Job 10:4
Do You have eyes of flesh? Do You see as man sees?
Do You have eyes of flesh?
In this phrase, Job is questioning God, using anthropomorphic language to express his deep anguish and confusion. The Hebrew word for "eyes" is "עֵינַיִם" (einaim), which often symbolizes perception or understanding. Job is essentially asking if God perceives the world with the same limitations as humans. The term "flesh" (בָּשָׂר, basar) in Hebrew signifies the mortal, transient nature of human beings. Job is grappling with the idea of divine perception versus human perception. In a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the transcendence of God, who is not limited by human frailties or biases. It serves as a reminder of God's omniscience and the assurance that His understanding surpasses human comprehension.

Or do You see as man sees?
Here, Job continues his rhetorical questioning, emphasizing the difference between divine and human vision. The Hebrew word for "see" is "רָאָה" (ra'ah), which implies not just physical sight but also insight and discernment. "Man" (אֱנוֹשׁ, enosh) refers to humanity in its frail and fallen state. Job is wrestling with the idea that God's judgment and understanding are far beyond human capabilities. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this phrase underscores the belief in God's perfect justice and wisdom. It reassures believers that God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9), and His judgments are true and righteous altogether (Psalm 19:9). This verse invites Christians to trust in God's perfect vision and understanding, even when human perspective is clouded by suffering and confusion.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and his quest for understanding God's justice.

2. God
The Almighty Creator, whom Job is addressing in this verse. Job is questioning God's perspective and understanding of human suffering.

3. The Land of Uz
The setting of the Book of Job, traditionally considered to be in the region of Edom or northern Arabia.

4. Job's Friends
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job to offer counsel but often misunderstand his plight and God's nature.

5. Suffering and Trials
The broader context of Job's life, marked by severe trials, including the loss of his children, wealth, and health.
Teaching Points
God's Perspective vs. Human Perspective
God's understanding and vision are not limited by human constraints. While humans see only the surface, God sees the heart and the bigger picture.

The Nature of Divine Justice
Job's question reflects a struggle to comprehend divine justice. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's perfect justice, even when it is not immediately apparent.

Faith in Times of Suffering
Job's honest questioning of God is a model for believers to bring their doubts and struggles to God in prayer, trusting that He hears and understands.

The Limitations of Human Wisdom
Human wisdom is finite and often flawed. Believers should seek God's wisdom and understanding through prayer and Scripture.

The Importance of Empathy and Understanding
Job's friends failed to empathize with his suffering. Believers are called to show compassion and seek to understand others' pain without judgment.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Job's question in Job 10:4 reflect his understanding of God's nature, and how can this inform our own view of God during difficult times?

2. In what ways can we remind ourselves of God's omniscience and perfect justice when we face situations that seem unfair or incomprehensible?

3. How does the contrast between God's perspective and human perspective, as seen in 1 Samuel 16:7 and Isaiah 55:8-9, challenge us to trust God more fully?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our responses to others' suffering are filled with empathy and understanding, rather than judgment?

5. How can we apply the lessons from Job's honest dialogue with God to our own prayer life, especially when we are struggling with doubt or confusion?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 16:7
This verse highlights that God does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. This connects to Job's question about God's perspective.

Isaiah 55:8-9
These verses emphasize that God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours, reinforcing the idea that God's perspective is beyond human understanding.

Hebrews 4:13
This verse speaks to God's omniscience, indicating that nothing in all creation is hidden from His sight, which contrasts with human limitations.
God's Vision of ManW.F. Adeney Job 10:4
The Supplicatory Cry of Deep SorrowE. Johnson Job 10:1-7
Appeal to the Justice, Knowledge, and Goodness of GodE. Johnson Job 10:1-22
Job's Mistaken Views of His SufferingsHomilistJob 10:3-17
Man is the Work of GodJoseph Caryl.Job 10:3-17
People
Job
Places
Uz
Topics
Flesh, Hast, Mortal, Sees, Seest
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 10:4

     5020   human nature

Job 10:2-22

     8615   prayer, doubts

Job 10:4-8

     1225   God, as Spirit

Library
The Sweet Uses of Adversity
Now, I propose to address myself to the two classes of persons who are making use of this question. First, I shall speak to the tried saint; and then I shall speak to the seeking sinner, who has been seeking peace and pardon through Christ, but who has not as yet found it, but, on the contrary, has been buffeted by the law, and driven away from the mercy-seat in despair. I. First, then, to THE CHILD OF GOD. I have--I know I have--in this great assembly, some who have come to Job's position. They
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

St Gregory the Great (Ad 540-604)
PART I Gregory was born at Rome, of a noble and wealthy family, in the year 540. In his youth he engaged in public business, and he rose to be proctor of Rome, which was one of the chief offices under the government. In this office he was much beloved and respected by the people. But about the age of thirty-five, a great change took place in his life. He resolved to forsake the pursuit of worldly honours, and spent all his wealth in founding seven monasteries. He gave up his family house at Rome
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation

Whether God Works in Every Agent?
Objection 1: It would seem that God does not work in every agent. For we must not attribute any insufficiency to God. If therefore God works in every agent, He works sufficiently in each one. Hence it would be superfluous for the created agent to work at all. Objection 2: Further, the same work cannot proceed at the same time from two sources; as neither can one and the same movement belong to two movable things. Therefore if the creature's operation is from God operating in the creature, it cannot
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Damned are in Material Darkness?
Objection 1: It would seem that the damned are not in material darkness. For commenting on Job 10:22, "But everlasting horror dwelleth," Gregory says (Moral. ix): "Although that fire will give no light for comfort, yet, that it may torment the more it does give light for a purpose, for by the light of its flame the wicked will see their followers whom they have drawn thither from the world." Therefore the darkness there is not material. Objection 2: Further, the damned see their own punishment, for
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Fire of Hell is of the Same Species as Ours?
Objection 1: It would seem that this fire is not of the same species as the corporeal fire which we see. For Augustine says (De Civ. Dei xx, 16): "In my opinion no man knows of what kind is the everlasting fire, unless the Spirit of God has revealed it to anyone." But all or nearly all know the nature of this fire of ours. Therefore that fire is not of the same species as this. Objection 2: Further, Gregory commenting on Job 10:26, "A fire that is not kindled shall devour him," says (Moral. xv):
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

That a Man Ought not to Reckon Himself Worthy of Consolation, but More Worthy of Chastisement
O Lord, I am not worthy of Thy consolation, nor of any spiritual visitation; and therefore Thou dealest justly with me, when Thou leavest me poor and desolate. For if I were able to pour forth tears like the sea, still should I not be worthy of Thy consolation. Therefore am I nothing worthy save to be scourged and punished, because I have grievously and many a time offended Thee, and in many things have greatly sinned. Therefore, true account being taken, I am not worthy even of the least of Thy
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

The Sad Case of a Relapse into Known and Deliberate Sin, after Solemn Acts Op Dedication to God and Some Progress Made in Religion.
1. Unthought of relapses may happen.--2. And bring the soul into a miserable case.--3. Yet the case is not desperate.--4. The backslider urged immediately to return, by deep humiliation before God for so aggravated an offence.--5. By renewed regards to the divine mercy in Christ.--6. By an open profession of repentance, where the crime hath given public offence.--7. Falls to be reviewed for future caution.--8. The chapter concludes with a prayer for the use of one who hath fallen into gross sins,
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

The Fourth Continental Journey.
1842-3. In the journey which now lay before them, John and Martha Yeardley were about to explore a part of Europe hitherto untried,--the province of Languedoc, conspicuous in past ages for its superior enlightenment, but now, owing to the temporary mastery of error, wrapt in ignorance and gloom. In this mission, the opportunities which they found for reviving and gathering together the scattered embers of truth, were nearly confined to social intercourse; in seeking occasions for which, they availed
John Yeardley—Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel

Whether Christ Went Down into the Hell of the Lost?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ went down into the hell of the lost, because it is said by the mouth of Divine Wisdom (Ecclus. 24:45): "I will penetrate to all the lower parts of the earth." But the hell of the lost is computed among the lower parts of the earth according to Ps. 62:10: "They shall go into the lower parts of the earth." Therefore Christ who is the Wisdom of God, went down even into the hell of the lost. Objection 2: Further, Peter says (Acts 2:24) that "God hath raised up Christ,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

In the Work of the Redemption of Man, not Only the Mercy, but Also the Justice, of God is Displayed.
In the work of the Redemption of man, not only the mercy, but also the justice, of God is displayed. 15. Man therefore was lawfully delivered up, but mercifully set free. Yet mercy was shown in such a way that a kind of justice was not lacking even in his liberation, since, as was most fitting for man's recovery, it was part of the mercy of the liberator to employ justice rather than power against man's enemy. For what could man, the slave of sin, fast bound by the devil, do of himself to recover
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

How the Whole and the Sick are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 13.) Differently to be admonished are the whole and the sick. For the whole are to be admonished that they employ the health of the body to the health of the soul: lest, if they turn the grace of granted soundness to the use of iniquity, they be made worse by the gift, and afterwards merit the severer punishments, in that they fear not now to use amiss the more bountiful gifts of God. The whole are to be admonished that they despise not the opportunity of winning health for ever.
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

How is Christ, as the Life, to be Applied by a Soul that Misseth God's Favour and Countenance.
The sixth case, that we shall speak a little to, is a deadness, occasioned by the Lord's hiding of himself, who is their life, and "the fountain of life," Ps. xxxvi. 9, and "whose loving-kindness is better than life," Ps. lxiii. 3, and "in whose favour is their life," Ps. xxx. 5. A case, which the frequent complaints of the saints manifest to be rife enough, concerning which we shall, 1. Shew some of the consequences of the Lord's hiding his face, whereby the soul's case will appear. 2. Shew the
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Beginning of Justification. In what Sense Progressive.
1. Men either idolatrous, profane, hypocritical, or regenerate. 1. Idolaters void of righteousness, full of unrighteousness, and hence in the sight of God altogether wretched and undone. 2. Still a great difference in the characters of men. This difference manifested. 1. In the gifts of God. 2. In the distinction between honorable and base. 3. In the blessings of he present life. 3. All human virtue, how praiseworthy soever it may appear, is corrupted. 1. By impurity of heart. 2. By the absence of
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Mercy of God
The next attribute is God's goodness or mercy. Mercy is the result and effect of God's goodness. Psa 33:5. So then this is the next attribute, God's goodness or mercy. The most learned of the heathens thought they gave their god Jupiter two golden characters when they styled him good and great. Both these meet in God, goodness and greatness, majesty and mercy. God is essentially good in himself and relatively good to us. They are both put together in Psa 119:98. Thou art good, and doest good.' This
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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