An insight from Week 5 Job 11-14 from Corinne

Did anyone notice in 13:26

"For You write bitter things against me
         And make me to inherit the iniquities of my youth.

I am not sure here if Job is speaking his case to God or if he is just defending himself before his friends. It does not matter. The point is that he refers to iniquities of his youth. Who does not have iniquities in their youth that might bring some self doubt in older ages. Such things cause us to loose our feelings of well being about ourselves.  No matter how wonderful a person you are turning out to be as you mature you still are haunted the past. The end result is that you always have an internal question the “YES BUTS” that make it almost impossible to feel righteous at all. It makes it hard to listen to affirmations or even to look the compliment giver in the eyes when they speak. It is because we are aware of our own underbelly. Was this tormenting Job, and is this why he seems to be always going back and forth in his talk?

And yet in 14:16-17  he says…

"For now You number my steps,
         You do not observe my sin.
    "My transgression is sealed up in a bag,
         And You wrap up my iniquity.

Could the whole value to Job be that he is learning to let go of his former shortcomings and see himself as God sees him?