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Job 29:17
17 And I brake [shabar] the jaws [mathalla`ah] of the wicked [`avval], and plucked [shalak] the spoil [tereph] out of his teeth [shen]. KJV-Interlinear
17 'And I broke the jaws of the wicked, And snatched the prey from his teeth. NASB
Job was a good man. Job worked by means of the principles of righteousness and justice. Job was not a do-gooder, or some type of bleeding heart person. Job well understood that justice had to be served, in order for freedom and liberty to function, otherwise tyranny and chaos would reign.
The breaking of the jaws, the snatching of the prey, are applications of justice through a due process system of law.
An accused had to be convicted by means of evidence. Once convicted then an appropriate sentence was issued against him. Job approached justice with fairness, but also with brut force if required.
Jaws were not literally broken. This is an expression by which justice was applied to any given situation, in a fair and honorable way.
Job knew that evil existed in this world, and that evil had to be dealt with appropriately. There are some who can be turned around by means of an application of justice in their life, when they have made bad decisions, but too, there are those who will never change, regardless of the kindnesses that may be extended to them.
All unbelievers, at the end of human history, will be an example of this principle of unchangeable attitude, even in the face of a formidable execution.
Job was not shy about handing out severe punishments, in his capacity as a magistrate or judge, when the circumstances called for severity. Likewise, Job was not shy in ordering the confiscation or seizure of stolen property, and its return to its proper owner.
Job did not act in a vigilante capacity, but within the constraints of the law as it existed back in his day. Job was guided by the same principles of right and wrong as taught in the scriptures, as you are aware of, even in our current day.
As we have already studied, Job studied a matter brought before him, and searched out the truth. Job bent over backwards to help an accused, especially if he were unable to defend himself adequately. This would prevent someone in better circumstances from taking advantage of someone else, thus preventing the twisting of the law and preventing the distortion of justice.
