Then Job answered and said,
How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?
These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.
And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself.
If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach:
Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net.
Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment.
He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths.
He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head.
He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath he removed like a tree.
He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me unto him as one of his enemies.
His troops come together, and raise up their way against me, and encamp round about my tabernacle.
He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me.
My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.
They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight.
I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my mouth.
My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children’s sake of mine own body.
Yea, young children despised me; I arose, and they spake against me.
All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me.
My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.
Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.
Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?
Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!
That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?
Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.
Job 19 offers a raw and powerful glimpse into the depths of human suffering and the persistent flicker of faith that refuses to be extinguished. In this chapter, we witness Job, stripped bare by loss and tormented by the accusations of his friends, wrestling with God and clinging to a hope that transcends his present pain. His words are a mixture of bitter complaint and profound declaration of faith, a testament to the complex and often contradictory nature of human experience in the face of overwhelming adversity.
The Crushing Weight of Loss and Accusation (Job 19:1-20)
Job begins his response to Bildad by expressing his deep frustration and hurt. Tony Evans notes that Job's lament about being humiliated "ten times" (Job 19:3) is a Hebrew idiom signifying "often." This emphasizes the relentless nature of his friends' attacks. He feels betrayed not only by his circumstances but also by those who should be offering him comfort. He accuses them of persecuting him, even as he perceives God to be doing the same (Job 19:21-22).
Job feels isolated and abandoned. He cries out that God has wronged him, trapping him in a net (Job 19:6). He details the extent of his losses: his possessions, his health, and his social standing. Even his family and closest friends have turned against him (Job 19:13-19). "Those I love have turned against me," he laments, highlighting the profound sense of loneliness and despair that consumes him (Job 19:19). The weight of these losses, compounded by the relentless accusations of his friends, pushes Job to the brink.
A Declaration of Faith Amidst the Ruins (Job 19:25-27)
In the midst of this darkness, a spark of hope ignites. Job makes a powerful declaration of faith that has resonated through the centuries: "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God" (Job 19:25-26).
This is a pivotal moment in the book of Job. Despite his suffering and his accusations against God, Job affirms his belief in a Redeemer who will ultimately vindicate him. The identity of this Redeemer is not explicitly stated, but Job's confidence in Him is unwavering.
The interpretation of Job 19:26 has been debated for centuries. Does Job anticipate a bodily resurrection? Tony Evans suggests that this passage could be the earliest evidence of the doctrine of bodily resurrection in Scripture. Whether or not Job fully understood the implications of his statement, his words express a profound hope that death is not the end, and that he will ultimately see God.
This declaration of faith is not a denial of Job's suffering, but rather a statement of hope that transcends it. It is a testament to the power of faith to endure even in the face of unimaginable adversity. It serves as a powerful reminder that even when we feel abandoned and alone, God is still present and active in our lives.
A Warning to the Accusers (Job 19:28-29)
Empowered by his faith, Job turns his attention back to his friends, warning them against misinterpreting God and opening themselves up for judgment (Job 19:28-29). He recognizes the danger of speaking presumptuously about God's ways, particularly when those ways are shrouded in mystery. He understands that their accusations against him are not only hurtful but also potentially blasphemous.
Job's warning serves as a reminder that we should approach the topic of suffering with humility and compassion. We should be careful not to judge or condemn those who are struggling, but rather to offer them comfort and support.
Enduring Relevance of Job 19
Job 19 offers a powerful message of hope and resilience. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, faith can provide a source of strength and comfort. It challenges us to examine our own beliefs about suffering and to approach those who are struggling with compassion and understanding. Job 19 continues to inspire and encourage readers to cling to hope, even when surrounded by despair. It is a testament to the enduring power of faith and the promise of redemption that transcends earthly suffering, resonating with readers seeking solace and understanding in the face of life's inevitable challenges. Job's journey, encapsulated in this chapter, serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of faith, perseverance, and the ultimate triumph of hope over despair.
Then Job answered and said,
How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?
These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.
And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself.
If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach:
Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net.
Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment.
He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths.
He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head.
He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath he removed like a tree.
He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me unto him as one of his enemies.
His troops come together, and raise up their way against me, and encamp round about my tabernacle.
He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me.
My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.
They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight.
I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my mouth.
My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children’s sake of mine own body.
Yea, young children despised me; I arose, and they spake against me.
All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me.
My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.
Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.
Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?
Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!
That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?
Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.
Job 19 offers a raw and powerful glimpse into the depths of human suffering and the persistent flicker of faith that refuses to be extinguished. In this chapter, we witness Job, stripped bare by loss and tormented by the accusations of his friends, wrestling with God and clinging to a hope that transcends his present pain. His words are a mixture of bitter complaint and profound declaration of faith, a testament to the complex and often contradictory nature of human experience in the face of overwhelming adversity.
The Crushing Weight of Loss and Accusation (Job 19:1-20)
Job begins his response to Bildad by expressing his deep frustration and hurt. Tony Evans notes that Job's lament about being humiliated "ten times" (Job 19:3) is a Hebrew idiom signifying "often." This emphasizes the relentless nature of his friends' attacks. He feels betrayed not only by his circumstances but also by those who should be offering him comfort. He accuses them of persecuting him, even as he perceives God to be doing the same (Job 19:21-22).
Job feels isolated and abandoned. He cries out that God has wronged him, trapping him in a net (Job 19:6). He details the extent of his losses: his possessions, his health, and his social standing. Even his family and closest friends have turned against him (Job 19:13-19). "Those I love have turned against me," he laments, highlighting the profound sense of loneliness and despair that consumes him (Job 19:19). The weight of these losses, compounded by the relentless accusations of his friends, pushes Job to the brink.
A Declaration of Faith Amidst the Ruins (Job 19:25-27)
In the midst of this darkness, a spark of hope ignites. Job makes a powerful declaration of faith that has resonated through the centuries: "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God" (Job 19:25-26).
This is a pivotal moment in the book of Job. Despite his suffering and his accusations against God, Job affirms his belief in a Redeemer who will ultimately vindicate him. The identity of this Redeemer is not explicitly stated, but Job's confidence in Him is unwavering.
The interpretation of Job 19:26 has been debated for centuries. Does Job anticipate a bodily resurrection? Tony Evans suggests that this passage could be the earliest evidence of the doctrine of bodily resurrection in Scripture. Whether or not Job fully understood the implications of his statement, his words express a profound hope that death is not the end, and that he will ultimately see God.
This declaration of faith is not a denial of Job's suffering, but rather a statement of hope that transcends it. It is a testament to the power of faith to endure even in the face of unimaginable adversity. It serves as a powerful reminder that even when we feel abandoned and alone, God is still present and active in our lives.
A Warning to the Accusers (Job 19:28-29)
Empowered by his faith, Job turns his attention back to his friends, warning them against misinterpreting God and opening themselves up for judgment (Job 19:28-29). He recognizes the danger of speaking presumptuously about God's ways, particularly when those ways are shrouded in mystery. He understands that their accusations against him are not only hurtful but also potentially blasphemous.
Job's warning serves as a reminder that we should approach the topic of suffering with humility and compassion. We should be careful not to judge or condemn those who are struggling, but rather to offer them comfort and support.
Enduring Relevance of Job 19
Job 19 offers a powerful message of hope and resilience. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, faith can provide a source of strength and comfort. It challenges us to examine our own beliefs about suffering and to approach those who are struggling with compassion and understanding. Job 19 continues to inspire and encourage readers to cling to hope, even when surrounded by despair. It is a testament to the enduring power of faith and the promise of redemption that transcends earthly suffering, resonating with readers seeking solace and understanding in the face of life's inevitable challenges. Job's journey, encapsulated in this chapter, serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of faith, perseverance, and the ultimate triumph of hope over despair.