But Job answered and said,
Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.
Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.
Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?
Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;
Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.
Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?
Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.
Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.
Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?
Job 6 delves into the depths of human suffering and the complexities of friendship amidst immense pain. In this chapter, Job, overwhelmed by his circumstances, responds to Eliphaz's accusations, laying bare his anguish and questioning the very nature of his relationship with God. This passage is a powerful exploration of despair, integrity, and the desperate need for genuine compassion in times of crisis.
The Weight of Unjust Suffering (Job 6:1-7)
Job begins by acknowledging the immensity of his grief. He doesn't shy away from expressing the overwhelming burden he feels, stating that his sorrow is heavier than the sand of the sea (Job 6:2-3). This is not a mere complaint, but a raw and honest depiction of the unbearable weight he carries. He feels as though God Himself is attacking him, relentlessly firing arrows of judgment (Job 6:4). Job’s pain isn't just physical; it's a profound sense of being targeted and abandoned by the Almighty. The intensity of his suffering justifies, in his mind, his cries of anguish. He's not complaining without reason; he's reacting to an unimaginable ordeal.
Job uses vivid imagery to describe his plight. He compares his words to tasteless food (Job 6:6-7), suggesting that his suffering has robbed him of his ability to find joy or satisfaction in anything. Everything feels bland and unpalatable. This paints a picture of utter desolation, where even the simplest pleasures are gone.
A Desire for Relief and the Sting of False Comfort (Job 6:8-13)
In the midst of his pain, Job expresses a desire for death, not as an act of defiance, but as a release from his torment (Job 6:8-9). He longs for God to crush him, to end his suffering once and for all. It's a desperate plea born out of utter exhaustion. Yet, even in this dark moment, Job clings to a remnant of hope. He maintains that he has not denied the words of the Holy One (Job 6:10), affirming his integrity even as he faces unimaginable hardship.
Job questions his own strength and endurance (Job 6:11-13). He feels he lacks the resilience to continue bearing this burden. He asks what strength he has to keep hoping, what end he has to prolong his life. He feels that he is at the end of his rope, unable to endure any more.
The Disappointment of Unreliable Friends (Job 6:14-23)
Job then turns his attention to his friends, expressing his profound disappointment in their lack of compassion. He expected comfort and support, but instead, he finds accusation and judgment. He feels betrayed by those who should have been his allies in this time of need. Job says his friends are treacherous like a wadi that dries up in the summer heat (Job 6:15-20). They offer promises of help, but when the need is greatest, they vanish, leaving him stranded in his suffering. This imagery highlights the unreliability of those who offer empty words without genuine empathy.
Job challenges his friends to examine his situation more closely (Job 6:22-23). He asks if he has demanded anything of them, if he has burdened them with his requests. He points out that he has not asked them to fight his battles or redeem him from his oppressors. His point is that their accusations are unwarranted and their lack of compassion is unjustified.
A Plea for Honesty and Understanding (Job 6:24-30)
Job implores Eliphaz to show him where he has erred, promising to listen and correct his ways if he is indeed at fault (Job 6:24-25). He believes that honest words are powerful, but that Eliphaz's rebuke has been ineffective and unhelpful. He challenges them to tell him what he has done wrong. He promises that if Eliphaz gets it right, he will admit his sin.
He pleads with Eliphaz to look at him with honesty and integrity, assuring him that he is not lying (Job 6:28-30). He emphasizes his righteousness and his willingness to be corrected if he is truly in error. He wants Eliphaz to remember that he really was dealing with a man of integrity.
The Futility of Life and a Challenge to God (Job 6:17-21, implied in Tony Evans' Commentary)
While not explicitly stated in Job 6, the commentary suggests that Job laments the futility and emptiness of life (Job 7:1-5). He questions why God would inflict such pain on him for no apparent reason. This sets the stage for Job's ongoing struggle to understand God's purpose in his suffering. Job's challenge to God is essentially, what have I done to deserve this? (Job 6:17-21).
Key Takeaways from Job 6
Job 6 is a powerful expression of human suffering and a poignant reminder of the importance of genuine compassion. We learn that:
- Suffering is not always a sign of wrongdoing. Job maintains his innocence, highlighting the fact that pain and hardship can befall even the righteous.
- True friendship offers comfort and understanding, not accusation and judgment. Job's disappointment in his friends underscores the importance of empathy in times of crisis.
- Honesty and integrity are essential, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. Job's willingness to be corrected demonstrates his commitment to truth.
- Despair can lead to questioning God, but it doesn't necessarily equate to a loss of faith. Job's struggle is a testament to the complexity of faith in the midst of suffering.
Job 6 invites us to examine our own responses to suffering, both in ourselves and in others. It challenges us to offer genuine compassion, to listen with empathy, and to avoid the temptation to judge those who are in pain. This chapter reminds us that even in the darkest of times, the pursuit of truth and the maintenance of integrity can offer a glimmer of hope. This chapter serves as a stark reminder of the importance of offering genuine support and understanding to those who are suffering, rather than adding to their burden with judgment and empty platitudes. Job's story encourages us to be present, to listen, and to offer comfort in times of need.
But Job answered and said,
Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.
Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.
Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?
Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;
Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.
Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?
Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.
Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.
Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?
Job 6 delves into the depths of human suffering and the complexities of friendship amidst immense pain. In this chapter, Job, overwhelmed by his circumstances, responds to Eliphaz's accusations, laying bare his anguish and questioning the very nature of his relationship with God. This passage is a powerful exploration of despair, integrity, and the desperate need for genuine compassion in times of crisis.
The Weight of Unjust Suffering (Job 6:1-7)
Job begins by acknowledging the immensity of his grief. He doesn't shy away from expressing the overwhelming burden he feels, stating that his sorrow is heavier than the sand of the sea (Job 6:2-3). This is not a mere complaint, but a raw and honest depiction of the unbearable weight he carries. He feels as though God Himself is attacking him, relentlessly firing arrows of judgment (Job 6:4). Job’s pain isn't just physical; it's a profound sense of being targeted and abandoned by the Almighty. The intensity of his suffering justifies, in his mind, his cries of anguish. He's not complaining without reason; he's reacting to an unimaginable ordeal.
Job uses vivid imagery to describe his plight. He compares his words to tasteless food (Job 6:6-7), suggesting that his suffering has robbed him of his ability to find joy or satisfaction in anything. Everything feels bland and unpalatable. This paints a picture of utter desolation, where even the simplest pleasures are gone.
A Desire for Relief and the Sting of False Comfort (Job 6:8-13)
In the midst of his pain, Job expresses a desire for death, not as an act of defiance, but as a release from his torment (Job 6:8-9). He longs for God to crush him, to end his suffering once and for all. It's a desperate plea born out of utter exhaustion. Yet, even in this dark moment, Job clings to a remnant of hope. He maintains that he has not denied the words of the Holy One (Job 6:10), affirming his integrity even as he faces unimaginable hardship.
Job questions his own strength and endurance (Job 6:11-13). He feels he lacks the resilience to continue bearing this burden. He asks what strength he has to keep hoping, what end he has to prolong his life. He feels that he is at the end of his rope, unable to endure any more.
The Disappointment of Unreliable Friends (Job 6:14-23)
Job then turns his attention to his friends, expressing his profound disappointment in their lack of compassion. He expected comfort and support, but instead, he finds accusation and judgment. He feels betrayed by those who should have been his allies in this time of need. Job says his friends are treacherous like a wadi that dries up in the summer heat (Job 6:15-20). They offer promises of help, but when the need is greatest, they vanish, leaving him stranded in his suffering. This imagery highlights the unreliability of those who offer empty words without genuine empathy.
Job challenges his friends to examine his situation more closely (Job 6:22-23). He asks if he has demanded anything of them, if he has burdened them with his requests. He points out that he has not asked them to fight his battles or redeem him from his oppressors. His point is that their accusations are unwarranted and their lack of compassion is unjustified.
A Plea for Honesty and Understanding (Job 6:24-30)
Job implores Eliphaz to show him where he has erred, promising to listen and correct his ways if he is indeed at fault (Job 6:24-25). He believes that honest words are powerful, but that Eliphaz's rebuke has been ineffective and unhelpful. He challenges them to tell him what he has done wrong. He promises that if Eliphaz gets it right, he will admit his sin.
He pleads with Eliphaz to look at him with honesty and integrity, assuring him that he is not lying (Job 6:28-30). He emphasizes his righteousness and his willingness to be corrected if he is truly in error. He wants Eliphaz to remember that he really was dealing with a man of integrity.
The Futility of Life and a Challenge to God (Job 6:17-21, implied in Tony Evans' Commentary)
While not explicitly stated in Job 6, the commentary suggests that Job laments the futility and emptiness of life (Job 7:1-5). He questions why God would inflict such pain on him for no apparent reason. This sets the stage for Job's ongoing struggle to understand God's purpose in his suffering. Job's challenge to God is essentially, what have I done to deserve this? (Job 6:17-21).
Key Takeaways from Job 6
Job 6 is a powerful expression of human suffering and a poignant reminder of the importance of genuine compassion. We learn that:
- Suffering is not always a sign of wrongdoing. Job maintains his innocence, highlighting the fact that pain and hardship can befall even the righteous.
- True friendship offers comfort and understanding, not accusation and judgment. Job's disappointment in his friends underscores the importance of empathy in times of crisis.
- Honesty and integrity are essential, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. Job's willingness to be corrected demonstrates his commitment to truth.
- Despair can lead to questioning God, but it doesn't necessarily equate to a loss of faith. Job's struggle is a testament to the complexity of faith in the midst of suffering.
Job 6 invites us to examine our own responses to suffering, both in ourselves and in others. It challenges us to offer genuine compassion, to listen with empathy, and to avoid the temptation to judge those who are in pain. This chapter reminds us that even in the darkest of times, the pursuit of truth and the maintenance of integrity can offer a glimmer of hope. This chapter serves as a stark reminder of the importance of offering genuine support and understanding to those who are suffering, rather than adding to their burden with judgment and empty platitudes. Job's story encourages us to be present, to listen, and to offer comfort in times of need.