1 But Job answered and said,
2 Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
4 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.
5 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
6 Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there [any] taste in the white of an egg?
7 The things [that] my soul refused to touch [are] as my sorrowful meat.
8 Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant [me] the thing that I long for!
9 Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
10 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.
11 What [is] my strength, that I should hope? and what [is] mine end, that I should prolong my life?
12 [Is] my strength the strength of stones? or [is] my flesh of brass?
13 [Is] not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
14 To him that is afflicted pity [should be shewed] from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, [and] as the stream of brooks they pass away;
16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, [and] wherein the snow is hid:
17 What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18 The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
21 For now ye are nothing; ye see [my] casting down, and are afraid.
22 Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
26 Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, [which are] as wind?
27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig [a pit] for your friend.
28 Now therefore be content, look upon me; for [it is] evident unto you if I lie.
29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness [is] in it.
30 Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?
Overview of Job Chapter 6
Job Chapter 6 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Book of Job, where Job responds to his friends’ attempts to comfort him amid his suffering. This chapter highlights Job’s deep anguish, his desire for understanding, and his struggle with the perceived silence of God in the face of his suffering.
Job’s Response to Eliphaz
In this chapter, Job addresses Eliphaz’s previous remarks and expresses his feelings of despair. His response is marked by a combination of frustration, sorrow, and a longing for relief.
Key Themes
- Suffering and Despair: Job articulates the depth of his pain and the weight of his afflictions.
- Desire for Understanding: Job yearns for clarity regarding his suffering and questions the reasons behind it.
- Friendship and Support: Job critiques the responses of his friends, emphasizing the inadequacy of their comfort.
- Divine Justice: Job grapples with the concept of justice and the nature of God’s governance in the world.
Detailed Analysis
- Verses 1-3: Job’s Expression of Pain
Job begins by expressing that his words are not merely a reflection of his suffering but are filled with the weight of his anguish. He feels that his pain is so severe that it cannot be adequately conveyed.
- Verses 4-7: The Nature of His Suffering
Job compares his suffering to arrows from God, indicating that he feels attacked and overwhelmed. He states that his spirit is broken, and he longs for comfort, yet he finds none. This illustrates the depth of his emotional and spiritual turmoil.
- Verses 8-10: A Wish for Death
In these verses, Job expresses a desire for death as a release from his suffering. He wishes for God to grant him his request, believing that death would be better than his current state. This reflects the extremity of his despair.
- Verses 11-13: Questioning His Strength
Job questions his ability to endure his suffering. He feels that he lacks the strength to continue and doubts the presence of any support or hope. This highlights his isolation in his suffering.
- Verses 14-23: Critique of His Friends
Job turns his attention to his friends, criticizing their lack of empathy and understanding. He expects loyalty and support from them, yet feels betrayed by their judgment and inability to grasp his plight.
- Verses 24-30: A Call for Accountability
Job challenges his friends to confront him with truth and clarity. He desires honesty in their discourse, urging them to not shy away from the reality of his suffering. He seeks a genuine dialogue rather than platitudes.
Conclusion
Job Chapter 6 serves as a powerful exploration of human suffering, the quest for understanding, and the complexities of friendship in times of distress. Job’s raw honesty and vulnerability resonate with readers, inviting them to reflect on their own experiences of pain and the nature of divine justice. This chapter sets the stage for the ongoing dialogue between Job and his friends, emphasizing the need for compassion and understanding in the face of suffering.
