Job 6
 Job felt his friends were deceiving him when he needed pity
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Text
Explanation
Job responds
 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. 
  1 - Answered Eliphaz had just finished speaking jb0401.
  2 - Throughly weighed Or "Oh, that instead of censuring my complaints when thou oughtest rather to have sympathized with me, thou wouldst accurately compare my sorrow, and my misfortunes; these latter 'outweigh in the balance' the former." (JFB commentary)
  3 - My words Job feels that he has said too much.
.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! [and see below].
 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?

  9 - To destroy me Death would seem to be a release for Job but there is never a hint of suicide. Job knew that taking his life would be a violation of the principle of respect for the life God had given ex2013. We would not conclude that we must maintain breathing for a brain-dead person or make great efforts to sustain a miserable situation. We may pray for wisdom. Also, ideas of suicide often result from turning thoughts inward, a sort of selfishness. Depression is experienced by many people. It is important to cling to Christ during the dark times realizing that the sun shines above the clouds. Satan’s evil angels are ready to influence our thoughts in whatever destructive temptation that seems open.
 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.
  15 - My brethren ... brook An idea that Job develops at jb2418
  20 Confounded Or "put to shame." ps00610, ps02502.
  21 - Casting down Literally "Terror." Job's friends fear that God had cursed him and didn't feel safe.
 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?
  24 - Teach me Job's friends had condemned him as receiving the results of his bad behavior. Now he asks for evidence. Compare jb0101.
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