Job Complains to God
June 20, 2019
Commentary
When people suffer so much that their “spirit is broken” they often lose their “fight’ and want life to end (vv. 1-2). It seems this may have been the way Job felt as he sensed that death may be very near. His friends were against him and would not go to court or “post bond” for him (vv. 3-5). People treated him as if he were the scum of the earth (v. 6). His body looked like a shadow of what it had been (v. 7). Job believed that the upright would be so appalled by this that they would go against the godless (v. 8). Even if all was not as it might have been, the righteous should hold on to “his way” because he would grow stronger and stronger for having done so (v. 9).
In a sarcastic way, Job challenges his three friends to try to find some wrongdoing in his life, but they could not because they were not wise (v. 10). His life was fading, his plans and desires were unfulfilled, and his hope of restoration was unrealistic (vv. 11-12). Job thought that the only way out was the grave where there was darkness (v. 13) and corruption by the worm (v. 14) which would be closer to him in the grave than his nearest relatives. As he had said on three previous occasions, he had no hope of ever recovering. Job had expressed hope that God would vindicate him even after death, but his hope was almost gone (v. 15). However, at no time did he ever consider taking his own life. Life is a sacred gift from God, and only God can give it and has the authority to take it away. His body, which is so weary and so sick, is ready to return to the dust (v. 16).
Application
I must never evaluate life only in terms of this present world, because God promises a never ending, wonderful future for me, if I am faithful to Him.
Job 17:1– 16 (NET)
1 My spirit is broken, my days have faded out, the grave awaits me.
2 Surely mockery is with me; my eyes must dwell on their hostility.
3 Set my pledge beside you. Who else will put up security for me?
4 Because you have closed their minds to understanding, therefore you will not exalt them.
5 If a man denounces his friends for personal gain, the eyes of his children will fail.
6 He has made me a byword to people, I am the one in whose face they spit.
7 My eyes have grown dim with grief; my whole frame is but a shadow.
8 Upright men are appalled at this; the innocent man is troubled with the godless.
9 But the righteous man holds to his way, and the one with clean hands grows stronger.
10 “But turn, all of you, and come now! I will not find a wise man among you.
11 My days have passed, my plans are shattered, even the desires of my heart.
12 These men change night into day; they say, ‘The light is near in the face of darkness.’
13 If I hope for the grave to be my home, if I spread out my bed in darkness,
14 if I cry out to corruption, ‘You are my father,’ and to the worm, ‘My mother,’ or ‘My sister,’
15 where then is my hope? And my hope, who sees it?
16 Will it go down to the barred gates of death? Will we descend together into the dust?”