Hello David. In Job chapter 6, Job is responding to what Eliphaz was speaking to him in the previous couple of chapters. Eliphaz was essentially urging Job to simply bear up (be patient) & submit to God, the God Who would bless him if he would repent of sins, for which he was suffering ( Job 5:17: "Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty").
Now in chapter 6, Job is responding to Eliphaz that the impatience with which he is being charged & the agony that he is bearing, be weighed against the great calamities he has experienced ( Job 6:1-4).
Then in v5, Job asks a couple of questions: 'does the ass complain when it has food and likewise the ox?' The expected answer is, 'No, they are satisfied when there's enough to eat'. Likewise, Job says that he does not complain without good reason, just as those animals. Rather, he has lost his taste for life: just as anyone would refrain from eating saltless/inspid food as also when eating just the white of an egg which has no taste of its own, so to his sufferings (which were undeserved) have now become his detestable portion in life. If it was that easy for Job to overcome his sufferings as simply adding salt to food or flavor to an egg, he would certainly do it. But in vv 8 & 9, Job longs for relief from God, or if none comes, that God would shorten his life so that his sufferings would finally end.
How wonderfully stated. I wholeheartedly agree with you. I'm just bringing out that in my own life, and I know it rings true in others, that when going through tough situations, if I wallow in self-pity and say woe is me, then what effect does the crisis have in me? Could there be more? I believe there is more to every situation, if we will truly turn to God and ask him to "reveal the deeper "why", then that's when we grow and truly change. Our victory is to bring all honor and glory to him one moment at a time.
I think the emphasis is not on the one being consoled; but the friend who is consoling as verse 15 indicates. This was the characteristic of the majority of the book of Job; who initially were silent as he stood with sackcloth and ashes and said nothing.
Unfortunately; human nature which is unstable as water cannot be counted on for steadfastness once the fear of God is removed; and self serving attitudes crop up. We are not naturally inclined to bear burdens of those who seem unpleasant; or in Job's case stink from open wounds. A lot of people don't feel like being around depressed individuals; or to share burdens generally.
This isn't even the biggest problem here: God Himself if anything was even harsher with Job; but gave him a worthy rebuke in that His attributes were perfect. Rather than emphasizing some self righteousness that his "friends" didn't really possess; He stands alone as being totally righeous; and therefore in all ways unattainable. The proper reaction is to be on our faces before Him. And the whole assembly; including apparently Job himself was unaware that Satan was the instigator here; who God allowed twice to affect first with the disasters with those in his personal circles; then to Job himself; limiting his life only to be spared. He was still stated to be a righteous man; the greatest of that land. There was never any indication that his possessions were anything but a blessing from God; as he alone seemed concerned about the attitudes of his family who he prayed for daily; and sacrificially. So with not knowing the source of his troubles; he blames God and is confused. Ultimately; the Lord "creates good and evil" ( Isaiah 45:7); but also is not the author of confusion; and cannot lie. This in the end exalted Job to an even higher standard. We should observe the mandate to pray for his friends BEFORE restoration; as this could have held back Job from these blessings if he had a hardened heart.
Meaning of Job 6:14 - In Reply on Job 6 - 2 years ago
Benson Commentary
Job 6:14. To him that is afflicted - Hebrew, To him that is melted, or dissolved with afflictions: or, as Dr. Waterland renders it, To one that is wasting away; pity should be showed from his friend - His friend, such as thou, O Eliphaz, pretendest to be to me, should show kindness and compassion in his judgment of him, and behaviour toward him, and not pass such unmerciful censures upon him as thou hast passed upon me, nor load him with reproaches; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty - Thou hast no love or pity for thy friend; a plain evidence that thou art guilty of what thou didst charge me with, even of the want of the fear of God. The least which those that are at ease can do for them that are pained, is to pity them, to feel a tender concern for them, and to sympathize with them.
Job 6:14 To him that is afflicted (troubled physically or mentally no matter the circumstances around the affliction) then pity should be shown to that friend. What is pity? Sympathetic sorrow should be shown to a friend. . . .But, he forsaketh (to renounce or turn away from entirely) the fear (profound reverence and awe especially toward God) of the Almighty.
I think this verse is trying to tell us to show sympathetic sorrow and understanding towards a Christian friend, and understand that those "troubles" are caused by not keeping reverence and awe toward the Father. Looking back on my life, I can see how I've missed it.
Robin: I suggest that when you are reading or studying the King James Bible you search online and pull up a King James Bible dictionary based on Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary. Webster's first dictionary included definitions for many of the words used in the King James Bible. Although many of the words from the KJV are still in use today, such as unicorn, the commonly held definitions for those words have changed since the 1769 version of the King James Bible was published.
Hi Robin. The unicorn is a mythological beast, depicted as a horse with a horn from its forehead. However, in the Bible, the references to unicorn are commonly understood to be a wild ox (Hebrew: reem), which was known for its strength. Now, whether there is a wild ox, past or present, having a horn, or whether a rhinocerous is inferred, can only be a guess. Numbers 23:22 speaks of the unicorn's strength; Psalm 92:10: having a horn. So, clearly this was a strong savage beast & probably one that couldn't be domesticated (see Job 39:10: such an animal couldn't be used for ploughing & field work, such was its nature & strength).
Job thought he sinned against the Father and wished to die, he lost everything, he was being tested and he showed little faith at one point, he felt the spirit had left him, he was cursed. We all feel this at times, we all have trials and tribs, but at the end always keep in faith, and trust in the Lord no matter what, stay strong in the word, and bless God always and thank him for his mercies
From what I understand, Job didn’t have the Law as written by Moses, during this time. Have always wanted to know who were his contemporaries......was it Enoch or Noah?
If we could find out how close in time and place that Job was to battles involving ‘Tema’ and ‘Sheba’ we’d know more about Job’s time me thinks
Verses 2,3~Job was in great anguish and as a consequence he began to speak wild talk. Jehovah God understood his pain and why he spoke the way that he did.
there is wisdom in ever thing JOB said however i have not seen anyone coment on verce 24 this applys to all of us even me .also every one speeks what they believe .and not what JOB said .JOB was a profet and he was taught by his creater
I want to know more of His Word, most times Mathew Henry's commentary is difficult to understand. May I suggest he uses simpler words, no offense. Thank you
I believe that the chapter, in fact the book and life of Job clearly show that "Our Times are in His Hands" and that God knows the limit of our strength and courage. We can go for the prosperity concept and suffer huge disappointment or BELIEVE that Our Times are indeed in HIS HANDS. God Bless as we come to terms with the WORK of GOD in our own lives. Stan Almendro
I WILL LET NOTHING SEPRATE ME FROM THE LOVE OF GOD. FOR WE ALL HAVE A CROSS TO CARRY, BUT THE BATTLE IS NOT OURS IT BELONG TO THE LORD. SO WE ALREADY HAVE THE VICTORY, THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR.
i think it has a big impact on everyone that is going threw a hard time (i'm one)!!! I have been going threw i think the hardest trial of my life for some time now and just today the lord has laid it in my heart to read the whole book of job. It's amazing how every verse speaks to my soul and how just writing this here has lifted me up. Life is all what you make of it and THANK GOD i have giving mine to the lord to lead and direct in his holy paths. I really need prayer to anyone that take time to read this and i'm going to pray for you all also right now on my knees. We got to stick together because we all are family in christ I love ya'll!!!!!
“It is important to be able to humble ourselves before God, especially when faced with trials and sorrow. Having a spirit of self-rightousness blinds us from gaining true insight orwisdom and will block us from the blessing of God. How thankful we should be that Jesus loved us enough to endure extreme mental and physical torture to save our souls!”
Now in chapter 6, Job is responding to Eliphaz that the impatience with which he is being charged & the agony that he is bearing, be weighed against the great calamities he has experienced ( Job 6:1-4).
Then in v5, Job asks a couple of questions: 'does the ass complain when it has food and likewise the ox?' The expected answer is, 'No, they are satisfied when there's enough to eat'. Likewise, Job says that he does not complain without good reason, just as those animals. Rather, he has lost his taste for life: just as anyone would refrain from eating saltless/inspid food as also when eating just the white of an egg which has no taste of its own, so to his sufferings (which were undeserved) have now become his detestable portion in life. If it was that easy for Job to overcome his sufferings as simply adding salt to food or flavor to an egg, he would certainly do it. But in vv 8 & 9, Job longs for relief from God, or if none comes, that God would shorten his life so that his sufferings would finally end.
"Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?"
The second question is just a repeatition of the first, is there any taste in the white of an egg (that is the unsavoury) if it has no salt on it?
Unfortunately; human nature which is unstable as water cannot be counted on for steadfastness once the fear of God is removed; and self serving attitudes crop up. We are not naturally inclined to bear burdens of those who seem unpleasant; or in Job's case stink from open wounds. A lot of people don't feel like being around depressed individuals; or to share burdens generally.
This isn't even the biggest problem here: God Himself if anything was even harsher with Job; but gave him a worthy rebuke in that His attributes were perfect. Rather than emphasizing some self righteousness that his "friends" didn't really possess; He stands alone as being totally righeous; and therefore in all ways unattainable. The proper reaction is to be on our faces before Him. And the whole assembly; including apparently Job himself was unaware that Satan was the instigator here; who God allowed twice to affect first with the disasters with those in his personal circles; then to Job himself; limiting his life only to be spared. He was still stated to be a righteous man; the greatest of that land. There was never any indication that his possessions were anything but a blessing from God; as he alone seemed concerned about the attitudes of his family who he prayed for daily; and sacrificially. So with not knowing the source of his troubles; he blames God and is confused. Ultimately; the Lord "creates good and evil" ( Isaiah 45:7); but also is not the author of confusion; and cannot lie. This in the end exalted Job to an even higher standard. We should observe the mandate to pray for his friends BEFORE restoration; as this could have held back Job from these blessings if he had a hardened heart.
Job 6:14. To him that is afflicted - Hebrew, To him that is melted, or dissolved with afflictions: or, as Dr. Waterland renders it, To one that is wasting away; pity should be showed from his friend - His friend, such as thou, O Eliphaz, pretendest to be to me, should show kindness and compassion in his judgment of him, and behaviour toward him, and not pass such unmerciful censures upon him as thou hast passed upon me, nor load him with reproaches; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty - Thou hast no love or pity for thy friend; a plain evidence that thou art guilty of what thou didst charge me with, even of the want of the fear of God. The least which those that are at ease can do for them that are pained, is to pity them, to feel a tender concern for them, and to sympathize with them.
I think this verse is trying to tell us to show sympathetic sorrow and understanding towards a Christian friend, and understand that those "troubles" are caused by not keeping reverence and awe toward the Father. Looking back on my life, I can see how I've missed it.
Robin Reed
Roanoke, va
Robin Reed
I enjoyed Reading and making comments on my favorite verses.
I am anticipating reading the comments of other people. It is
such a blessing and I want to know when this part of the online
restart.
Thanks!
Marilyn J. Thompson
If we could find out how close in time and place that Job was to battles involving ‘Tema’ and ‘Sheba’ we’d know more about Job’s time me thinks
God#1Sdh#2
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