Job Six

by Dr. Henry M. Morris

(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)

Job 6:1 But Job answered and said,

Job 6:2 Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!

Job 6:3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.

Job 6:4 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.

Job 6:5 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?

Job 6:6 Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

Job 6:7 The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.

Job 6:8 Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

Job 6:9 Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

destroy me. Several times Job expressed his desire to die, but he never considers suicide, recognizing that only God, who gave life, had the right to decide when it should be ended.

Job 6:10 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.

words of the Holy One. Job had access somehow to “the words of the Holy One,” either by direct inspiration or, more likely, through some primitive Scriptures, which were only for the ages before the call of Moses (note Job 23:12).

Job 6:11 What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?

Job 6:12 Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?

Job 6:13 Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?

Job 6:14 To him that is afflicted pity should be showed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

Job 6:15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;

My brethren. Job had evidently heretofore had a close relation with these three “friends,” calling them brothers. Now, however, instead of comforting him, they were condemning him.

Job 6:16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:

Job 6:17 What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

Job 6:18 The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.

Job 6:19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

Job 6:20 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.

Job 6:21 For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.

Job 6:22 Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?

Job 6:23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?

Job 6:24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

cause me to understand. Job repeatedly emphasizes his willingness to confess and forsake any sin in his life if someone would tell him specifically what it was, instead of condemning him in generalities.

Job 6:25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?

Job 6:26 Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?

Job 6:27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.

Job 6:28 Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.

Job 6:29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.

Job 6:30 Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?