Job 6: 1 Then Job spoke again: 2 “Oh, that my grief were fully weighed, and my calamity laid with it on the scales! 3 For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea— therefore my words have been rash. 4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me. 5 Does the wild donkey bray when it has grass, or does the ox low over its fodder? 6 Can flavorless food be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? 7 My soul refuses to touch them; they are as loathsome food to me. 8 Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant me the thing that I long for! 9 That it would please God to crush me, that He would loose His hand and cut me off! 10 Then I would still have comfort; though in anguish I would exult, He will not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
“‘But Job answered and said’ etc. —“In his reply to Eliphaz, Job first takes hold of the charge of impatience and hasty indignation made in the opening of the fifth chapter. He is quite aware that his words were rash when he cursed his day and cried impatiently for death. But had Eliphaz duly considered his state, the weight of his trouble causing a... sense of indescribable oppression?” (Robert A. Watson, D. D.) No! “After he had heard Eliphaz out; he waited with patience until he had finished his discourse, without giving him any interruption, though there were many things that were very provoking, particularly in Job 4:5.” (John Gill)
"And when he had done, then he made his reply, ‘Oh, that my grief were fully weighed, and my calamity laid with it on the scales!’ I desire no favour from thee. But oh that I had a just and equal judge, that would understand my case, and consider whether I have not just cause for such bitter complaints!” (Mathew Poole) “There is a great beauty here manifesting itself, in the wish of Job for a Mediator... Job tells Eliphaz and his friends with him, that their incompetency of knowing what his grief was, made both him and them, think lighter of it than it really was. Therefore saith Job, 'Oh! that it were weighed!' Are not these the cries both of nature and grace, after one that could weigh them?” (Robert Hawker) Yea Christian brethren, “If we had a Mediator in heaven that had not been tempted on earth, we might doubt whether He would be touched with the feeling of our infirmities..." (J. Caryl)
“For then it,’ that is, my grief or calamity, ‘would be heavier than the sand of the sea'—that is, they would be found to be insupportable. Who could bear up the sands of the sea? So Job says of his sorrows.“ (Barnes) This inward affliction of his soul was even greater than the outward.— “‘therefore my words have been rash.’ lit. ‘swallowed up’; either by his friends, as Kimchi, who heard them, and put a wrong construction on them, without thoroughly examining the true sense of them; as men that swallow down their food greedily, do not chew it, nor take the true taste of it, and so are no judges whether it is good or bad.” (John Gill)
“‘For the arrows of the Almighty are within me.’ This was the issue. The source of his suffering, however, is Yahweh who He would not deny. "He describes these sufferings according to his views and feelings:— (1.) As ‘arrows:’ Sharp and penetrating; coming swiftly, suddenly, and with great force; not one but many, coming in quick succession. (2.) ‘Arrows of the Almighty.’ Shot by Him... as a mere butt for His archery [—not only against His enemies, but also against His friends].The Almighty's arrows must be especially sharp and deadly. That they were the Almighty's arrows the bitterest circumstance connected with them. (3.) ‘Poisoned arrows.’ Hence especially deadly... (4.) These arrows not only discharged against him, but abiding ‘within’ him... His distress unintermitting. (5.) The effect of the arrows, their poison ‘drinking up his spirit’—exhausting his vital energy; or, his spirit drinking up their deadly poison.” (Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary) The internal suffering was more than the eye could see. It was mental. “The terrors of God strike down all defence. The wrath of God is irresistible.” (Keil & Delitzsch)
Job offers 'a justification for himself; to declare that he had sufficient ground for complaint.” (Dr. Dodd) “‘Does the wild donkey bray when it has grass, or does the ox low over its fodder?’ Sure they do not! As if these creatures, wild or tame, want necessary food, you give them leave to fill the air with their outcries; yea, you supply their wants; but for me ye will do neither, such is your tenderness and love toward me. Nay, ye condemn me for that which is naturally common to all creatures.” (Trapp) “And therefore my carriage is agreeable to those common principles of nature which are both in men and beasts, by which their disposition and deportment is generally suitable to their condition.” (Matthew Poole)
“‘Can flavorless food be eaten without salt?’ It is a Christian duty to reprove a brother who is in a fault, and we should speak to him with all gentleness and quietness, that we may prevent his going farther into evil, and lead him back to the right way. It is the habit of some brethren to do everything forcibly; but in this case one needs more love than vigour, more prudence than warmth, more grace than energy. Rebuke, however kindly you put it, and however prudently you administer it, will always be an unsavoury thing: therefore, salt it well. Think over it. Pray over it. Mix kindness with it. Rub the salt of brotherly love into it.“ (C. H. Spurgeon)
Salt is also a symbol of the Spirit. The precept of trials from God “means an apparently unavailing contest with powers that are more powerful than ourselves. But once flavour the Christian life with salt, and how different it becomes! Flavour the bitterness with the love of God, the blessed sympathy of Christ, the glorious reward beyond, and then as the golden sunshine gilds and beautifies the most rugged scene, so the bitterness is turned into a sheen of glory and the toil is forgotten.” (J. J. S. Bird)
“‘Or is there any taste in the white of an egg [khallamuth]?’— an obscure “Canaanite word for a plant, and most modern interpreters take this to be the unsavory secretion of a mallow, a very mucilaginous wild plant.” I do not like the taste of it. “Therefore, his complaining should be excused and viewed as normal.” (Mark Dunagan) “‘My soul refuses to touch them; they are as loathsome food to me.’ (7) I am forced with a heavy heart to feed upon them for want of better; and they go down the worse because you vex me with your hard.” (John Trapp) “‘Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant me the thing that I long for! That it would please God to crush me, that He would loose His hand and cut me off!’ “‘To destroy me’; to end my days and calamities together.” (Matthew Poole) Lord, finish the work that You have begun; allow me to die the first death.
“‘Then I would still have comfort; though [now] in anguish I would [then] exult, He will not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One [of Israel] .’ (8-10) The sin of the heathen that of ‘holding or keeping down the truth in unrighteousness.’ Truth inwardly believed is to be outwardly professed (Romans 10). God honoured and the world benefited by a bold and consistent profession of the truth. The practice of God's faithful servants in every age (Psa 71:17; Psa 119:46). Examples: Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Daniel. Truth received in order to be communicated (2Co 4:6; Php 2:15-16). The language of Job used by David and his great Antitype (Psa 40:9-10). The testimony of a good and enlightened conscience a precious comfort in the midst of suffering and in the prospect of death (2Co 1:12; 2Ti 4:6-8). The testimony of Job's conscience, that he had neither by fearfulness nor faithlessness concealed the words of the Holy One of Israel.”(Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary) “Think of how this will appear on a dying bed--‘I knew the saving secret, but I never told even a child of it.’” (Spurgeon)
The patience of Job. “This was his confidence, that he had been faithful as a preacher of righteousness, and a worshipper of God.” (Joseph Sutcliffe) “Thus his suffering is not because of his own rebellion.” (Mark Dunagan) “And, therefore, I know, if God does cut me off, it will be in mercy, and I shall be a gainer by it.” (Joseph Benson) So, he wished to be laid to rest in the grave that he might join the throngs awaiting the resurrection and judgement for vindication. “Is it not probable that Satan had secretly tempted Job to self-murder? His wife had openly recommended it. Job 2:9. But though Job presumed to wish the LORD would take away his life; yet grace restrained all desires, to take it away with his own hand. Oh! that every poor tempted soul, when under such peculiar exercises from Satan, may look up and behold his security, in the restraining grace of JESUS. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9.” (Robert Hawker)
Job 6: 11“What strength do I have, that I should hope? And what is my end, that I should prolong my life? 12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh bronze? 13 Is my help not within me? And is success driven from me?
“This is a response to Eliphaz’s exhortation to repent and receive blessings (5:18ff).” (Mark Dunagan) “‘What strength do I have, that I should hope?’ for better times. “Thou hast told me, O Eliphaz, that if I frame to a patient and peaceable behaviour under God’s chastisement, I shall go to my grave in a good old age, etc., but, alas, it is now past time of day with me for that matter...— ‘And what is mine end that I should prolong my life (nephesh)?’ (11) — I desire not to live longer, though in the greatest splendour and prosperity, but to be dissolved... [And to be gathered to my people in the bosom of Abraham.] The Hebrew word nephesh, here rendered soul or life, oft signifies desire, as Genesis 23:8 Deuteronomy 23:24 Proverbs 23:2 Ecclesiastes 6:9.” (Matthew Poole)
“‘Is my strength the strength of stones,’ in a walled city or tower, to bear the incessant strokes of a battering ram in a close siege?” (Joseph Sutcliffe) Or is my flesh bronze?’ (12) No! I am made of flesh and blood thus: “God hath not made me insensible; and therefore do not wonder that I desire to be released from these very sharp pains.”(Bishop Patrick)
“‘Is my help not within me?’ etc. in comfort, in confidence, and in all the sanctifying powers of religion on the mind. This is the sacred test, which exterior adversities can never touch.” (Joseph Sutcliffe) “Or the interrogation is better omitted. ‘There is no help in me!’—‘And deliverance is driven quite from me.’ (13)” (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown) “All resource is at an end with him.” (Arthur Peake) Thus: “Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” (Psalm 51:11)
Job 6:14 “To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. 15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully like a brook, like the streams of the brooks that pass away, 16 which are dark because of the ice, and into which the snow vanishes. 17 When it is warm, they cease to flow; twhen it is hot, they vanish from their place. 18 The paths of their way turn aside, they go nowhere and perish. 19 The caravans of Tema look, the travelers of Sheba hope for them. 20 They are disappointed because they were confident; they come there and are confused. 21 For now you are nothing, you see terror and are afraid. 22 Did I ever say, ‘Bring something to me’? Or, ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth’? 23 Or, ‘Deliver me from the enemy’s hand’? Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of oppressors’?
According to Job, brethren should share in each other’s burdens, even if the fallen brother has forsaken the fear of the Almighty. “‘To him who is afflicted,’ literally, dissolved “‘kindness should be shown by his friend,’ by a sweet tender melting frame of spirit, such as was that of the Church, Psalms 102:13, and that of Paul, 2 Corinthians 11:29, ‘Who is weak, and I am not weak?’ sc. by way of sympathy... when others are hurt, I feel twinges: as the tongue complaineth for the hurt of the toe, and as the heart condoleth with the heel, and there is a fellow feeling amongst all the members; so there is likewise in the mystical body.” (John Trapp)- "even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty."
My “brothers” have dealt deceitfully. "These were his brethren not by birth by blood nor by country, but by the profession of the same religion of the one true and living God in opposition to the idolatrous people among whom they dwelt.” (John Gill) “And it is no new thing... It is therefore our wisdom to cease from man. We cannot expect too little from the creature, or too much from the Creator.” (John Wesley)
“Friends like a brook— There is probably an allusion here to those land torrents which make a sudden appearance, and as suddenly vanish; being produced by the rains that fall upon the mountains during the rainy season.” (Adam Clarke)— “‘which are dark because of the ice,’ When frozen over, they look of a blackish colour, and is what is called a black frost.” (Joh Gill)— They “go as a mourner in black clothing.” (Psalm 34:14) But are cold “in winter is hard frozen and in the time of rain when we have no need overflows with water.” (Geneva Study Bible)— “‘and into which the snow vanishes.’ When the heat comes, they are speedily liquefied; and the evaporation is so strong from the heat, and the absorption so powerful from the sand, that they soon disappear.” (Adam Clarke) “Their silence first, their wailing, and the outward signs of deepest grief, had led him to hope for comfort from their lips. They were like water brooks promising an abundant supply of refreshing water in winter time when not needed. But they were like dried up brooks in the summer’s heat.” (Arno Gaebelein)
“‘The caravans of Tema look,’— for the streams of water— ‘the travelers of Sheba hope for them.’ This was the country of Eliphaz, and the image would be well understood by him. The figure is one of exquisite beauty. It means that the caravans from Tema, in journeying through the desert, looked for those streams. They came with an expectation of finding the means of allaying their thirst. When they came there they were disappointed, for the waters had disappeared.” (Albert Barnes)
“‘They are disappointed’— confounded, as was Job— ‘because they were confident; they come there and are confused. For now you are nothing, you see terror and are afraid.’ Comp. Jeremiah’s description of the famine (Jer 14:3).” (C J Ellicott) “Did I ever say, ‘Bring something to me’? etc. or, Give a reward for me of your substance, that is your wisdom. “Why do you stand aloof? Have I asked you to bring me any presents? or to supply my wants out of your stores? Did I send to you to come and avenge me of the destroyers of my property, or to rescue my substance out of the hands of my enemies?” (Adam Clarke) “Nothing like this he had asked of their hands; all he craved was kind and tender sympathy.” (Gaebelein)
They knew of no sin of Job’s, but gave of their so-called wisdom. Rather "sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15) “Friends often withdraw in adversity like brooks in summer. ‘What time they wax warm they become slender; when it is hot they are consumed out of their place.’ ‘First the stream flows more narrowly,--then becomes silent and still; at length every trace of water disappears by evaporation.’ Accurate description of the conduct of ‘friends,’ who have not the courage to break openly with you, but desert you by degrees. In the light of this how comforting the reflection that ‘there is a Friend who sticketh closer than a brother.’ He is the River of the Water of Life--no failing stream.” (J. L. Lafferty)
Job 6:24 “Teach me, and I will hold my tongue; cause me to understand wherein I have erred. 25 How forceful are right words! But what does your arguing prove? 26 Do you intend to rebuke my words, and the speeches of a desperate one, which are as wind? 27 Yes, you overwhelm the fatherless, and you undermine your friend. 28 Now therefore, be pleased to look at me; for I would never lie to your face. 29 Yield now, let there be no injustice! Yes, concede, my righteousness still stands! 30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern the unsavory?
“Next, Job invited his friends to identify the sin for which they believed God was punishing him.... So far Eliphaz had only alluded to it. Job welcomed specific honest accusations, not arguments based on insinuations.” (Dr. Thomas B. Constable) Job says, “‘Teach me and I will hold my tongue.’ Job is still willing to learn, to be proven wrong. ‘Where is the evidence I have sinned?’” (Mark Dunagan) “‘How forceful are right words!’ - A well-constructed argument, that has truth for its basis, is irresistible. ‘But what does your arguing prove?’ - As you have proved no fault you have consequently reproved no vice.“ (Adam Clarke)— “They judged merely according to their feelings.” (Paul E. Kretzmann)
Judge my actions, not my words while in a state of deep despair, as I sort things out. “‘Do you intend to rebuke my words, and the speeches of a desperate one,’ not that he despaired of his everlasting salvation; he was far from despair; he was a strong believer, and determined that, though he was slain, he would trust in the Lord; he was well assured he should be justified, both here and hereafter.” (John Gill)— “‘which are as wind?’ A man knows not what he thinks until he tries to put it into words. The tongue or pen sometimes like a whetstone sharpens thought, giving it edge and point; sometimes like a painter’s pencil, it communicates definiteness, precision, and exquisite colouring to the outlines of thought; again, like a prism, it seems to analyse and separate blended ideas; again, like a crystal, it imparts clearness, symmetry, brilliance; or like a mirror, it reflects and multiplies the rays of light.” (A. T. Pierson, D. D.)
““‘Yes, on the fatherless would ye cast lots’ (cp. Joel 3:3; Obadiah 1:11; Nahum 3:10). Job means to say they are so pitiless that they would cast lots for the children of an insolvent debtor condemned to become slaves at his death (2 Kings 4:1; Nehemiah 5:5).— ‘And you undermine your friend.’ or, ‘ye would make merchandise of your friend' (RV). Job does not speak of what his friends had done, but of what he deems them capable of doing.” (Pulpit Commentary)
“‘Now therefore, be pleased to look at me; for I would never lie to your face.’ Job appeals to his friends to give him a fair hearing. Let them look him in the face... We must imagine, says Duhm, that during Job's speech, and especially during the last sharp sayings, they have exhibited their disapproval by turning away from him. Surely (Job 6:28) is the formula of oath—literally, ‘if I shall lie to your face’ (then may evil befall me) (cf. Job 1:11).” (Arthur Peake) “‘Yield now,’ he tells them, let them not be guilty of injustice in their attitude.” (L. M. Grant) “Renan supposes that Job’s friends, astonished by his apostrophes, turn away as if about to depart, and Job calls them back.” (Daniel Whedon)
“‘Let there be no injustice!’ Render, 'Reconsider my case; do not do me such injustice.’” (John Dummelow) “‘Yes, concede, my righteousness still stands!’ — And thus, though Satan had charged him with hypocrisy, and his friends contended for the same, yet there was no hypocrisy with him.” (Robert Hawker) He trusted God.— “‘Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern the unsavory?’ (30) I am not so bereft of common understanding, as not to be able to distinguish between good and evil; and therefore if I have uttered, or should utter, any perverse words, I should apprehend them to be so as well as you do.” (Matthew Poole) “In other words, ‘Give me something helpful that I can use.’ I am willing to listen to godly counsel... [if you have some] He reminds them, that he is sick not stupid! He has enough intelligence to determine injustice and the ’unsavory’ attitude of his friends.” (John Brown)