Job 6 Commentary
Job speaks up. He must respond to Eliphaz’s allegations. Firstly, Job justifies his outbursts. There is too much pain and suffering. His hasn’t been the crying of a coward.
Unlike Eliphaz who prioritizes life and the benefits resulting from righteousness, Job despises a life that exposes him to the possibility of sinning against his God. He would rather die than face the possibility of one day cursing God because of increased pain and suffering. Job’s relationship with the El-Shaddai God is so important to him that he doesn’t want to risk it.
“Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. Verse 14. Job feels his friends have been too harsh. We agree.
Job is ready to learn and be quiet. But the arguments presented by Eliphaz haven’t helped at all. He hasn’t answered the question of why Job is suffering. And that actually isn’t Job’s question in the first place. This is a question that Eliphaz fabricated in his own mind as he attempted to provide comfort to the suffering Job. To his credit, Job had responded with obedience: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” Chapter 1 verse 21.
Job concerns himself with praising the LORD and not finding out why the LORD has given, or why the LORD has taken.
Job is so weak that he no longer has any hope. Things have gotten so bad that he cannot wait for help anymore. It is at this point that he wishes the LORD could grant his request to die. Job is not thinking of committing suicide. He has simply asked the Giver of life to take it back. Here are practical ways of dealing with thoughts of suicide. Mortals are not masters over life. Let the Giver of life say the last word.
Jeremiah put it this way: Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps. 10 verse 23. There is worship when the desperate soul reaches this point.
Chapter 7 continues Job’s response to Eliphaz’s speech, but that comes tomorrow.
More resources visit http://www.lovingscripture.com
LOVING SCRIPTURE 