This chapter is a continuation of Job’s response to his friend, Eliphaz, but most of it demonstrates Job’s anguish as he cries out to God. Here’s the chapter in its entirety: “Is this not the struggle of all humanity? A person’s life is long and hard, like that of a hired hand, like a worker who longs for the day to end, like a servant waiting to be paid. I, too, have been assigned months of futility, long and weary nights of misery. When I go to bed, I think, ‘When will it be morning?’ But the night drags on, and I toss till dawn. My skin is filled with worms and scabs. My flesh breaks open, full of pus.
Job Cries Out to God
“My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle flying back and forth. They end without hope. O God, remember that my life is but a breath, and I will never again experience pleasure. You see me now, but not for long. Your eyes will be on me, but I will be dead. Just as a cloud dissipates and vanishes, those who die will not come back. They are gone forever from their home – never to be seen again.
“I cannot keep from speaking. I must express my anguish. I must complain in my bitterness. Am I a sea monster that you place a guard on me? If I think, ‘My bed will comfort me, and I will try to forget my misery with sleep,’ you shatter me with dreams. You terrify me with visions. I would rather die of strangulation than go on and on like this. I hate my life. I do not want to go on living. Oh, leave me alone for these few remaining days. (Wow!)
“What are mere mortals, that you should make so much of us? For you examine us every morning and test us every moment. Why won’t you leave me alone – even for a moment? Have I sinned? What have I done to you, O watcher of all humanity? Why have you made me your target? Am I a burden to you? Why not just pardon my sin and take away my guilt? For soon I will lie down in the dust and die. When you look for me, I will be gone.” (Job 7) (Wow! Job has yet to curse God, but he has certainly lost hope, and understandingly so.)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Though Job is longing for death as a relief to his pain and suffering, and he questions you repeatedly, Job never curses you and even refers to you as “O watcher of all humanity”. Lord, help us never to curse you, even in our darkest hour. Help us recognize that you have an unfailing love for us, no matter how life thumps and bruises us. We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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