Job 30:9-19

9 "But now I'm the one they're after, mistreating me, taunting and mocking.
10 They abhor me, they abuse me. How dare those scoundrels - they spit in my face!
11 Now that God has undone me and left me in a heap, they hold nothing back. Anything goes.
12 They come at me from my blind side, trip me up, then jump on me while I'm down.
13 They throw every kind of obstacle in my path, determined to ruin me - and no one lifts a finger to help me!
14 They violate my broken body, trample through the rubble of my ruined life.
15 Terrors assault me - my dignity in shreds, salvation up in smoke.
16 "And now my life drains out, as suffering seizes and grips me hard.
17 Night gnaws at my bones; the pain never lets up.
18 I am tied hand and foot, my neck in a noose. I twist and turn.
19 Thrown facedown in the muck, I'm a muddy mess, inside and out. What Did I Do to Deserve This?

Job 30:9-19 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 30

Job in this chapter sets forth his then unhappy state and condition, in contrast with his former state of prosperity described in the preceding chapter: things had taken a strange turn, and were just the reverse of what they were before; he that was before in such high esteem and credit with all sorts of men, young and old, high and low, rich and poor, now is had in derision by the meanest and basest of men, whose characters are described, Job 30:1-8; and the instances of their contempt of him by words and gestures are given, Job 30:9-14; he who enjoyed so much ease of mind, and health of body, is now filled with distresses of soul, and bodily diseases, Job 30:15-19; and he who enjoyed so much of the presence of God, and communion with him, and of his love and favour, was now disregarded, and, as he thought, cruelly used by him, who not only had destroyed his substance, but was about to bring him to the grave, Job 30:20-24; all which came upon him, though he had a sympathizing heart with the poor, and them that were in trouble, and when he expected better things, Job 30:25-28; and he close the chapter, lamenting his sad and sorrowful circumstances, Job 30:29-31.

Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.