Job 6:14-24

14 "When desperate people give up on God Almighty, their friends, at least, should stick with them.
15 But my brothers are fickle as a gulch in the desert - one day they're gushing with water
16 From melting ice and snow cascading out of the mountains,
17 But by midsummer they're dry, gullies baked dry in the sun.
18 Travelers who spot them and go out of their way for a drink, end up in a waterless gulch and die of thirst.
19 Merchant caravans from Tema see them and expect water, tourists from Sheba hope for a cool drink.
20 They arrive so confident - but what a disappointment! They get there, and their faces fall!
21 And you, my so-called friends, are no better - there's nothing to you! One look at a hard scene and you shrink in fear.
22 It's not as though I asked you for anything - I didn't ask you for one red cent -
23 Nor did I beg you to go out on a limb for me. So why all this dodging and shuffling?
24 "Confront me with the truth and I'll shut up, show me where I've gone off the track.

Job 6:14-24 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 6

This and the following chapter contain Job's answer to the speech of Eliphaz in the two foregoing; he first excuses his impatience by the greatness of his afflictions, which, if weighed by good and impartial hands, would be found to be heavier than the sand of the sea, and which words were wanting to express, Job 6:1-3; and the reason why they were so heavy is given, they being the arrows and terrors of the Almighty, Job 6:4; and by various similes he shows that his moans and complaints under them need not seem strange and unreasonable, Job 6:5-7; and what had been said not being convincing to him, he continues in the same sentiment and disposition of mind, and wishes to be removed by death out of his miserable condition, and gives his reasons for it, Job 6:8-13; and though his case was such as required pity from his friends, yet this he had not from them, but represents them as deceitful, and as having sadly disappointed him, and therefore he neither hoped nor asked for anything of them, Job 6:14-23; and observes that their words and arguments were of no force and weight with him, but harmful and pernicious, Job 6:24-27; and in his turn gives them some exhortations and instructions, and signifies that he was as capable of discerning between right and wrong as they, with which this chapter is concluded, Job 6:28-30.

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.