Job 7

CHAPTER 7

Job Continues (7:1–21)

1–5 Job now begins to address God directly. He first complains of man's life in general: life is hard service; the worker waits eagerly for the end of the day (verses 1–2). In the same way, Job's days of suffering seem endless; for him the night drags on (verses 3–4). And all the while his body is covered with worms and scabs (verse 5).

Many people at some point in their lives have thoughts like these. For them life becomes nothing but endless drudgery and despair. Job is expressing here what many people have experienced in varying forms down through the ages. As we listen to Job complain bitterly to God, let us not be too harsh with him; one day we may find ourselves in his shoes!

6–10 Here Job reflects on the brevity and futility of his life; it speeds quickly by like a weaver's shuttle (verse 6). It is but a breath, here for a moment and then quickly gone; Job has lost hope of ever seeing happiness again (verse 7). Soon, like a cloud, he will be gone—down to the grave from which no one returns²⁵ (verse 9).

11–16 Here Job bursts out in a passionate complaint against God. Why does God treat him like a sea monster that needs to be guarded? (verse 12). Why does God torment him with dreams and visions as he seeks the comfort of his bed? (verses 13–14). Job again wishes for death; he asks God to let him alone and let him die (verses 15–16).

17–21 What is man that you make so much of him? (verse 17). David asked the same question in Psalm 8:3–4, but David's question was asked in wonder and awe. Job's question is asked in anger and dread. Job believes that God is making “much of him” in order to torment him, to test him every moment (verses 18–19). This, of course, was true; but Job didn't understand the reason for God's testing.

Finally Job asks God why He doesn't just forgive his sins (verse 21). Job is not admitting here that he has committed a sin worthy of such great punishment, but he is asking for God's mercy:“If I have sinned,please forgive me. I am about to die, and then it will be too late.”

In these past two chapters, Job has again come very close to “cursing” God. He has implied that God was treating him unjustly. God would later rebuke Job for saying such things²⁶ (Job 40:2,8). But God also understood the depth of Job's distress, and in the end He affirmed Job and restored him to his former state.

Ideally, Job should not have spoken as he did; he should not have felt as he did. And neither should we, when we face times of distress. But God does invite us to be open with Him, to express our deepest feelings—even feelings of anger and despair. God knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:14). And if we will but cling to Him throughout our trial, He will restore us in due time (see 1 Peter 5:6–7).