Job 30:14-24

14 They come at me as if through a hole in the wall, and they roll in among the ruins.

15 Great fears overwhelm me. They blow my honor away as if by a great wind, and my safety disappears like a cloud.

16 "Now my life is almost over; my days are full of suffering.

17 At night my bones ache; gnawing pains never stop.

18 In his great power God grabs hold of my clothing and chokes me with the collar of my coat.

19 He throws me into the mud, and I become like dirt and ashes.

20 "I cry out to you, God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you just look at me.

21 You have turned on me without mercy; with your powerful hand you attacked me.

22 You snatched me up and threw me into the wind and tossed me about in the storm.

23 I know you will bring me down to death, to the place where all living people must go.

24 "Surely no one would hurt a ruined man when he cries for help in his time of trouble.

Job 30:14-24 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.