Job 17:2-12

2 People who make fun of me are all around me. I'm forced to watch as they attack me with their words.

3 "God, please pay the price to have me set free. Who else would put up money for me?

4 You have closed the minds of those who are trying to comfort me. They don't understand that I haven't done anything wrong. So don't let them win the argument.

5 Suppose a man tells lies about his friends to get a reward. Then his own children will suffer for it.

6 "God has made everyone laugh at me. People spit in my face.

7 My eyes have grown weak because I'm so sad. My body is so thin it hardly casts a shadow.

8 Those who claim to be honest are shocked when they see me. Those who think they haven't sinned are stirred up against me. They think I'm ungodly.

9 But godly people will keep doing what is right. Those who have clean hands will grow stronger.

10 "Come on, all of you! Try again! I can't find a wise person among you.

11 My life is almost over. My plans are destroyed. And so are the longings of my heart.

12 People like you turn night into day. Even though it's dark you say, 'Light is nearby.'

Job 17:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

\\INTRODUCTION JOB 17\\

In this chapter Job not only enlarges upon the reason given in the
preceding chapter, why he was desirous of an advocate with God, and one
to plead his cause with him for him, Job 17:1; but adds other reasons
taken from the usage of his friends, from the impossibility of any but
a divine Person being his surety; and of anyone being provided and
appointed as such but by God himself; from the insufficiency of his
friends to judge of his cause, and from the condition and circumstances
he was in, Job 17:2-7; then he takes notice of the effects his present
case would have on good men, that though they might be astonished at
it, they would be filled with indignation against hypocrites, and would
not be moved and stumbled by his afflictions to apostatize from and
desert the good ways of God, Job 17:8,9; after which he addresses his
friends, and either calls upon them to renew the dispute with him, or
repent of their notions, and join with him in his sentiments,
Job 17:10; and lastly describes his state and circumstances, according
to his apprehension of things, observing the shortness of his life, and
the darkness of the dispensation he was under, through one thing and
another, Job 17:11,12; that he had nothing but the grave in view,
which, and its attendants, he had made very familiar with him,
Job 17:13,14; and that he had no hope of restoration to a better
condition, as to his outward circumstances, and that he, and his hopes
his friends would have him entertain, and they also, would go down
together to the grave, and there should lie in the dust, and rest
together till the morning of the resurrection, Job 17:15,16.