Job 30:1-9

1 "But now those who are younger than I am make fun of me. I wouldn't put even their parents with my sheep dogs!

2 Their strong hands couldn't give me any help. That's because their strength was gone.

3 They were weak because they were needy and hungry. They wandered through dry and empty deserts at night.

4 Among the bushes they gathered salty plants. They ate the roots of desert trees.

5 They were driven away from society. They were shouted at as if they were robbers.

6 They were forced to live in dry stream beds. They had to stay among rocks and in holes in the ground.

7 Like donkeys they cried out among the bushes. There they crowded together and hid.

8 They were so foolish that no one respected them. They were driven out of the land.

9 "Now their children laugh at me. They make fun of me with their songs.

Job 30:1-9 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.