Job 30:11-21

11 God has made my body weak. It's like a tent that has fallen down. So those children do what they want to in front of me.

12 Many people attack me on my right side. They lay traps for my feet. They come at me from every direction.

13 They tear up the road I walk on. They succeed in destroying me. They do it without any help.

14 They attack me like troops smashing through a wall. Among the destroyed buildings they come rolling in.

15 Terrors sweep over me. My honor is driven away as if by the wind. My safety vanishes like a cloud.

16 "Now my life is slipping away. Days of suffering grab hold of me.

17 At night my bones hurt. My gnawing pains never stop.

18 God's great power becomes like clothes to me. He chokes me like the neck of my shirt.

19 He throws me down into the mud. I'm nothing but dust and ashes.

20 "God, I cry out to you. But you don't answer me. I stand up. But all you do is look at me.

21 You do mean things to me. Your mighty hand attacks me.

Job 30:11-21 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.