Job 30:16-26

16 "Now my soul is poured out within me. Days of affliction have taken hold on me.
17 In the night season my bones are pierced in me, And the pains that gnaw me take no rest.
18 By great force is my garment disfigured. It binds me about as the collar of my coat.
19 He has cast me into the mire. I have become like dust and ashes.
20 I cry to you, and you do not answer me. I stand up, and you gaze at me.
21 You have turned to be cruel to me. With the might of your hand you persecute me.
22 You lift me up to the wind, and drive me with it. You dissolve me in the storm.
23 For I know that you will bring me to death, To the house appointed for all living.
24 "However doesn't one stretch out a hand in his fall? Or in his calamity therefore cry for help?
25 Didn't I weep for him who was in trouble? Wasn't my soul grieved for the needy?
26 When I looked for good, then evil came; When I waited for light, there came darkness.

Job 30:16-26 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.

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