Job 30:21-31

21 But You have become cruel to me; With the strength of Your hand You oppose me.
22 You lift me up to the wind and cause me to ride on it; You spoil my success.
23 For I know that You will bring me to death, And to the house appointed for all living.
24 "Surely He would not stretch out His hand against a heap of ruins, If they cry out when He destroys it.
25 Have I not wept for him who was in trouble? Has not my soul grieved for the poor?
26 But when I looked for good, evil came to me; And when I waited for light, then came darkness.
27 My heart is in turmoil and cannot rest; Days of affliction confront me.
28 I go about mourning, but not in the sun; I stand up in the assembly and cry out for help.
29 I am a brother of jackals, And a companion of ostriches.
30 My skin grows black and falls from me; My bones burn with fever.
31 My harp is turned to mourning, And my flute to the voice of those who weep.

Job 30:21-31 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.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.