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Job 6

30 verses

TL;DR

Job mourns his deep affliction and cries for God’s judgment while seeking understanding and empathy from friends.

Summary

In this chapter, Job laments that his suffering is weighed heavier than the sea’s sand and that the divine arrows of God sting him like poison. He questions whether the suffering he endures is justified, longing for God’s will to be known and for relief even if it means destruction. Job reflects on his own perceived strength, comparing it to stones and brass, and doubts whether he can endure longer. He admonishes his friends for failing to show pity, describing their deceitful behavior like a disappearing brook, and laments that they have become empty. He calls for them to return to righteousness, to understand his anguish, and to remove the iniquity in his tongue.

Outline
  1. Job’s lament and desire for divine judgment.
  2. Self‑reflection on strength, wisdom, and endurance.
  3. Appeal to friends for empathy and a return to righteousness.
Themes
Human affliction and the weight of sufferingHope for divine justice and deliveranceThe role of friendship and empathy in distress
Keywords
griefsufferingjudgmentpitystrengthwisdomfriendshipdivine arrow
People
JobGod
Places
SeaTemaSheba
Things
Arrows of the AlmightyPoisonSorrowful meatStrength of stonesFlesh of brassRight wordsPit
Key Verses
  • Job 6:4: Job vividly describes the divine arrows as a piercing poison, illustrating the intensity of his suffering.
  • Job 6:14: Job urges the afflicted to receive pity from friends, highlighting the importance of compassionate companionship.
  • Job 6:20: The mention of Tema and Sheba shows Job’s awareness of external observers and their misplaced hope, adding depth to his sense of isolation.
Questions
  • Why does Job use the image of arrows and poison to describe his suffering?
  • What does Job mean when he says his strength is like stones or brass?
  • How does Job’s perception of his friends’ failure shape his appeal for empathy?
  • In what ways does Job’s longing for God’s will reflect hope amid despair?
  • How can modern readers apply the themes of pity and righteous conduct from this chapter?
Sentiment

negative
Job’s tone is dominated by profound sorrow and desperation, with a faint hope for divine understanding.