Two Things to Remember When You Suffer Unjust Treatment – Job 18:1-19:29
18 Then Bildad the Shuhite said, (2) When will you end these speeches? Be sensible, and then we can talk. (3) Why are we regarded as cattle, and considered to be stupid in your sight? (4) You who tear yourself to pieces with your anger—should the earth be devastated for your sake? Or, for your sake, should an earthquake move the boulders from their place?
(5) Indeed, the lamp of the wicked is extinguished; the flame of his fire ceases to burn. (6) The light in his tent becomes dark; the lamp beside him is extinguished. (7) The vigor of his stride wanes, and he stumbles over his schemes. (8) His feet get caught in a net—he steps into a web. (9) A trap seizes him by his heel; a snare grabs hold of him. (10) A noose for him lies hidden on the ground; a trap lies in his path.
(11) Terrors startle him on every side and, like a dog, chase at his heels. (12) His strength is exhausted, and calamity is ready for him when he falls. (13) His skin is eaten by disease; the plague sent by death consumes his limbs. (14) He is torn from the security of his tent and marched away to the king of terrors. (15) Nothing that belongs to him remains in his tent; brimstone is scattered over his estate. (16) His roots below dry up, and his branch above withers. (17) Even the memory of him perishes from the earth; he leaves behind no name in the land. (18) He is driven from light into darkness, and he is chased out of the world. (19) He has no offspring or descendants among his people, and there is no survivor where once he lived. (20) Westerners are appalled at his fate, and Easterners are seized with horror. (21) Surely, this will be the final dwelling place for an evil man, the place for him who does not know God.
19 Job replied, (2) How long will you torment me and crush me with words? (3) Ten times now you have reproached me; you have not been ashamed to treat me harshly. (4) If it is true that I have gone astray, my error is my concern alone. (5) If you would indeed exalt yourselves above me and use my disgrace against me, (6) understand that God has subverted me and drawn his net around me. (7) Although I cry out, “I have been wronged!” I get no response; even though I shout for help, there is no justice.
(8) He has blocked up my way so that I cannot pass through; he has shrouded my path with darkness. (9) He has stripped me of my honor and removed the crown from my head. (10) He tears me down on every side until I perish; he uproots my hope like a tree. (11) His anger burns against me; he regards me as one of his enemies. (12) His troops advance in columns; they construct a siege ramp against me, and they encamp around my tent. (13) He has alienated my brothers against me, and my friends are totally estranged from me. (14) My relatives have abandoned me; my companions have forgotten me. (15) My household and my maids regard me as a stranger; they look at me as though I were an alien. (16) I summon my servant, but he does not answer; even if I beg him with my own mouth. (17) My breath is repulsive to my wife; I am loathsome to my own children. (18) Even young children despise me; when I appear, they ridicule me. (19) All my associates detest me; those I love have turned against me. (20) My bones cling to my skin; I have escaped with only the skin of my teeth. (21) Have pity on me, my friends, have pity, for the hand of God has struck me. (22) Why do you pursue me like God does? Will you never get enough of my flesh?
(23) O that my words were recorded, that they were inscribed on a monument—(24) with an iron pen and lead, engraved in rock forever! (25) But I know that my Redeemer is alive, and at last he will stand upon the earth. (26) After my skin has been so utterly mutilated, still, in my flesh, I will see God. (27) I myself will see him; my own eyes will see him. Indeed, I will see him personally, and not someone else. How my heart yearns within me! (28) If you say, “How will we prosecute him? Surely, the root of the trouble is in him!” (29) you yourselves should fear the sword; for what you are doing are iniquities worthy of punishment by the sword! Be aware that there is a day of judgment.
Now proceed to the next section of this study, entitled, Exploring the Passage.
