The weariness of sorrow. Expressing Itself— I. IN A DESIRE FOR THE CLOSE OF LIFE . ( Job 7:2 .) II. As A CONTINUOUS DISAPPOINTMENT . ( Job 7:3 .) III. As A CEASELESS RESTLESSNESS . ( Job 7:4 .) IV. AS A REVOLT FROM THE PAINFULNESS OF ITS CIRCUMSTANCES . ( Job 7:5 .) V. AS A CONDITION OF HOPELESSNESS . ( Job 7:6 .)—R.G. read more
Job to God: 1. The soliloquy of sorrow. I. A PATHETIC REPRESENTATION OF HUMAN LIFE . In contrast to the fascinating picture sketched by Eliphaz ( Job 5:17-27 ), Job depicts human life in general, and his own sorrowful existence in particular, as: 1 . A term of hard service. "Is there not an appointed time [literally, 'a warfare, a term of hard service'] on the earth?' like that of a mercenary soldier hired out for military purposes to a foreign despot; and "are not his... read more
The weakness of man's appeal to the clemency of God. I. GENERAL VIEW OF MAN 'S MISERY AND HIS OWN . ( Job 7:1-5 .) Man is compared to a hireling with an appointed time of service, the end of which is wearily and wistfully looked for. The ideas suggested are As the slave longs for the lengthening shadows of evening, the hired labourer for pay-time, so the oppressed sufferer, toiling beneath a load of pain, longs for the welcome end of death. He "would 'twere bedtime, and... read more
In this chapter Job first bewails his miserable fate, of which he expects no alleviation (verses 1-10); then claims an unlimited right of complaint (verse 11); and finally enters into direct expostulation with God—an expostulation which continues from verse 12 to the end of the chapter. At the close, he admits his sinfulness (verse 20), but asks impatiently why God does not pardon it instead of visiting it with such extreme vengeance (verse 21). read more
My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle . Though each day is a weariness, yet, on looking back upon my whole life, it seems to have come and gone in a moment (comp. Job 9:25 ). And are spent without hope. Job does not share in the hopes which Eliphaz has held out (see Job 5:17-27 ). He has no hope but in death. read more
The weaver's shuttle. This is one of the many emblems of the brevity of life which carry a certain subtle suggestiveness of deeper meanings in spite of the minimizing pessimism that seems to be their sole prompting cause. The shuttle flies swiftly across the web. What does this fact suggest? I. THE MELANCHOLY BREVITY OF LIFE . "The velocity of time," says Seneca, "is infinite, and is most apparent to those who look back." This is one of the most trite topics of conventional... read more
The speedy flight of life. In the multitude of his thoughts within him, Job glances at many of the painful aspects of life. His view is influenced by the condition of his spirit. With a longing for the grave, he nevertheless mourns over the rapid flight of his few days upon earth. Such a reflection every one may wisely make. Consider the expressive similes in which Job sees his hasty life represented. 1 . His days are swifter than the weaver's shuttle (verse 6). 2 . They are as the... read more
O remember that my life is wind! (comp. Psalms 78:39 ). The wind is an image of all that is vain, shifting, unstable, ready to pass away ( Job 6:1-30 :36; Proverbs 11:29 ; Ecclesiastes 5:16 ; Isaiah 26:18 ; Isaiah 41:9 ; Jeremiah 5:13 , etc.). Mine eye shall no more see good . Another protest against the hopes flint Eliphaz has held out (see the comment on Job 7:6 ; and setup, Job 9:25 ). Job is still speaking of this life only, and not touching the question of another. read more
The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more ; that is, I shall go down to the grave, and be no more seen upon earth. Neither friend nor enemy shall behold me after that. Thine eyes . God's eyes. God still sees him and watches him; this is a certain consolation; but will it last? Are upon me, and I am not. I am on the point of disappearing. Even now I scarcely exist. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Job 7:1-6
The days of the hireling. Job speaks from the depth of suffering, and as yet he has no clear light upon the Divine purpose concerning him. God, who is his true Refuge, appears to be his Enemy; and he likens his miserable days to those of the oppressed slave. This he urges as a justification of the longing for rest which he has expressed. For him there is no prospect of that rest but in the grave. It is the cry of bitter subjection. 1. THE COMPARISON OF HUMAN LIFE TO THAT ... read more