Job 6:14 - Job Replies: My Complaint is Just

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Context

Job Replies: My Complaint is Just
…13Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me? 14A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. 15But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow,…

Cross References

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.Proverbs 18:24
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.Galatians 6:2
Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.1 John 3:17
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?James 2:15-16
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, / who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.Luke 10:30-37
Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. / Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. / So too, when a Levite came to that spot and saw him, he passed by on the other side. ...Hebrews 13:3
Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering with them.Colossians 3:12-13
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. / Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.Isaiah 41:6
Each one helps the other and says to his brother, “Be strong!”

Job 4:3,4
Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands…

Job 16:5
But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.

Job 19:21
Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.

is afflicted.

Genesis 20:11
And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.

Psalm 36:1-3
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes…

Luke 23:40
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

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Job 6

A despairing man
This phrase refers to someone who is in deep distress or suffering. In the context of the Book of Job, Job himself is the despairing man, having lost his wealth, health, and family. The Hebrew word used here can imply a sense of hopelessness or being overwhelmed by circumstances. This sets the stage for understanding the depth of Job's emotional and spiritual turmoil.

should have the kindness of his friend
The expectation of kindness from a friend highlights the importance of compassion and support in times of suffering. In ancient Near Eastern culture, friendship was a sacred bond, and loyalty was highly valued. The lack of kindness from Job's friends, who instead accuse him of wrongdoing, contrasts with the biblical ideal of friendship seen in Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty
This phrase acknowledges the possibility of a person in despair turning away from their reverence or fear of God. In Job's case, his suffering leads him to question God's justice and presence. The "fear of the Almighty" is a central theme in wisdom literature, emphasizing a life lived in awe and respect for God. Despite Job's questioning, the narrative ultimately affirms his integrity and faith. This phrase also foreshadows the New Testament teaching of grace, where Jesus Christ offers compassion and salvation even to those who have strayed, as seen in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Job
A man of great faith and integrity who undergoes severe trials and suffering. His account is set in the land of Uz.

2. Eliphaz
One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him but ends up accusing him of wrongdoing.

3. The Almighty (God)
The central divine figure in the Book of Job, whose sovereignty and justice are explored throughout the account.

4. Uz
The land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel.

5. Job's Friends
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job to offer comfort but instead challenge his integrity and understanding of God.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Compassionate Friendship
True friendship is marked by kindness and support, especially during times of despair. Friends should offer comfort and understanding, not judgment or condemnation.

The Role of Empathy in Relationships
Empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of others. In times of suffering, offering empathy can be a powerful source of comfort and healing.

Maintaining Faith Amidst Trials
Even when someone struggles with their faith, as Job did, friends should remain supportive and compassionate, helping to restore and encourage rather than criticize.

The Impact of Words
Words have the power to heal or harm. In moments of despair, choose words that uplift and encourage rather than those that wound or discourage.

Reflecting God's Love in Our Actions
As believers, we are called to reflect God's love through our actions, demonstrating kindness and support to those in need, just as God shows compassion to us.

(14) But he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.--It is difficult to determine the precise relation of dependent clauses in an archaic language like the Hebrew; but the Authorised Version is, at all events, not correct here, the sense rather being, "Even to one that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty;" or, perhaps, better still, "lest he should forsake;" or, "he may even forsake," &c.

Verse 14. - To him that is afflicted pity should be showed from his friend. Job begins here the third head of his reply to Eliphaz, in which he attacks him and his companions. The first duty of a comforter is to compassionate his afflicted friend, to condole with him, and show his sympathy with his sufferings. This is what every one looks for and expects as a matter of course. But Job has looked in vain. He has received no pity, no sympathy. Nothing has been offered him but arguments. And what arguments! How do they touch the point? How are they anything more than a venting of the speaker's own self-righteousness? Let them fairly consider his case, and point out to him where he has been blamable. But he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty; rather, even though he forsake the fear of the Almighty, or else might he forsake the fear of the Almighty. Job certainly does not mean to admit that he has renounced the fear of God, and become an apostate from religion; but only to assert, either, that, even had he done so, his friends ought still to have shown him kindness, or else that their not showing him kindness is the very way to drive him to apostasy. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

A despairing man
לַמָּ֣ס (lam·mās)
Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 4523: Fainting, disconsolate

[should have] the kindness
חָ֑סֶד (ḥā·seḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

of his friend,
מֵרֵעֵ֣הוּ (mê·rê·‘ê·hū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow

even if he forsakes
יַעֲזֽוֹב׃ (ya·‘ă·zō·wḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

the fear
וְיִרְאַ֖ת (wə·yir·’aṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3374: Fear, reverence

of the Almighty.
שַׁדַּ֣י (šad·day)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7706: The Almighty

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Job 6:14 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Job 6:14 To him who is ready to faint (Jb)