Job - Chapter 16

Job 16.1 Then Job answered and said, Job 16.2 I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all. Job 16.3 Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? Job 16.4 I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. Job 16.5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief. Job 16.6 Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased? Job 16.7 But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company. Job 16.8 And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face. Job 16.9 He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me. Job 16.10 They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me. Job 16.11 God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked. Job 16.12 I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark. Job 16.13 His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground. Job 16.14 He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant. Job 16.15 I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust. Job 16.16 My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death; Job 16.17 Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure. Job 16.18 O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place. Job 16.19 Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. Job 16.20 My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. Job 16.21 O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour! Job 16.22 When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.

Job : Chapter 16

Job's Anguished Response Job chapter 16 presents this righteous man's anguished response to suffering. In this passage, Job vividly expresses his pain and isolation, portraying himself as the target of divine wrath and human incomprehension. This moving text explores profound themes such as unjust suffering, the search for a heavenly defender, and the persistence of hope, revealing the emotional and spiritual suffering of a man in times of trial.

Illuminating Bible Passages

Let's consider five biblical passages that shed light on the intense feelings expressed by Job in this poignant chapter:

Psalm 22:1

"My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cry of anguish?" This verse resonates deeply with the sense of abandonment felt by Job, who complains in Job 16:7-14 of being attacked by God.

2 Corinthians 1:5

"For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow upon us, so our comfort overflows through Christ." The apostle Paul here speaks of comfort in the midst of suffering, in connection with Job's longing for a heavenly advocate, as mentioned in Job 16:19-21.

Hebrews 7:25

"Therefore, he is able to save forever those who draw near to God through him, for he always lives to make intercession for them." This verse echoes Job's hope for a heavenly intercessor, highlighted in Job 16:19.

Lamentations 3:1-3

"I am the man who has seen the affliction of the rod of God's anger. He has led me and made me walk in darkness, not in light; for he has turned his hand against me again and again, all day long." These words from Jeremiah resonate with Job's complaints about divine attacks, as he expresses in Job 16:12-14.

Romans 8:26

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, because we do not know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings that cannot be uttered." This verse on divine intercession underscores Job's desire for a heavenly advocate, as he emphasizes in Job 16:19-21.

Through these passages, we can better understand the depth of Job's suffering and his burning desire for redemption and divine support in his darkest moments.