Job 27:15
His survivors will be buried by the plague, and their widows will not weep for them.
His survivors
The Hebrew word for "survivors" here is "שָׂרִיד" (sarid), which refers to those who remain after a calamity. In the context of Job, this term underscores the completeness of divine judgment. The survivors are not merely those who escape immediate death but are those left to witness the aftermath of God's justice. This highlights the severity of the consequences of wickedness, as even those who survive are not spared from suffering.

will be buried
The act of burial in ancient Near Eastern culture was significant, often reflecting one's honor and status. The Hebrew word "קָבַר" (qabar) means to bury, and it implies a finality and a return to the earth. In this context, it suggests that even the survivors, who might have hoped for life, will face an ignoble end, emphasizing the inescapable nature of divine retribution.

by the plague
The term "plague" in Hebrew is "דֶּבֶר" (deber), which often denotes a pestilence or epidemic sent as a divine punishment. Historically, plagues were seen as manifestations of God's wrath, used to bring about repentance or judgment. Here, it signifies that the survivors will not escape God's judgment, as the plague will claim them, reinforcing the theme of inevitable divine justice.

and their widows
The mention of "widows" (אַלְמָנָה, almanah) in Hebrew culture evokes a sense of vulnerability and loss. Widows were often left without support or protection, symbolizing the complete desolation that follows divine judgment. The fact that these widows are mentioned highlights the totality of the calamity, affecting not just the wicked but their families as well.

will not weep for them
In ancient times, mourning and weeping were essential parts of the burial process, signifying respect and love for the deceased. The Hebrew word "בָּכָה" (bakah) means to weep or lament. The absence of weeping here suggests a profound judgment, where the dead are not mourned, possibly due to the overwhelming nature of the calamity or the recognition of their deserved fate. This lack of mourning underscores the complete and utter desolation brought about by divine justice, leaving no room for the usual expressions of grief.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
The central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and patience who endures immense suffering and loss. Job is known for his unwavering integrity and his deep discussions about the nature of suffering and righteousness.

2. Job's Friends
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job to offer counsel and comfort but often end up accusing him of wrongdoing, suggesting that his suffering is a result of sin.

3. The Plague
A reference to a devastating event or disease that causes death, often seen as a divine judgment or natural calamity in biblical contexts.

4. Widows
In the ancient Near Eastern context, widows were often vulnerable and dependent on the community for support. The lack of mourning by widows in this verse suggests a breakdown of social and familial bonds.

5. The Righteous and the Wicked
Throughout the Book of Job, there is a recurring theme of contrasting the fate of the righteous with that of the wicked, exploring divine justice and human suffering.
Teaching Points
The Reality of Divine Judgment
The verse highlights the severity of divine judgment, where even survivors face dire consequences. It serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the reality of God's justice.

The Breakdown of Social Bonds
The lack of mourning by widows indicates a breakdown in societal and familial relationships, emphasizing the importance of community and support in times of loss.

The Transience of Earthly Life
This verse underscores the fleeting nature of life and the importance of living righteously, as earthly wealth and status cannot prevent divine judgment.

The Importance of Compassion and Mourning
The absence of mourning suggests a lack of compassion, reminding believers of the importance of empathy and support for those who suffer.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
Despite the harsh realities depicted, believers are encouraged to trust in God's ultimate sovereignty and justice, knowing that He sees and knows all.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Job 27:15 reflect the broader theme of divine justice in the Book of Job?

2. In what ways can the absence of mourning in this verse serve as a warning to maintain strong community and family bonds?

3. How does the imagery of the plague in Job 27:15 compare to other biblical instances of plagues or divine judgment?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure we are living righteously in light of the transient nature of life as depicted in this verse?

5. How can we cultivate a heart of compassion and empathy, ensuring that we mourn with those who mourn, in contrast to the widows in Job 27:15?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 91
This psalm speaks of God's protection from deadly plagues, contrasting the fate of the wicked with the safety of those who trust in God.

Isaiah 13
Describes the judgment of Babylon, where the destruction is so complete that there is no one left to mourn, similar to the imagery in Job 27:15.

Ezekiel 24
God tells Ezekiel not to mourn the death of his wife as a sign to Israel, paralleling the theme of unwept deaths in Job 27:15.
Job a Victor in the ControversyE. Johnson Job 27:1-23
God's Treatment of Wicked MenHomilistJob 27:11-23
Zophar's Missing SpeechAlbert Barnes.Job 27:11-23
The Portion of a Wicked ManW.F. Adeney Job 27:13-23
The Reward of IniquityR. Green Job 27:13-23
People
Job
Places
Uz
Topics
Able, Buried, Buries, Bury, Death, Disease, Lamentation, Pestilence, Plague, Remnant, Survive, Survivors, Weep, Weeping, Widows
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 27:13-14

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Library
The Touchstone of Godly Sincerity
Who, then, is this "wicked man," thus portrayed before us? And what are the first symptoms of his depravity? We ask not the question idly, but in order that we take heed against the uprise of such an evil in ourselves. "Beneath the saintly veil the votary of sin May lurk unseen; and to that eye alone Which penetrates the heart, may stand revealed." The hypocrite is very often an exceedingly neat imitation of the Christian. To the common observer he is so good a counterfeit that he entirely escapes
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Whether Hypocrisy is Contrary to the virtue of Truth?
Objection 1: It seems that hypocrisy is not contrary to the virtue of truth. For in dissimulation or hypocrisy there is a sign and a thing signified. Now with regard to neither of these does it seem to be opposed to any special virtue: for a hypocrite simulates any virtue, and by means of any virtuous deeds, such as fasting, prayer and alms deeds, as stated in Mat. 6:1-18. Therefore hypocrisy is not specially opposed to the virtue of truth. Objection 2: Further, all dissimulation seems to proceed
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

On the Interior Man
The interior man is the rational soul; in the apostle: have in your hearts, in the interior man, Christ through faith. [Eph. 3:16] His head is Christ; in the apostle: the head of the man is Christ. [I Cor. 11:3] The crown of the head is the height of righteousness; in Solomon: for the crown of your head has received the crown of grace. The same in a bad part: the crown of hairs having walked about in their own delights, that is, in the height of iniquity. [Prov. 4:9; Ps. 67(68):22(21)] The hair is
St. Eucherius of Lyons—The Formulae of St. Eucherius of Lyons

Wesley in St. Albans Abbey
Monday, July 30.--l preached at Bingham, ten miles from Nottingham. I really admired the exquisite stupidity of the people. They gaped and stared while I was speaking of death and judgment, as if they had never heard of such things before. And they were not helped by two surly, ill-mannered clergymen, who seemed to be just as wise as themselves. The congregation at Houghton in the evening was more noble, behaving with the utmost decency. Tuesday, 31.--At nine I preached in the market place at Loughborough,
John Wesley—The Journal of John Wesley

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
CLEARLY EXPLAINED, AND LARGELY IMPROVED, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BELIEVERS. 1 John 2:1--"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." By JOHN BUNYAN, Author of "The Pilgrim's Progress." London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms, in the Poultry, 1689. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of the most interesting of Bunyan's treatises, to edit which required the Bible at my right hand, and a law dictionary on my left. It was very frequently republished;
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Sinner Arraigned and Convicted.
1. Conviction of guilt necessary.--2. A charge of rebellion against God advanced.--3. Where it is shown--that all men are born under God's law.--4. That no man hath perfectly kept it.--5. An appeal to the reader's conscience on this head, that he hath not.--6. That to have broken it, is an evil inexpressibly great.--7. Illustrated by a more particular view of the aggravations of this guilt, arising--from knowledge.--8. From divine favors received.--9. From convictions of conscience overborne.--10.
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

God's Sovereignty and Prayer
"If we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us" (1 John 5:14). Throughout this book it has been our chief aim to exalt the Creator and abase the creature. The well-nigh universal tendency now, is to magnify man and dishonour and degrade God. On every hand it will be found that, when spiritual things are under discussion, the human side and element is pressed and stressed, and the Divine side, if not altogether ignored, is relegated to the background. This holds true of very much of the
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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