Job 27:22
It hurls itself against him without mercy as he flees headlong from its power.
It hurls against him
The phrase "it hurls against him" suggests an overwhelming force or calamity that is directed towards an individual. In the Hebrew text, the verb used here can be understood as a forceful action, akin to a storm or a divine judgment. This imagery is consistent with the broader context of Job, where Job often describes his suffering as being under the relentless assault of God's power. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine retribution, where calamities were often seen as acts of divine will.

without mercy
The phrase "without mercy" emphasizes the severity and relentlessness of the force described. In Hebrew, the concept of mercy (chesed) is often associated with God's covenantal love and kindness. The absence of mercy here underscores the totality of the judgment or suffering being experienced. This reflects Job's perception of his situation, where he feels abandoned and without the compassionate intervention of God, which is a central theme in his lament.

while he flees headlong
"While he flees headlong" paints a picture of desperation and urgency. The Hebrew root for "flee" conveys a sense of panic and haste, suggesting that the individual is trying to escape an inescapable force. This imagery is poignant in the context of Job, who feels trapped by his circumstances and unable to find refuge. It reflects the human condition of seeking escape from suffering and the futility often felt in the face of overwhelming trials.

from its power
The phrase "from its power" refers to the immense and irresistible force that is pursuing the individual. The Hebrew word for "power" here can also be translated as "hand," symbolizing control or dominion. In the context of Job, this power is often attributed to God, highlighting the tension between divine sovereignty and human suffering. This reflects the theological struggle within the book of Job, where the character grapples with understanding God's role in his afflictions.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
The central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and integrity who undergoes severe trials and suffering.

2. God
The sovereign Creator who allows Job's trials to test his faith and righteousness.

3. Satan
The adversary who challenges Job's faithfulness, suggesting that Job serves God only because of his blessings.

4. Job's Friends
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who attempt to explain Job's suffering through traditional wisdom, often accusing him of hidden sin.

5. The Whirlwind
A metaphorical representation of God's overwhelming power and the trials that come upon Job.
Teaching Points
Understanding Divine Sovereignty
Recognize that God's power is absolute and beyond human control or understanding. Our response should be one of humility and trust in His wisdom.

The Reality of Judgment
Acknowledge that God's judgment is real and inevitable for those who oppose Him. This should motivate us to live righteously and seek His mercy.

Endurance in Trials
Like Job, we may face overwhelming trials. Our focus should be on maintaining faith and integrity, trusting that God has a purpose beyond our understanding.

The Futility of Fleeing from God
Understand that attempting to escape God's will or judgment is futile. Instead, we should seek refuge in His grace and align ourselves with His purposes.

Compassion in Counsel
When others suffer, offer support and compassion rather than judgment. Job's friends failed in this, reminding us to be empathetic and understanding.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Job 27:22 illustrate the nature of God's power and judgment, and how should this influence our view of God's sovereignty?

2. In what ways can we find comfort in God's sovereignty during times of personal trials and suffering?

3. How does the concept of divine judgment in Job 27:22 relate to the New Testament teachings on judgment and mercy?

4. What lessons can we learn from Job's response to his friends' accusations, and how can we apply these lessons in our interactions with others?

5. How can we ensure that our faith remains steadfast in the face of overwhelming challenges, as exemplified by Job's experience?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 11:6
This verse speaks of God raining down coals of fire and brimstone on the wicked, similar to the relentless force described in Job 27:22.

Isaiah 30:30
Describes the Lord's voice and the descent of His arm with furious anger, akin to the unstoppable force mentioned in Job.

Hebrews 10:31
Emphasizes the fearful expectation of judgment, resonating with the idea of fleeing from divine power without mercy.
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
Arrows, Cast, Casteth, Diligently, Fain, Flee, Flees, Fleeth, Flight, Goes, Headlong, Hurl, Hurleth, Hurls, Itself, Mercy, Pity, Power, Sends, Spare, Spareth, Sparing, Surely, Try, Yea
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 27:21-23

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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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