You have ruthlessly turned on me; You oppose me with Your strong hand. You have turnedThis phrase marks a pivotal moment in Job's lament, where he perceives a shift in his relationship with God. The Hebrew root for "turned" is "הָפַךְ" (haphak), which can mean to overturn or transform. In the context of Job's suffering, it suggests a dramatic reversal of fortune. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern belief in the capriciousness of the divine, where gods could change their favor unpredictably. Job feels that God, who once blessed him, has now become his adversary. cruel to me
The word "cruel" in Hebrew is "אַכְזָר" (akzar), which conveys a sense of harshness or severity. Job's use of this term indicates the depth of his anguish and the intensity of his perception of God's actions. In the broader scriptural context, this reflects the struggle to reconcile the nature of a loving God with the experience of suffering. Job's raw honesty in expressing his feelings is a testament to the authenticity of his relationship with God, even in times of distress. You oppose me
The phrase "oppose me" comes from the Hebrew "יָצַב" (yatsab), meaning to set oneself against or to confront. This imagery evokes a sense of God as an adversary, standing in opposition to Job. In the ancient world, such language would be understood as a legal or military confrontation. Job feels besieged by God, highlighting the intensity of his trial and the depth of his isolation. with Your strong hand
The "strong hand" is a powerful biblical metaphor often used to describe God's might and authority. The Hebrew word "חָזָק" (chazaq) implies strength and firmness. In Exodus, God's "strong hand" is associated with deliverance and power. Here, however, Job experiences it as a force against him, underscoring the paradox of divine power that can both save and, in Job's perception, afflict. This duality challenges believers to trust in God's sovereignty, even when His ways are inscrutable. Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, experiencing intense suffering and questioning God's justice. 2. GodThe Almighty Creator, whom Job addresses directly in this verse, expressing his feelings of abandonment and divine opposition. 3. Job's SufferingThe context of this verse is Job's lament over his profound suffering, which he perceives as being inflicted by God Himself. Teaching Points Understanding SufferingSuffering is a complex part of the human experience and can feel like divine opposition. Job's lament is a raw and honest expression of this struggle. God's SovereigntyEven when it seems like God is against us, His sovereignty and ultimate plan are beyond our understanding. Trusting in His character is crucial. The Role of LamentLament is a biblical way to process pain and suffering. It allows believers to express their deepest emotions while still engaging with God. Faith Amidst TrialsJob's account encourages believers to maintain faith even when circumstances are dire and God seems distant. Hope in RestorationThe Book of Job ultimately points to restoration and vindication, reminding us that God can bring good out of suffering. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Job's expression of feeling abandoned by God in Job 30:21 resonate with your own experiences of suffering? 2. In what ways can the practice of lament, as seen in Job and the Psalms, be a healthy part of your spiritual life? 3. How do other biblical figures, such as Jeremiah or Paul, provide insight into understanding and enduring suffering? 4. What does Job's account teach us about the nature of God's sovereignty and our response to it during difficult times? 5. How can you find hope and assurance in God's character and promises when you feel like He is distant or against you? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 22This psalm, like Job 30, expresses a feeling of abandonment by God, yet it transitions into trust and hope in God's deliverance. Lamentations 3The prophet Jeremiah also laments severe affliction and feels God's hand against him, yet he ultimately finds hope in God's faithfulness. 2 Corinthians 12Paul speaks of a "thorn in the flesh" and how God's grace is sufficient, showing that suffering can have a purpose in God's plan. People JobPlaces UzTopics Attack, Changed, Cruel, Fierce, Hast, Hatest, Opposest, Oppresest, Persecute, Persecutest, Pursuest, Ruthlessly, Strength, Strong, ThyselfDictionary of Bible Themes Job 30:21 8723 doubt, results of Job 30:9-31 5945 self-pity Library Christian Sympathy
Job, in his great indignation at the shameful accusation of unkindness to the needy, pours forth the following very solemn imprecation--"If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; if I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; if his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; if I have lifted up my …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 8: 1863What Carey did for Science --Founder of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of India
Carey's relation to science and economics--State of the peasantry--Carey a careful scientific observer--Specially a botanist--Becomes the friend of Dr. Roxburgh of the Company's Botanic Garden--Orders seeds and instruments of husbandry--All his researches subordinate to his spiritual mission--His eminence as a botanist acknowledged in the history of the science--His own botanic garden and park at Serampore--The poet Montgomery on the daisies there--Borneo--Carey's paper in the Asiatic Researches …
George Smith—The Life of William Carey Whether the Limbo of Hell is the Same as Abraham's Bosom?
Objection 1: It would seem that the limbo of hell is not the same as Abraham's bosom. For according to Augustine (Gen. ad lit. xxxiii): "I have not yet found Scripture mentioning hell in a favorable sense." Now Abraham's bosom is taken in a favorable sense, as Augustine goes on to say (Gen. ad lit. xxxiii): "Surely no one would be allowed to give an unfavorable signification to Abraham's bosom and the place of rest whither the godly poor man was carried by the angels." Therefore Abraham's bosom is …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Of Confession of Our Infirmity and of the Miseries of this Life
I will acknowledge my sin unto Thee;(1) I will confess to Thee, Lord, my infirmity. It is often a small thing which casteth me down and maketh me sad. I resolve that I will act bravely, but when a little temptation cometh, immediately I am in a great strait. Wonderfully small sometimes is the matter whence a grievous temptation cometh, and whilst I imagine myself safe for a little space; when I am not considering, I find myself often almost overcome by a little puff of wind. 2. Behold, therefore, …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Epistle xxxvi. To Maximus, Bishop of Salona .
To Maximus, Bishop of Salona [113] . Gregory to Maximus, &c. When our common son the presbyter Veteranus came to the Roman city, he found me so weak from the pains of gout as to be quite unable to answer thy Fraternity's letters myself. And indeed with regard to the nation of the Sclaves [114] , from which you are in great danger, I am exceedingly afflicted and disturbed. I am afflicted as suffering already in your suffering: I am disturbed, because they have already begun to enter Italy by way …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Messiah Unpitied, and Without a Comforter
Reproach [Rebuke] hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. T he greatness of suffering cannot be certainly estimated by the single consideration of the immediate, apparent cause; the impression it actually makes upon the mind of the sufferer, must likewise be taken into the account. That which is a heavy trial to one person, may be much lighter to another, and, perhaps, no trial at all. And a state …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Epistle Xlv. To Theoctista, Patrician .
To Theoctista, Patrician [153] . Gregory to Theoctista, &c. We ought to give great thanks to Almighty God, that our most pious and most benignant Emperors have near them kinsfolk of their race, whose life and conversation is such as to give us all great joy. Hence too we should continually pray for these our lords, that their life, with that of all who belong to them, may by the protection of heavenly grace be preserved through long and tranquil times. I have to inform you, however, that I have …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great No Sorrow Like Messiah's Sorrow
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Behold, and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow! A lthough the Scriptures of the Old Testament, the law of Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophecies (Luke 24:44) , bear an harmonious testimony to MESSIAH ; it is not necessary to suppose that every single passage has an immediate and direct relation to Him. A method of exposition has frequently obtained [frequently been in vogue], of a fanciful and allegorical cast [contrivance], under the pretext …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Love
The rule of obedience being the moral law, comprehended in the Ten Commandments, the next question is: What is the sum of the Ten Commandments? The sum of the Ten Commandments is, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind, and our neighbour as ourselves. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.' Deut 6: 5. The duty called for is love, yea, the strength of love, with all …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Second Stage of Jewish Trial. Jesus Condemned by Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin.
(Palace of Caiaphas. Friday.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 57, 59-68; ^B Mark XIV. 53, 55-65; ^C Luke XXII. 54, 63-65; ^D John XVIII. 24. ^d 24 Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. [Foiled in his attempted examination of Jesus, Annas sends him to trial.] ^b and there come together with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. ^a 57 And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, ^c and brought him into the high priest's house. ^a where …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel 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 Links Job 30:21 NIVJob 30:21 NLTJob 30:21 ESVJob 30:21 NASBJob 30:21 KJV
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