Yet no one stretches out his hand to a ruined man when he cries for help in his distress. Yet no oneThis phrase underscores the isolation and abandonment Job feels. In the Hebrew text, the word "no one" (Hebrew: "אַךְ" - 'ak) emphasizes the absolute nature of his solitude. Historically, Job was once a man of great influence and respect, yet now he finds himself utterly alone. This reflects the human condition of feeling forsaken in times of deep suffering, a theme that resonates throughout the Bible, reminding us of the importance of community and support. stretches out his hand
The act of stretching out one's hand is a universal gesture of offering help or seeking connection. In the Hebrew context, this phrase (Hebrew: "יָשִׁיט" - yashit) conveys an action of reaching out, which is absent in Job's experience. This absence highlights the lack of compassion and empathy from those around him, contrasting with the biblical call to love and support one another, as seen in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. to a ruined man
The term "ruined" (Hebrew: "בְּפִידוֹ" - befido) describes someone who has been utterly destroyed or devastated. Job's use of this word reflects his perception of his own state—once prosperous and now completely broken. This imagery is powerful, evoking the desolation that sin and suffering can bring into a person's life. It serves as a reminder of the fragility of human existence and the need for divine intervention and grace. when he cries for help
Crying for help (Hebrew: "בְּשַׁוְּעוֹ" - beshav'o) is a natural human response to distress, and in the biblical narrative, it often precedes divine intervention. Job's cry is not just a plea for human assistance but also an implicit call to God. This reflects the biblical theme that God hears the cries of the afflicted, as seen in the Psalms and the Exodus narrative, where God responds to the cries of His people. in his distress
The word "distress" (Hebrew: "בְּאֵידוֹ" - be'edo) captures the intense suffering and turmoil Job is experiencing. This term is often used in the Old Testament to describe situations of extreme hardship and calamity. Job's distress is both physical and spiritual, representing the comprehensive nature of his trials. This serves as a poignant reminder of the reality of suffering in a fallen world and the hope of redemption and restoration through faith in God. Persons / Places / Events 1. JobThe central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and integrity who undergoes severe trials and suffering. In this chapter, Job is lamenting his current state of despair and isolation. 2. Job's FriendsAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, they are significant in the context of Job's suffering. They initially come to comfort him but end up accusing him of wrongdoing. 3. The Land of UzThe setting of the Book of Job, traditionally considered to be in the region of Edom or northern Arabia. 4. GodThe ultimate sovereign being who allows Job's trials to test his faith and integrity. 5. Suffering and DistressThe events surrounding Job's lamentation, highlighting the themes of human suffering and the quest for understanding and comfort. Teaching Points The Reality of Isolation in SufferingJob's lament highlights the profound sense of isolation that can accompany suffering. Believers are reminded to be present and supportive to those in distress, reflecting Christ's compassion. The Cry for HelpThe verse underscores the human tendency to cry out for help in times of distress. It challenges believers to be attentive to the cries of others and to respond with empathy and action. God's Presence in SufferingWhile human help may fail, God's presence remains constant. Believers are encouraged to seek God's comfort and strength, trusting in His sovereignty and goodness. The Importance of CommunityThis passage serves as a reminder of the importance of community and fellowship in the body of Christ. Believers are called to bear one another's burdens and to be a source of encouragement and support. Reflecting Christ's CompassionAs followers of Christ, believers are called to reflect His compassion and love, reaching out to those who are suffering and offering tangible help and hope. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Job's experience of isolation in his suffering resonate with your own experiences or those of people you know? 2. In what ways can you be more attentive to the cries for help from those around you, and how can you respond in a Christ-like manner? 3. Reflect on a time when you felt abandoned in your distress. How did you experience God's presence or absence during that time? 4. How can the church community better support individuals who are experiencing deep suffering and isolation? 5. What practical steps can you take to ensure that you are reflecting Christ's compassion to those who are in distress? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 22This psalm, often associated with the suffering of Christ, echoes the themes of abandonment and distress, similar to Job's lament. Isaiah 53The Suffering Servant passage, which speaks to the experience of undeserved suffering and the hope of redemption. Hebrews 4:15-16These verses remind us that Jesus, our High Priest, empathizes with our weaknesses and invites us to approach the throne of grace for help in times of need. People JobPlaces UzTopics Availeth, Broken, Calamity, Cries, Cry, Destroyeth, Destruction, Disaster, Distress, Doesn't, Fall, Forth, Grave, Heap, Howbeit, However, Indeed, Lays, None, One's, Poor, Prayer, Ruin, Ruinous, Ruins, Safety, Saviour, Stretch, Stretched, Stretcheth, Surely, Though, Trouble, YetDictionary of Bible Themes Job 30:24 5801 brokenness 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 30:24 NIVJob 30:24 NLTJob 30:24 ESVJob 30:24 NASBJob 30:24 KJV
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