Job 30:5
They were banished from among men, shouted down like thieves,
They were banished
The phrase "They were banished" indicates a forceful removal or expulsion from society. In the Hebrew context, the word used here can imply a casting out that is both physical and social. Historically, being banished was a severe punishment, often reserved for those who were considered unclean or dangerous to the community. This reflects the deep sense of alienation and rejection that Job feels, as he compares his current state to that of outcasts.

from among men
This phrase emphasizes the separation from the community. In ancient times, community was central to identity and survival. To be removed "from among men" was to lose one's place, support, and identity. It underscores the depth of Job's isolation, as he feels cut off from the very fabric of human society, much like those who are marginalized and forgotten.

shouted down
The term "shouted down" suggests a public denouncement or humiliation. In the Hebrew tradition, shouting was often used to express scorn or to drive someone away. This reflects the intense social stigma and disgrace that Job experiences. It is not just a quiet rejection but a loud, public declaration of his supposed unworthiness, echoing the cries of those who are unjustly condemned.

like thieves
Comparing them to "thieves" implies a moral judgment. Thieves were considered criminals, deserving of punishment and exclusion. In the biblical context, being likened to a thief would mean being seen as deceitful and untrustworthy. Job's comparison here highlights the unjust nature of his suffering, as he is treated with the same disdain and suspicion as those who have committed actual crimes, despite his innocence.

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. The Outcasts
The individuals described in Job 30:5, who are marginalized and rejected by society.

3. Uz
The land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel, possibly in Edom or northern Arabia.

4. Job's Friends
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who attempt to explain Job's suffering through traditional wisdom but fail to understand God's purposes.

5. God's Sovereignty
The overarching theme of the Book of Job, highlighting God's ultimate control and wisdom beyond human understanding.
Teaching Points
Understanding Rejection
Recognize that being marginalized or rejected by society does not equate to being rejected by God. Job's experience teaches us that God's perspective is different from human judgment.

Empathy for the Outcast
As Christians, we are called to show compassion and understanding to those who are marginalized, reflecting Christ's love for the least of these.

Perseverance in Trials
Job's account encourages us to remain steadfast in faith, even when we face unjust treatment or misunderstanding from others.

God's Sovereignty and Wisdom
Trust in God's greater plan and wisdom, even when circumstances seem unfair or incomprehensible.

Hope in Suffering
Like Job, we can find hope in God's ultimate justice and restoration, knowing that our current sufferings are not the end of the account.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Job's experience of being "banished from among men" relate to the experiences of other biblical figures who faced rejection?

2. In what ways can we, as believers, support and uplift those who are marginalized in our communities?

3. How does understanding God's sovereignty help us navigate feelings of rejection or misunderstanding?

4. What practical steps can we take to maintain our faith and integrity when facing trials similar to those of Job?

5. How can the hope of restoration and justice, as seen in Job's account, encourage us in our own times of suffering?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 22
This psalm, like Job 30, expresses feelings of abandonment and scorn, drawing a parallel between Job's experience and the suffering of the psalmist.

Isaiah 53
The suffering servant in Isaiah is also despised and rejected, similar to the outcasts in Job 30:5, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ.

Matthew 5:3-12
The Beatitudes speak to those who are marginalized and persecuted, offering hope and blessing, much like the hope Job seeks.

Hebrews 11
The "Hall of Faith" includes those who were mistreated and outcast, yet remained faithful, paralleling Job's perseverance.

James 1:2-4
Encourages believers to consider trials as opportunities for growth, reflecting Job's journey through suffering.
The Fall from Honour to ContemptW.F. Adeney Job 30:1-10
Job's Social DisabilitiesHomilistJob 30:1-15
A Sorrowful ContrastR. Green Job 30:1-31
The Troubles of the PresentE. Johnson Job 30:1-31
People
Job
Places
Uz
Topics
Cast, Community, Cried, Cry, Crying, Driven, Fellow, Forth, Midst, Shout, Shouted, Thief, Thieves, Townsmen
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 30:1-5

     4466   herbs and spices

Job 30:1-10

     8800   prejudice

Job 30:1-15

     8340   self-respect

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: 1863

What 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

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