The rabble arises at my right; they lay snares for my feet and build siege ramps against me. The rabble rises up at my rightThe term "rabble" refers to a disorderly crowd or mob, often seen as lower in social status or lacking in moral integrity. In the Hebrew text, the word used here can imply a group of people who are not only numerous but also unruly and contemptuous. Historically, this reflects Job's perception of being surrounded by those who once respected him but now treat him with disdain. The phrase "at my right" signifies a position of vulnerability, as the right side was traditionally considered a place of honor and strength. Job feels that those who should have been his allies or supporters have turned against him, highlighting his profound sense of betrayal and isolation. they lay snares for my feet
The imagery of "snares" evokes the idea of traps set by hunters to catch prey. In the Hebrew context, this suggests deliberate and malicious intent to cause harm or entrap someone. Job feels that his adversaries are actively seeking to undermine him, setting traps to cause his downfall. This reflects the broader theme of the book of Job, where Job is subjected to trials and tribulations that test his faith and integrity. The "feet" symbolize one's path or journey, indicating that Job's way forward is fraught with danger and deceit. they build their siege ramps against me
The construction of "siege ramps" is a military tactic used in ancient warfare to breach the walls of a fortified city. This phrase suggests a calculated and aggressive assault on Job's life and character. In the historical context, siege warfare was a prolonged and intense effort to conquer and subdue. Job feels besieged by relentless attacks, not just physically but also emotionally and spiritually. This metaphor underscores the intensity of Job's suffering and the overwhelming nature of the opposition he faces. It also serves as a reminder of the spiritual warfare that believers may encounter, calling for steadfast faith and reliance on God's strength. Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man of great faith and integrity, who undergoes severe trials and suffering. In this chapter, he laments his current state of humiliation and distress. 2. The RabbleA group of people who are now mocking and attacking Job. They represent those who are quick to judge and condemn without understanding. 3. Snares and Siege RampsMetaphorical expressions used by Job to describe the traps and obstacles set by his adversaries. These terms evoke imagery of warfare and entrapment. Teaching Points Understanding SufferingJob's experience teaches us that suffering can come from unexpected sources and can be deeply personal and painful. The Reality of Spiritual WarfareJust as Job faced physical and emotional attacks, believers today face spiritual battles. Recognizing these battles helps us to prepare and respond appropriately. Maintaining IntegrityDespite the attacks, Job maintains his integrity. This challenges us to hold fast to our faith and values even when others oppose us. Empathy and SupportJob's friends failed to provide true support. We are called to be empathetic and supportive to those who are suffering, rather than judgmental. Hope in GodEven in despair, Job's account reminds us to place our hope in God, who ultimately restores and redeems. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Job's description of his adversaries in Job 30:12 reflect the nature of spiritual warfare described in the New Testament? 2. In what ways can we prepare ourselves to face the "snares" and "siege ramps" in our own lives? 3. How can we ensure that we are providing true support and empathy to those who are suffering, rather than being like Job's friends? 4. What lessons can we learn from Job's integrity and faithfulness in the face of adversity? 5. How can the themes of suffering and hope in Job 30:12 encourage us in our personal walk with God? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 22This psalm, like Job 30, expresses a deep sense of abandonment and distress, yet ultimately turns to trust in God. 1 Peter 5:8This verse warns believers to be vigilant against the devil, who prowls like a roaring lion, similar to how Job describes his adversaries. Ephesians 6:11Encourages believers to put on the full armor of God to stand against the schemes of the devil, akin to the snares and siege ramps Job faces. People JobPlaces UzTopics Arise, Arises, Aside, Attacks, Brood, Build, Calamity, Cast, Destruction, Drive, Entangle, Forth, Lay, Lines, Order, Paths, Pernicious, Push, Rabble, Raise, Ramps, Rise, Siege, Snares, Themselves, Thrust, War, YouthDictionary of Bible Themes Job 30:1-15 8340 self-respect Job 30:9-31 5945 self-pity Job 30:11-12 5589 trap 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 30:12 NIVJob 30:12 NLTJob 30:12 ESVJob 30:12 NASBJob 30:12 KJV
Job 30:12 Commentaries
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