8 God threw a barricade across my path - I'm stymied; he turned out all the lights - I'm stuck in the dark. 9 He destroyed my reputation, robbed me of all self-respect. 10 He tore me apart piece by piece - I'm ruined! Then he yanked out hope by the roots. 11 He's angry with me - oh, how he's angry! He treats me like his worst enemy. 12 He has launched a major campaign against me, using every weapon he can think of, coming at me from all sides at once. I Know That God Lives 13 "God alienated my family from me; 14 everyone who knows me avoids me. My relatives and friends have all left; houseguests forget I ever existed. 15 The servant girls treat me like a bum off the street, look at me like they've never seen me before. 16 I call my attendant and he ignores me, ignores me even though I plead with him. 17 My wife can't stand to be around me anymore. I'm repulsive to my family. 18 Even street urchins despise me; when I come out, they taunt and jeer. 19 Everyone I've ever been close to abhors me; my dearest loved ones reject me. 20 I'm nothing but a bag of bones; my life hangs by a thread. 21 "Oh, friends, dear friends, take pity on me. God has come down hard on me! 22 Do you have to be hard on me too? Don't you ever tire of abusing me?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 19:8-22
Commentary on Job 19:8-22
(Read Job 19:8-22)
How doleful are Job's complaints! What is the fire of hell but the wrath of God! Seared consciences will feel it hereafter, but do not fear it now: enlightened consciences fear it now, but shall not feel it hereafter. It is a very common mistake to think that those whom God afflicts he treats as his enemies. Every creature is that to us which God makes it to be; yet this does not excuse Job's relations and friends. How uncertain is the friendship of men! but if God be our Friend, he will not fail us in time of need. What little reason we have to indulge the body, which, after all our care, is consumed by diseases it has in itself. Job recommends himself to the compassion of his friends, and justly blames their harshness. It is very distressing to one who loves God, to be bereaved at once of outward comfort and of inward consolation; yet if this, and more, come upon a believer, it does not weaken the proof of his being a child of God and heir of glory.