8 My way He hedged up, and I pass not over, And on my paths darkness He placeth. 9 Mine honour from off me He hath stripped, And He turneth the crown from my head. 10 He breaketh me down round about, and I go, And removeth like a tree my hope. 11 And He kindleth against me His anger, And reckoneth me to Him as His adversaries. 12 Come in do His troops together, And they raise up against me their way, And encamp round about my tent. 13 My brethren from me He hath put far off, And mine acquaintances surely Have been estranged from me. 14 Ceased have my neighbours And my familiar friends have forgotten me, 15 Sojourners of my house and my maids, For a stranger reckon me: An alien I have been in their eyes. 16 To my servant I have called, And he doth not answer, With my mouth I make supplication to him. 17 My spirit is strange to my wife, And my favours to the sons of my 'mother's' womb. 18 Also sucklings have despised me, I rise, and they speak against me. 19 Abominate me do all the men of my counsel, And those I have loved, Have been turned against me. 20 To my skin and to my flesh Cleaved hath my bone, And I deliver myself with the skin of my teeth. 21 Pity me, pity me, ye my friends, For the hand of God hath stricken against me. 22 Why do you pursue me as God? And with my flesh are not satisfied?
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.