Job Responds: Crush Me God

Job 6

Then Job answered,

“Oh that my anguish were weighed-weighed, and all my misfortune laid in the scales! For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore my words have been rash. For the arrows of the Almighty are within me. My spirit drinks up their poison. The terrors of God set themselves in array against me. Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder? Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.

 

“Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for, even that it would please God to crush me; that ʜᴇ would let loose ʜɪꜱ hand and cut me off! Let it still be my consolation, yes, let me exult in pain that doesn’t spare, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One. What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient? Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of bronze? Isn’t it that I have no help in me, that wisdom is driven away from me?

 

“To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty. My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away; which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself. In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place. The caravans that travel beside them turn away. They go up into the waste, and perish. The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them. They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded. For now y’all are nothing. Y’all see a terror and are afraid. Did I ever say, ‘Y’all give me something?’ or, ‘Y’all pay me a bribe from your wealth?’ or, ‘Y’all deliver me from the adversary’s hand?’ or, ‘Y’all redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?’

 

“Y’all teach me and I will be silent. Y’all explain my error. How painful are honest words! But y’all’s rebuke, what does it rebuke? Do y’all intend to rebuke my words, since the speech of one who is desperate is like the wind? Yes, y’all would even cast lots for the fatherless, and barter over your friend. Now will y’all please look at me, I won’t lie to y’all’s face. Please relent, y’all. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous. Is there injustice on my tongue? Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?