Scroll to the bottom for thoughts/discussion questions!
One-sentence summary: Job remembers when he was happy and well-respected, laments the fact that he is scorned, and recounts his works of righteousness.
This will be the last of Job's ranting monologue.
He yearns for days past when he was happy. He remembers walking with God, how he was honored and revered by all and sought-after for counsel. Righteousness and justice were like a robe and turban that he put on. He reached out to the poor and comforted widows, took in the weary traveler, and never let anyone go without food or clothing. He felt completely secure, living like a king on the earth.
But now, people younger than him and the unrighteous mock him. He is hated and spit-upon because "God has afflicted [him.]" "[His] soul is poured out because of [his] plight." He feels that God has become cruel to him, opposing his success. He looks for good but only finds evil. His heart is in turmoil and can't rest. He asks for help but gets none. He is in excruciating physical agony, and his heart is in mourning. (It's bad! I don't think most people can imagine the kind of physical pain he was enduring unless they have been through it themselves. For those who have, I have heard that it is a kind of suffering that wears on you like nothing else.)
He recounts his works of righteousness in more detail. He "made a covenant" with his eyes not to lust after women. He has not trusted in riches nor been tempted to worship anything other than God. He has not wished destruction upon his enemies or cursed them. He has not hidden his iniquity "like Adam." He wishes that God would hear him and answer him. He still years for God.
Thoughts/Questions:
In all this, Job still yearns after God more than anything else. Do you think you would be able to do the same?
Have you ever felt like God was "out to get you?" (Perhaps you do now.) What did you learn after the experience?
C.S Lewis said something to the effect of, "The most panful thing in time of suffering is the memory of former happiness." Do you agree?