What is man that you keep him in mind
1 Job replied:
2 If only my anguish could be measured
and my misery put on the scales;
3 they would outweigh the sands of the seashore!
It is for this that I speak impetuously.
4 Pierced by the arrows of the Al mighty,
my spirit absorbs their poison;
my heart fails before the terrors of God.
5 Does a wild ass bray when it has fodder?
Does an ox bellow when it has grass?
6 What taste would food have without salt?
What flavor is there in the white of an egg?
7 So everything is tasteless for me,
I am bored with my bread.
8 Would that I get my request,
that God grant me what I want –
9 that he would decide to crush me,
let loose his hand and strike me down!
10 Then this at least would comfort me,
my only joy in merciless dread,
that I have not cursed the will of the Holy one.
11 Will I be able to go on hoping,
what expectation to keep on waiting?
12 Have I the strength of stone,
and is my flesh of bronze?
13 There is no one to help me,
all aid has departed from me.
14 Friends without compassion
made me lose the fear of the Almighty,
15 My brothers have been fickle,
like the flowing of seasonal waters.
16 They were but melted ice
running from under the snow.
17 But summer comes and the river dries,
under the blazing sun no water is left.
18 Because of this caravans get lost,
go to wastelands and perish.
19 The merchants of Tema search for the brooks,
the travelers of Sheba look for them.
20 In vain they expected,
they are frustrated on arriving there.
21 Now you too are unable to help me;
you see a horror and draw back in fear.
22 Have I asked you to give me anything?
Did I say, “Pay a ransom for me,
23 deliver me from the enemy
or rescue me from a tyrant?”
24 Teach me and I will keep silent;
show me where I have been wrong.
25 Honest words I must not resent,
but what have your arguments shown?
26 Do you mean to scorn my words,
or throw to the wind a cry of despair?
27 Would you cast lots for the orphan
and bargain over your friend?
28 But now, give me your attention;
surely I will not lie to your face.
29 Relent, and grant me justice;
reconsider, my case is not yet tried.
30 Is there insincerity on my tongue?
Have I misunderstood misery?
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Comments Job, Chapter 6
• 6.1 Job is bitter towards all these friends who make speeches but do not bring him peace. Now he begs God to let him die before he rebels against him under the pressure of evil (6:8-10).
In 6:15-30, Job emphasizes the abyss which separates those who suffer from those who come to console. How many disguises at a patient’s bedside? Those consoling the afflicted want to hide their own confusion before pain and their inability to really lighten suffering. However, the sick person is not fooled and feels more isolated in realizing he or she is not told the truth.
In chapter 7, Job addresses an absent God. Job does not know God-Father and the trial brings out in him suspicions against a jealous God who watches people in order to punish them.
Yet Job’s complaint against God reminds us of the friction between people who love each other, and precisely because they love each other they are more demanding.
What is man that you make much of him (7:17)? If God is watching over his favorite creatures at all times, could it not be because he cannot live without them?