14 To him that is ready to faint kindness [should be showed] from his friend; Even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. 15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, As the channel of brooks that pass away; 16 Which are black by reason of the ice, [And] wherein the snow hideth itself: 17 What time they wax warm, they vanish; When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place. 18 The caravans [that travel] by the way of them turn aside; They go up into the waste, and perish. 19 The caravans of Tema looked, The companies of Sheba waited for them. 20 They were put to shame because they had hoped; They came thither, and were confounded. 21 For now ye are nothing; Ye see a terror, and are afraid.
22 Did I say, Give unto me? Or, Offer a present for me of your substance? 23 Or, Deliver me from the adversary's hand? Or, Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors? 24 Teach me, and I will hold my peace; And cause me to understand wherein I have erred. 25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what doth it reprove? 26 Do ye think to reprove words, Seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are as wind? 27 Yea, ye would cast [lots] upon the fatherless, And make merchandise of your friend. 28 Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; For surely I shall not lie to your face. 29 Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; Yea, return again, my cause is righteous. 30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern mischievous things?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 6:14-30
Commentary on Job 6:14-30
(Read Job 6:14-30)
In his prosperity Job formed great expectations from his friends, but now was disappointed. This he compares to the failing of brooks in summer. Those who rest their expectations on the creature, will find it fail when it should help them; whereas those who make God their confidence, have help in the time of need, Hebrews 4:16. Those who make gold their hope, sooner or later will be ashamed of it, and of their confidence in it. It is our wisdom to cease from man. Let us put all our confidence in the Rock of ages, not in broken reeds; in the Fountain of life, not in broken cisterns. The application is very close; "for now ye are nothing." It were well for us, if we had always such convictions of the vanity of the creature, as we have had, or shall have, on a sick-bed, a death-bed, or in trouble of conscience. Job upbraids his friends with their hard usage. Though in want, he desired no more from them than a good look and a good word. It often happens that, even when we expect little from man, we have less; but from God, even when we expect much, we have more. Though Job differed from them, yet he was ready to yield as soon as it was made to appear that he was in error. Though Job had been in fault, yet they ought not to have given him such hard usage. His righteousness he holds fast, and will not let it go. He felt that there had not been such iniquity in him as they supposed. But it is best to commit our characters to Him who keeps our souls; in the great day every upright believer shall have praise of God.