14 "For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend ; So that he does not forsake the fear of the Almighty . 15 "My brothers have acted deceitfully like a wadi , Like the torrents of wadis which vanish , 16 Which are turbid because of ice And into which the snow melts . 17 "When they become waterless , they are silent , When it is hot , they vanish from their place . 18 "The paths of their course wind along , They go up into nothing and perish . 19 "The caravans of Tema looked , The travelers of Sheba hoped for them. 20 "They were disappointed for they had trusted , They came there and were confounded . 21 "Indeed , you have now become such , You see a terror and are afraid .
22 "Have I said , 'Give me something,' Or, 'Offer a bribe for me from your wealth ,' 23 Or, 'Deliver me from the hand of the adversary ,' Or, 'Redeem me from the hand of the tyrants '? 24 "Teach me, and I will be silent ; And show me how I have erred . 25 "How painful are honest words ! But what does your argument prove ? 26 "Do you intend to reprove my words , When the words of one in despair belong to the wind ? 27 "You would even cast lots for the orphans And barter over your friend . 28 "Now please look at me, And see if I lie to your face . 29 "Desist now , let there be no injustice ; Even desist , my righteousness is yet in it. 30 "Is there injustice on my tongue ? Cannot my palate discern calamities ?
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.