8 He hath walled up my way that I cannot pass, And hath set darkness in my paths. 9 He hath stripped me of my glory, And taken the crown from my head. 10 He hath broken me down on every side, and I am gone; And my hope hath he plucked up like a tree. 11 He hath also kindled his wrath against me, And he counteth me unto him as [one of] his adversaries. 12 His troops come on together, And cast up their way against me, And encamp round about my tent. 13 He hath put my brethren far from me, And mine acquaintance are wholly estranged from me. 14 My kinsfolk have failed, And my familiar friends have forgotten me. 15 They that dwell in my house, and my maids, count me for a stranger; I am an alien in their sight. 16 I call unto my servant, and he giveth me no answer, [Though] I entreat him with my mouth. 17 My breath is strange to my wife, And my supplication to the children of mine own mother. 18 Even young children despise me; If I arise, they speak against me. 19 All my familiar friends abhor me, And they whom I loved are turned against me. 20 My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, And I am escaped with the skin of my teeth. 21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; For the hand of God hath touched me. 22 Why do ye persecute me as God, And are not satisfied with my flesh?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 19:8-22
Commentary on Job 19:8-22
(Read Job 19:8-22)
How doleful are Job's complaints! What is the fire of hell but the wrath of God! Seared consciences will feel it hereafter, but do not fear it now: enlightened consciences fear it now, but shall not feel it hereafter. It is a very common mistake to think that those whom God afflicts he treats as his enemies. Every creature is that to us which God makes it to be; yet this does not excuse Job's relations and friends. How uncertain is the friendship of men! but if God be our Friend, he will not fail us in time of need. What little reason we have to indulge the body, which, after all our care, is consumed by diseases it has in itself. Job recommends himself to the compassion of his friends, and justly blames their harshness. It is very distressing to one who loves God, to be bereaved at once of outward comfort and of inward consolation; yet if this, and more, come upon a believer, it does not weaken the proof of his being a child of God and heir of glory.