14 He whose heart is shut against his friend has given up the fear of the Ruler of all. 15 My friends have been false like a stream, like streams in the valleys which come to an end: 16 Which are dark because of the ice, and the snow falling into them; 17 Under the burning sun they are cut off, and come to nothing because of the heat. 18 The camel-trains go out of their way; they go up into the waste and come to destruction. 19 The camel-trains of Tema were searching with care, the bands of Sheba were waiting for them: 20 They were put to shame because of their hope; they came and their hope was gone. 21 So have you now become to me; you see my sad condition and are in fear.
22 Did I say, Give me something? or, Make a payment for me out of your wealth? 23 Or, Get me out of the power of my hater? or, Give money so that I may be free from the power of the cruel ones? 24 Give me teaching and I will be quiet; and make me see my error. 25 How pleasing are upright words! but what force is there in your arguments? 26 My words may seem wrong to you, but the words of him who has no hope are for the wind. 27 Truly, you are such as would give up the child of a dead man to his creditors, and would make a profit out of your friend. 28 Now then, let your eyes be turned to me, for truly I will not say what is false to your face. 29 Let your minds be changed, and do not have an evil opinion of me; yes, be changed, for my righteousness is still in me. 30 Is there evil in my tongue? is not the cause of my trouble clear to me?
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.