14 For him that is fainting kindness [is meet] from his friend; or he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. 15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a stream, as the channel of streams which pass away, 16 Which are turbid by reason of the ice, in which the snow hideth itself: 17 At the time they diminish, they are dried up; when heat affecteth them, they vanish from their place: 18 They wind about in the paths of their course, they go off into the waste and perish. 19 The caravans of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba counted on them: 20 They are ashamed at their hope; they come thither, and are confounded. 21 So now ye are nothing; ye see a terrible object and are afraid.
22 Did I say, Bring unto me, and make me a present from your substance? 23 Or, rescue me from the hand of the oppressor, and redeem me from the hand of the violent? 24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. 25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your upbraiding reprove? 26 Do ye imagine to reprove words? The speeches of one that is desperate are indeed for the wind. 27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and dig [a pit] for your friend. 28 Now therefore if ye will, look upon me; and it shall be to your face if I lie. 29 Return, I pray you, let there be no wrong; yea, return again, my righteousness shall be in it. 30 Is there wrong in 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.