With great force He grasps my garment; He seizes me by the collar of my tunic. With great forceThis phrase captures the intensity of Job's suffering. In the context of the Book of Job, Job is expressing the overwhelming nature of his afflictions. The "great force" can be seen as a metaphor for the power and severity of his trials, which he attributes to God. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine sovereignty, where God is seen as the ultimate source of both blessing and adversity. The forceful nature of Job's suffering can be compared to the trials faced by other biblical figures, such as Joseph, who was sold into slavery, or David, who faced numerous adversities before becoming king. He grasps my garment
In ancient times, garments were significant, often symbolizing one's status or identity. The act of grasping a garment can imply a forceful removal or an attempt to strip away dignity and security. This imagery is consistent with Job's experience of losing his wealth, health, and social standing. The grasping of the garment can also be seen as a metaphor for the stripping away of Job's former life and the exposure of his vulnerability. This connects to the broader biblical theme of God allowing His servants to be tested, as seen in the lives of figures like Daniel, who was taken into exile, yet remained faithful. He seizes me by the collar of my tunic
The collar of a tunic would be near the neck, a sensitive and vulnerable area, indicating a personal and intimate level of affliction. This phrase suggests a sense of being controlled or constrained, highlighting Job's feeling of powerlessness in the face of his suffering. The tunic, a common garment in biblical times, was often a simple piece of clothing, yet essential for protection and modesty. The seizing of the collar can symbolize the stripping away of Job's protection and the exposure of his suffering. This imagery can be connected to the suffering of Christ, who was stripped of His garments before His crucifixion, symbolizing the ultimate act of humility and submission to God's will. Persons / Places / Events 1. JobThe central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and integrity who undergoes severe trials and suffering. In this chapter, Job is lamenting his current state of affliction and the loss of his former honor and respect. 2. GodAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, Job attributes his suffering to God's actions, reflecting his struggle to understand the divine purpose behind his trials. 3. Job's SufferingThe broader context of this verse is Job's intense physical and emotional suffering, which he describes in vivid and metaphorical language. Teaching Points Understanding SufferingSuffering is a complex part of the human experience and can often feel overwhelming, as Job describes. It is important to seek God's presence and wisdom in times of distress. God's SovereigntyEven when we feel like our lives are being "seized" by forces beyond our control, we must remember that God is sovereign and has a purpose, even if it is not immediately clear to us. Maintaining FaithJob's account encourages believers to maintain their faith and integrity, even when circumstances are dire and understanding is limited. Empathy and SupportAs members of the body of Christ, we are called to support and empathize with those who are suffering, offering comfort and prayer. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Job's description of his suffering in Job 30:18 reflect his overall emotional and spiritual state throughout the book? 2. In what ways can Job's experience of feeling "seized" by suffering help us understand our own trials and challenges? 3. How does the concept of God's sovereignty provide comfort or challenge your perspective on personal suffering? 4. What are some practical ways we can support others who are experiencing intense suffering, as Job did? 5. How can the lessons from Job's account be applied to modern-day situations where people feel overwhelmed by circumstances beyond their control? Connections to Other Scriptures Job 1-2These chapters provide the background to Job's suffering, where God allows Satan to test Job's faith through severe trials. Isaiah 64:6This verse speaks to the frailty and imperfection of human righteousness, which can be related to Job's sense of being overwhelmed and stripped of dignity. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10Paul's discussion of his "thorn in the flesh" and God's grace being sufficient can be connected to Job's experience of suffering and the search for understanding and strength. People JobPlaces UzTopics Abundance, Becomes, Bind, Bindeth, Binds, Changed, Clothing, Coat, Collar, Disease, Disfigured, Distorted, Force, Garment, Gird, God's, Grip, Mouth, Neck, Power, Pulling, Raiment, Seizes, Takes, Tunic, ViolenceDictionary of Bible Themes Job 30:9-31 5945 self-pity Library Christian Sympathy
Job, in his great indignation at the shameful accusation of unkindness to the needy, pours forth the following very solemn imprecation--"If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; if I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; if his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; if I have lifted up my …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 8: 1863What Carey did for Science --Founder of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of India
Carey's relation to science and economics--State of the peasantry--Carey a careful scientific observer--Specially a botanist--Becomes the friend of Dr. Roxburgh of the Company's Botanic Garden--Orders seeds and instruments of husbandry--All his researches subordinate to his spiritual mission--His eminence as a botanist acknowledged in the history of the science--His own botanic garden and park at Serampore--The poet Montgomery on the daisies there--Borneo--Carey's paper in the Asiatic Researches …
George Smith—The Life of William Carey Whether the Limbo of Hell is the Same as Abraham's Bosom?
Objection 1: It would seem that the limbo of hell is not the same as Abraham's bosom. For according to Augustine (Gen. ad lit. xxxiii): "I have not yet found Scripture mentioning hell in a favorable sense." Now Abraham's bosom is taken in a favorable sense, as Augustine goes on to say (Gen. ad lit. xxxiii): "Surely no one would be allowed to give an unfavorable signification to Abraham's bosom and the place of rest whither the godly poor man was carried by the angels." Therefore Abraham's bosom is …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Of Confession of Our Infirmity and of the Miseries of this Life
I will acknowledge my sin unto Thee;(1) I will confess to Thee, Lord, my infirmity. It is often a small thing which casteth me down and maketh me sad. I resolve that I will act bravely, but when a little temptation cometh, immediately I am in a great strait. Wonderfully small sometimes is the matter whence a grievous temptation cometh, and whilst I imagine myself safe for a little space; when I am not considering, I find myself often almost overcome by a little puff of wind. 2. Behold, therefore, …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Epistle xxxvi. To Maximus, Bishop of Salona .
To Maximus, Bishop of Salona [113] . Gregory to Maximus, &c. When our common son the presbyter Veteranus came to the Roman city, he found me so weak from the pains of gout as to be quite unable to answer thy Fraternity's letters myself. And indeed with regard to the nation of the Sclaves [114] , from which you are in great danger, I am exceedingly afflicted and disturbed. I am afflicted as suffering already in your suffering: I am disturbed, because they have already begun to enter Italy by way …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Messiah Unpitied, and Without a Comforter
Reproach [Rebuke] hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. T he greatness of suffering cannot be certainly estimated by the single consideration of the immediate, apparent cause; the impression it actually makes upon the mind of the sufferer, must likewise be taken into the account. That which is a heavy trial to one person, may be much lighter to another, and, perhaps, no trial at all. And a state …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Epistle Xlv. To Theoctista, Patrician .
To Theoctista, Patrician [153] . Gregory to Theoctista, &c. We ought to give great thanks to Almighty God, that our most pious and most benignant Emperors have near them kinsfolk of their race, whose life and conversation is such as to give us all great joy. Hence too we should continually pray for these our lords, that their life, with that of all who belong to them, may by the protection of heavenly grace be preserved through long and tranquil times. I have to inform you, however, that I have …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great No Sorrow Like Messiah's Sorrow
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Behold, and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow! A lthough the Scriptures of the Old Testament, the law of Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophecies (Luke 24:44) , bear an harmonious testimony to MESSIAH ; it is not necessary to suppose that every single passage has an immediate and direct relation to Him. A method of exposition has frequently obtained [frequently been in vogue], of a fanciful and allegorical cast [contrivance], under the pretext …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Love
The rule of obedience being the moral law, comprehended in the Ten Commandments, the next question is: What is the sum of the Ten Commandments? The sum of the Ten Commandments is, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind, and our neighbour as ourselves. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.' Deut 6: 5. The duty called for is love, yea, the strength of love, with all …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Second Stage of Jewish Trial. Jesus Condemned by Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin.
(Palace of Caiaphas. Friday.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 57, 59-68; ^B Mark XIV. 53, 55-65; ^C Luke XXII. 54, 63-65; ^D John XVIII. 24. ^d 24 Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. [Foiled in his attempted examination of Jesus, Annas sends him to trial.] ^b and there come together with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. ^a 57 And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, ^c and brought him into the high priest's house. ^a where …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Job 30:18 NIVJob 30:18 NLTJob 30:18 ESVJob 30:18 NASBJob 30:18 KJV
Job 30:18 Commentaries
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