A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. A despairing manThis phrase refers to someone who is in deep distress or suffering. In the context of the Book of Job, Job himself is the despairing man, having lost his wealth, health, and family. The Hebrew word used here can imply a sense of hopelessness or being overwhelmed by circumstances. This sets the stage for understanding the depth of Job's emotional and spiritual turmoil. should have the kindness of his friend
The expectation of kindness from a friend highlights the importance of compassion and support in times of suffering. In ancient Near Eastern culture, friendship was a sacred bond, and loyalty was highly valued. The lack of kindness from Job's friends, who instead accuse him of wrongdoing, contrasts with the biblical ideal of friendship seen in Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty
This phrase acknowledges the possibility of a person in despair turning away from their reverence or fear of God. In Job's case, his suffering leads him to question God's justice and presence. The "fear of the Almighty" is a central theme in wisdom literature, emphasizing a life lived in awe and respect for God. Despite Job's questioning, the narrative ultimately affirms his integrity and faith. This phrase also foreshadows the New Testament teaching of grace, where Jesus Christ offers compassion and salvation even to those who have strayed, as seen in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man of great faith and integrity who undergoes severe trials and suffering. His account is set in the land of Uz. 2. EliphazOne of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him but ends up accusing him of wrongdoing. 3. The Almighty (God)The central divine figure in the Book of Job, whose sovereignty and justice are explored throughout the account. 4. UzThe land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel. 5. Job's FriendsEliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job to offer comfort but instead challenge his integrity and understanding of God. Teaching Points The Importance of Compassionate FriendshipTrue friendship is marked by kindness and support, especially during times of despair. Friends should offer comfort and understanding, not judgment or condemnation. The Role of Empathy in RelationshipsEmpathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of others. In times of suffering, offering empathy can be a powerful source of comfort and healing. Maintaining Faith Amidst TrialsEven when someone struggles with their faith, as Job did, friends should remain supportive and compassionate, helping to restore and encourage rather than criticize. The Impact of WordsWords have the power to heal or harm. In moments of despair, choose words that uplift and encourage rather than those that wound or discourage. Reflecting God's Love in Our ActionsAs believers, we are called to reflect God's love through our actions, demonstrating kindness and support to those in need, just as God shows compassion to us. Bible Study Questions 1. How can we ensure that our friendships reflect the kindness and support described in Job 6:14? 2. In what ways can we offer empathy and understanding to friends who are struggling with their faith? 3. How do the actions of Job's friends serve as a warning for how not to respond to someone in despair? 4. What practical steps can we take to bear one another's burdens, as encouraged in Galatians 6:2? 5. How can reflecting on Job's perseverance and God's compassion in James 5:11 help us support others in their trials? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 17:17This verse highlights the importance of a friend who loves at all times, reinforcing the idea that true friendship is steadfast, especially in adversity. Galatians 6:2Encourages believers to bear one another's burdens, which aligns with the expectation of kindness and support in times of despair. 1 Thessalonians 5:11Calls for mutual encouragement and building each other up, reflecting the need for kindness and support among friends. James 5:11References Job's perseverance and the Lord's compassion, providing a broader context for understanding suffering and divine mercy. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10Emphasizes the value of companionship and mutual support, which is relevant to the theme of friendship in Job 6:14. People Job, TemaPlaces Sheba, Tema, UzTopics Afflicted, Almighty, Despairing, Despiser, Devotion, Due, Faint, Fainting, Fear, Forsake, Forsakes, Forsaketh, Friend, Friends, Heart, Kindness, Meet, Mighty, Pity, Ready, Ruler, Shame, Shewed, Showed, Shown, Shut, Though, WithholdsDictionary of Bible Themes Job 6:14 8713 discouragement
8741 failure Job 6:14-17 5692 friends, bad
8841 unfaithfulness, to people Job 6:14-18 5963 sympathy Library July 12 Evening
Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.--HEB. 10:24. How forcible are right words!--I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance. They that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.--If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily PathOf Sufferings
Of Sufferings Be patient under all the sufferings which God is pleased to send you: if your love to Him be pure, you will not seek Him less on Calvary, than on Tabor; and, surely, He should be as much loved on that as on this, since it was on Calvary He made the greater display of His Love for you. Be not like those, who give themselves to Him at one season, and withdraw from Him at another: they give themselves only to be caressed; and wrest themselves back again, when they come to be crucified, …
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer "Now the God of Hope Fill You with all Joy and Peace in Believing," &C.
Rom. xv. 13.--"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing," &c. It is usual for the Lord in his word to turn his precepts unto promises, which shows us, that the commandments of God do not so much import an ability in us, or suppose strength to fulfil them, as declare that obligation which lies upon us, and his purpose and intention to accomplish in some, what he requires of all: and therefore we should accordingly convert all his precepts unto prayers, seeing he hath made …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning "Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." Christ hath left us his peace, as the great and comprehensive legacy, "My peace I leave you," John xiv. 27. And this was not peace in the world that he enjoyed; you know what his life was, a continual warfare; but a peace above the world, that passeth understanding. "In the world you shall have trouble, but in me you shall have peace," saith Christ,--a peace that shall make trouble …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Holiness of God
The next attribute is God's holiness. Exod 15:51. Glorious in holiness.' Holiness is the most sparkling jewel of his crown; it is the name by which God is known. Psa 111:1. Holy and reverend is his name.' He is the holy One.' Job 6:60. Seraphims cry, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.' Isa 6:6. His power makes him mighty, his holiness makes him glorious. God's holiness consists in his perfect love of righteousness, and abhorrence of evil. Of purer eyes than …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Sinner Stripped of his Vain Pleas.
1, 2. The vanity of those pleas which sinners may secretly confide in, is so apparent that they will be ashamed at last to mention them before God.--3. Such as, that they descended from pious us parents.--4. That they had attended to the speculative part of religion.--5. That they had entertained sound notion..--6, 7. That they had expressed a zealous regard to religion, and attended the outward forms of worship with those they apprehended the purest churches.--8. That they had been free from gross …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul Joy
'The fruit of the Spirit is joy.' Gal 5:52. The third fruit of justification, adoption, and sanctification, is joy in the Holy Ghost. Joy is setting the soul upon the top of a pinnacle - it is the cream of the sincere milk of the word. Spiritual joy is a sweet and delightful passion, arising from the apprehension and feeling of some good, whereby the soul is supported under present troubles, and fenced against future fear. I. It is a delightful passion. It is contrary to sorrow, which is a perturbation …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity A Solemn Address to those who Will not be Persuaded to Fall in with the Design of the Gospel.
1. Universal success not to be expected.--2-4. Yet, as unwilling absolutely to give up any, the author addresses thou who doubt the truth of Christianity, urging an inquiry into its evidences, and directing to prayer methods for that purpose.--5 Those who determine to give it up without further examination.--6. And presume to set themselves to oppose it.--7, 8. Those who speculatively assent to Christianity as true, and yet will sit down without any practical regard to its most important and acknowledged …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul "And we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind, have Taken us Away. "
Isaiah lxiv. 6.--"And we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Here they join the punishment with the deserving cause, their uncleanness and their iniquities, and so take it upon them, and subscribe to the righteousness of God's dealing. We would say this much in general--First, Nobody needeth to quarrel God for his dealing. He will always be justified when he is judged. If the Lord deal more sharply with you than with others, you may judge there is a difference …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning 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 6:14 NIVJob 6:14 NLTJob 6:14 ESVJob 6:14 NASBJob 6:14 KJV
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