darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow, darkened because of the iceThis phrase suggests a visual image of water that is obscured or clouded due to the presence of ice. In the context of Job, this imagery can symbolize the obscured understanding or the hidden purposes of God in the midst of suffering. The darkening effect of ice can be seen as a metaphor for the coldness and harshness of Job's trials. In biblical literature, darkness often represents confusion or the unknown (e.g., Psalm 18:11). The use of ice here may also reflect the geographical context of the ancient Near East, where seasonal changes could bring about such natural phenomena. and the inflow of melting snow
The inflow of melting snow indicates a seasonal change, where the snow from the mountains melts and flows into streams. This can be seen as a metaphor for the temporary and unreliable nature of human promises or comforts, which may seem abundant at one moment but disappear when needed most. In the broader biblical narrative, water often symbolizes life and sustenance (e.g., John 4:14), but here it highlights the transient and unpredictable nature of earthly resources. The imagery of melting snow also connects to the theme of impermanence found throughout the book of Job, as Job grapples with the fleeting nature of his prosperity and well-being. 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. 2. Eliphaz, Bildad, and ZopharJob's three friends who visit him to offer counsel and comfort, though their advice often lacks true understanding of Job's situation. 3. UzThe land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel, possibly in Edom or northern Arabia. 4. GodThe ultimate sovereign being who allows Job's trials to test his faith and integrity. 5. Suffering and TrialsThe overarching theme of the Book of Job, exploring the reasons for and responses to human suffering. Teaching Points Understanding the Nature of False HopeThe streams in Job 6:16 symbolize unreliable sources of hope that appear promising but fail to deliver. Believers should place their hope in God, who is steadfast and unchanging. The Transience of Earthly ComfortsJust as the streams are darkened and unreliable, earthly comforts and assurances can be fleeting. True comfort and assurance come from a relationship with God. The Importance of DiscernmentJob's friends, like the streams, offer advice that seems wise but lacks true understanding. Christians are called to discern the truth and seek wisdom from God’s Word. God's Sovereignty in Nature and LifeThe imagery of ice and melting snow reminds us of God's control over nature and, by extension, our lives. Trusting in His sovereignty brings peace amidst trials. Endurance Through TrialsJob's experience teaches us the value of enduring faith. Even when circumstances seem bleak, maintaining faith in God’s goodness and purpose is crucial. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of darkened streams in Job 6:16 reflect the nature of false hope, and how can we guard against placing our hope in unreliable sources? 2. In what ways can the transience of earthly comforts, as illustrated in Job 6:16, challenge us to seek lasting comfort in God? 3. How can we develop discernment to recognize and reject advice or teachings that appear wise but lack true understanding, as seen in Job's interactions with his friends? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's sovereignty in your life, similar to His control over nature in Job 6:16. How did this impact your faith? 5. What practical steps can you take to strengthen your endurance and faith during trials, drawing inspiration from Job's example? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 147:17This verse speaks of God's control over the weather, including snow and ice, which can be related to the imagery in Job 6:16. Proverbs 25:14This proverb uses weather imagery to describe unreliable people, similar to the unreliable streams in Job 6:16. Isaiah 55:10-11These verses discuss the purpose of rain and snow, symbolizing God's word, which can be contrasted with the temporary and unreliable streams in Job 6:16. People Job, TemaPlaces Sheba, Tema, UzTopics Black, Blackish, Dark, Falling, Hid, Hide, Hides, Hideth, Ice, Itself, Melting, Melts, Reason, Snow, Swollen, Thawing, Turbid, WhereinDictionary of Bible Themes Job 6:16 4849 snow Job 6:14-17 5692 friends, bad
8841 unfaithfulness, to people Job 6:14-18 5963 sympathy Job 6:15-17 4260 rivers and streams Job 6:15-20 5590 travel Job 6:15-21 5407 merchants 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 6:16 NIVJob 6:16 NLTJob 6:16 ESVJob 6:16 NASBJob 6:16 KJV
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