Job Chapter 16 — Job’s Cry for a Heavenly Witness
Job rejects the unhelpful words of his friends and describes his intense physical and emotional suffering, ultimately appealing to a witness in heaven to advocate for him.
1Then Job answered,
2“I have heard many such things.
3Shall vain words have an end?
4I also could speak as you do.
5but I would strengthen you with my mouth.
6“Though I speak, my grief is not subsided.
7But now, God, you have surely worn me out.
8You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me.
9He has torn me in his wrath and persecuted me.
10They have gaped on me with their mouth.
11God delivers me to the ungodly,
12I was at ease, and he broke me apart.
13His archers surround me.
14He breaks me with breach on breach.
15I have sewed sackcloth on my skin,
16My face is red with weeping.
17although there is no violence in my hands,
18“Earth, don’t cover my blood.
19Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven.
20My friends scoff at me.
21that he would maintain the right of a man with God,
22For when a few years have come,
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Job 16:2
“I have heard many such things. Miserable comforters are you all!”
Job highlights the failure of his friends to provide actual comfort during his time of trial.
Job 16:19
“Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven. My high priority is on high.”
Job expresses a pivotal moment of hope, looking for an advocate beyond his earthly accusers.
Chapter Summary
In Job 16, Job responds to the speeches of his friends, labeling them 'miserable comforters.' He argues that their words are vain and that if their positions were reversed, he would have offered them strength rather than criticism. Job describes his overwhelming grief, stating that God has worn him out and delivered him into the hands of the ungodly. He uses graphic imagery of being broken apart, targeted by archers, and weeping until his face is red. Despite his condition, Job maintains that he has not committed violence and that his prayer is pure. He calls upon the earth not to cover his blood and expresses a profound hope that his witness and advocate is in heaven. He concludes by acknowledging that his life is short and he will soon go the way from which he will not return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Job calls them this because their words provide no relief or strength. Instead of offering compassion, they continue to speak 'vain words' that only add to his distress.
Job describes himself as being shriveled up, worn out, and having a face red with weeping. He uses the metaphor of being broken apart and targeted by archers to illustrate his intense physical and spiritual pain.
The witness represents Job's hope for an impartial advocate who knows his innocence. While his earthly friends scoff at him, he believes there is a record of his integrity in the heavenly realm.
Study Note
The phrase 'miserable comforters' in verse 2 is a famous biblical idiom describing those whose attempts at consolation only make a situation worse.
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