Job 3:20-23 KJV,ASV

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 3:1-26

The eloquence of grief. This book, so entirely true to nature, presents here one of the darkest moods of the grief-stricken heart. The first state is that of paralyzed silence, dumbness, inertia. Were this to continue, death must ensue. Stagnation will be fatal. The currents of thought and feeling must in some way be set flowing in their accustomed channels, as in the beautiful little poem of Tennyson on the mother suddenly bereaved of her warrior-lord- "All her maidens, wondering, said, ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 3:20

Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery? Why, Job asks, is the miserable man forced to continue on the earth and see the light to-day? Why is he not sent down at once to the darkness of the grave? Surely this would have been better. Man often speaks as if he were wiser than his Maker, and could have much improved the system of the universe, if he had had the arranging of it; but he scarcely means what he says commonly. Such talk is, however, foolish, as is all captious questioning... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 3:20

Two marvels that are no mysteries. I. LIVING MEN ARE OFTEN MISERABLE . 1 . Surprising ; when we consider 2 . Not inexplicable ; when we remember II. MISERABLE MEN OFTEN CONTINUE LIVING . 1 . Astonishing ; if we reflect upon 2 . Not insoluble ; if we recollect (a) to glorify God, by exhibiting his power in sustaining them, and his grace in giving them opportunity to improve; (b) to benefit themselves, by allowing time for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 3:20-26

The stricken patriarch's lament: 3. Desiring his death. I. DOLEFUL LAMENTATION . Job pitifully wails forth that his soul was in bitterness because of: 1 . The miseries of life. Which he depicts as: 2 . The perplexities of providence. To these he alludes when he describes himself as a man "whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in" (verse 23). The term "way" is often put for course of life ( Psalms 1:6 ; Proverbs 4:19 ; Isaiah 26:7 ; Jeremiah 10:23 ); and a man's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 3:20-26

The unanswered question. From the lips of Job words escape which prove how deeply he suffered. "Why?" is ever on the lips of men when they consider God's hidden work. But he giveth none account of his ways. Clouds and darkness are round about him. Happy the man who at all times is persuaded that justice and judgment are the habitation of his throne. The question here proposed by Job is the unanswered question running through the whole book. Until all is accomplished, the design of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 3:21

Which long for death , but it cometh not; literally, which wait for death ' anxiously and longingly (comp. Psalms 33:20 ). And dig for it more than for hid treasures ; i.e. "seek it more earnestly than even they seek who dig for hid treasures." As Professor Lee remarks, "From the great instability of all Eastern governments, treasures were in Eastern countries often hid away". And hence treasure-seeking became a profession, which was pursued with avidity by a large number of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 3:22

Which rejoice exceedingly ; literally, to exultation ' or "to dancing;" i.e. so that they almost dance with joy. And are glad, when they can find the grave . Job speaks as if he knew of such eases; and, no doubt, the fact of suicide proves that among men there are some who prefer to die rather than live. But suicides are seldom altogether in possession of their senses. Of sane men it may be doubted whether one in a thousand, however miserable, really wishes to die, or is "glad when... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 3:23

Why is light given to a man whose way is hid? "Obscured," that is, "darkened," "placed under a cloud" (comp. Job 3:20 , where the sentiment is nearly the same). And whom God hath hedged in . Not in the way of protection, as in Job 1:10 , but of obstruction and confinement: (comp. Job 19:8 and Hosea 2:6 ). Job feels himself confined, imprisoned, blocked in. He can neither see the path which he ought to pursue nor take steps in any direction. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 3:23

(along with Job 1:10 ). The two hedges; of the hedge of prosperity and the hedge of adversity. I. IN WHAT THEY COMPARE . 1 . In being planted by God. Job's prosperity was from God; his adversity was not without God. 2 . In encircling the saint. Job was equally a pious man in both positions. 3 . In being both removable. If Job's prosperity was exchanged for adversity, his adversity was afterwards succeeded by prosperity, II. IN WHAT THEY CONTRAST . 1 . In... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 3:23

The mystery of limitations. Job here refers to two kinds of limitations—limits to knowledge and limits to power. Each is mysterious and perplexing. I. THE MYSTERY OF LIMITED KNOWLEDGE . There are many kinds of knowledge that are of no immediate and practical importance to us. It would satisfy our curiosity if an answer could be found for our inquiries about such subjects; but it is by no means necessary that an answer should be forthcoming, and we can very well be content to go... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 3:1-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 3:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 3:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 3:20-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 3:20-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 3:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 3:22

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 3:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 3:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 3:23

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