Job 7

Have you ever been disappointed with God? Did it seem like he abandoned or forgot you or perhaps gave you the silent treatment? Maybe you think that way now. This often manifests as a question:

• “God, where are you?”
• “God, what are you doing?”
• “God, why did this happen?”

King David asked a similar question: “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Ps. 13:1) I’ll ask again: Have you ever been disappointed with God? If so, welcome to the story of Job.

Job lost his ten children and his means of making a living. Then, the final blow struck when disease ravaged his body. The painful sores forced Job to isolate himself at a garbage dump to cope with both his suffering and the oozing wounds covering his body. Three friends came to help, but their words were as hurtful as his ailments. Job’s responses to them center around these five themes:

1. Disappointment with Friends
2. Disappointment with God
3. Declaration of God’s Greatness
4. Desire for Death
5. Desire for Court Appearance with God

We’ve reflected on Job’s disappointment with his friends. Now, let’s spend time with Job as he pours his heart out to God. Today, we will focus on Job 7.

Job was experiencing a time he called “a hard service on earth” (7:1). Sleep was elusive for him. A close friend, who was struggling, messaged my wife, Lori, about a passage she read on a night she couldn’t sleep. Nights can be tough during difficult times. Job expressed, “…So I am allotted months of emptiness, and nights of misery are apportioned to me. When I lie down I say, ‘When shall I arise?’ But the night is long, and I am full of tossing till the dawn” (7:3-4). Let’s pause here: If you know someone going through a rough period, pray for them at night. The nights can stretch long and be filled with physical, emotional, and mental anguish.

And the days aren’t any better for Job. He states that his “flesh is clothed with worms,” consuming his dead flesh. His skin hardens, cracks, and oozes with infection (7:5). He likens himself to a hired worker who longs for the day to end (7:2). His life passes by quickly, with no sign of God appearing. Job feels a deep sense of hopelessness (7:6). He has been contemplating his disappointment with God and is now ready to voice it aloud.

Job 7:11
Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

The word translated as “anguish” means to feel wrapped up and restrained—this trapped sensation results in anxiety and depression. The term translated as “bitterness” conveys a sense of desperation and bewilderment. Job views his inner self as confined within a prison of hopelessness and despair. He compares it to a threatening sea monster that is constantly under guard (7:12). Job’s mention of the sea monster likely refers to Ugaritic mythology, where the sea god Yam was defeated by Baal, or to the Babylonian myth in which the god, Marduk, triumphed over the sea monster Tiamat and established a guard over her. Job is not asserting that these myths are real. Rather, he utilizes familiar stories to articulate his feelings.^[1]

Earlier, Job described how he tossed and turned at night, yet he hoped for rest every evening.

Job 7:13-14
When I say, ‘My bed will comfort me, my couch will ease my complaint,’ ¹⁴ then you scare me with dreams and terrify me with visions

Job shares that when the tossing and turning stops, the nightmares begin. The dreams are so terrifying that Job “would choose strangling and death rather than my bones” (7:15). Job loathes his life and asks God to leave him alone (7:16). He is frustrated by God’s continual attention.

Job 7:17-19
What is man, that you make so much of him, and that you set your heart on him, ¹⁸ visit him every morning and test him every moment? ¹⁹ How long will you not look away from me, nor leave me alone till I swallow my spit?

These words remind us of Psalm 8:4, where the psalmist asked, “What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” However, the psalmist continues in praise of God’s constant care. Job doesn’t feel that way. He said he couldn’t even swallow his saliva without God knowing. In his agony, he wanted God to look away and leave him alone. Job cries out:

Job 7:20
If I sin, what do I do to you, you watcher of mankind? Why have you made me your mark? Why have I become a burden to you?

We will consider Job’s disappointment with God more, but let’s stop here today. I want to wrap up with a few lessons.

God can handle your complaints.
Job did not “restrain [his] mouth.” He spoke from the “anguish of [his] spirit” and in the “bitterness of [his] soul.” Confused and anxious, he felt that God’s presence was more of a burden than a blessing. The book of Job is one of many places in Scripture where we learn to openly share our raw feelings and genuine frustrations with God. Isn’t it a profound demonstration of God’s unfailing love that he allows us to share our hearts with him?

God’s work in our lives never ends in anguish and bitterness.
God lifted Job from his anguish and bitterness. This story has much more—we will see praise, surrender, comfort, and restoration. Disappointment with God is a land we travel through, but it is never our destination. Recall the psalm of David I mentioned earlier: “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Ps. 13:1). That question was sincere, yet David didn’t stay stuck there. Here’s how the psalm concludes.

Psalm 13:5-6
But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. ⁶ I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

When we know God, joy returns in his perfect way and perfect timing. “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Ps. 30:5).

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read Job 7
Consider how real and raw we can be with God. That is a reminder of his unconditional love. 

Talking to God
Tell God what’s on your heart. He already knows.

Have Questions?
Be sure to send your questions to our team. We are happy to assist you as you explore God’s Word. Submit your question below, and we’ll reply soon.

Last week, Craig Wolfley went to be with the Lord. Craig was a former Steeler, the color analyst for the Steelers Radio Broadcast, and a friend. As a tribute to Craig, we re-released a podcast from a few months ago. Listen to my conversation with Craig on The Journey with Ron Moore Podcast, Episode 69.

^[1] Roy B. Zuck, “Job,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 729.