Job 7

Soul Sick

Many years ago when my first wife and I parted company I remember the nights of anguish, lying on my bed alone wishing, praying for death. I felt that life was over, I was a failure. My soul was sick and everything in life was affected by it. I didn’t care how I looked, what I ate or how much, when or if I slept, how the house looked – nothing mattered.

I doubt if I have ever been in the same league as Job in subject despair, and hope never to be, but I definitely see soul-sickness in the following verse.

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. – Job 7:11

Most people when they read this verse don’t take the time to analyze what is really being said, what are the words being used. They just assume Job had finally decided to gripe.

However, Job is not saying, “I’ve had it. I’m going to spew out my disgust and bitterness.”

The Hebrew word “mar”, translated as bitterness also means heaviness, or pain. Likewise the the Hebrew word “siyach” is not just complain. It also means to commune, to put forth in thought.

What Job is really saying is, “I can’t hold it in any more. My soul is distressed and sick. I must somehow express the tremendous pain that is in my soul.”

He had lost hope and saw no possible resolution. Yet, as we know, things changed. But it took time. He had to come through the trial.

And for me everything changed too. It took time. Through the care of loving friends and family and God’s grace, I am a totally different person than I was many years ago. I am married once again. My wife is more beautiful than I deserve. The children I have the privilege of calling my own are a true blessing, and I am useful to my Lord and King as a servant in his work.

Thank you Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

To God be the glory, great things he has done.
Jan

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