Job 16:7 - But now, God, you have surely worn me out. You have made desolate all my company.

Generated Verse: Job 16:7

What does "Job 16:7" mean?


Job 16:7 is a lament from Job expressing his profound suffering and feeling of abandonment. Let's break it down:

"But now, God, you have surely worn me out." This is a direct accusation against God. Job believes God is actively causing his misery. "Worn me out" implies physical, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion. He feels completely drained by his suffering.

"You have made desolate all my company." This refers to the loss of his friends and loved ones (his "company"). "Desolate" suggests emptiness and isolation. While his immediate family is still alive, Job feels like his social circle has been destroyed, either literally (through death or misfortune) or figuratively (through their turning against him or offering unhelpful counsel). He is isolated in his suffering.

In essence, the verse means:

Job is accusing God of actively afflicting him and bringing him to a state of utter exhaustion. God has also caused him to lose his close relationships and sense of community, leaving him feeling utterly alone and abandoned.

Context is important:

It's crucial to remember that Job is experiencing extreme suffering: he has lost his possessions, his children, and his health. He is trying to understand why these things are happening to him and is grappling with his faith. His statements are not necessarily theologically sound assertions, but rather expressions of deep pain and confusion.

Think of it this way:

Imagine someone who has lost everything in a natural disaster. They might cry out, "God, why have you done this to me? I've lost everything and everyone!" This is the kind of raw emotional outburst Job is expressing.

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