Job 6:27 is a verse filled with bitterness and accusation. To understand it, we need to consider the context of the Book of Job and Job's current emotional state. Job is suffering immensely, both physically and emotionally. He's lost his possessions, his children, and now his health. His friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, have come to comfort him, but their "comfort" consists of telling him that he must have sinned greatly to deserve such punishment.
In this particular verse, Job is lashing out at his friends. Let's break it down:
"Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless...": "Casting lots" was a form of divination used to make decisions. Job is accusing his friends of being so callous and greedy that they would be willing to exploit even the most vulnerable – the fatherless. The fatherless were considered particularly vulnerable and deserving of protection. Casting lots for them suggests treating them as mere objects, devoid of dignity or compassion. It implies a willingness to gamble away their future or well-being.
"...and make merchandise of your friend.": This is the heart of the accusation. "Making merchandise" means treating someone as a commodity to be bought and sold for profit. Job is accusing his friends of betraying their friendship by viewing him as an opportunity for self-gain, perhaps by proving their own righteousness at his expense, or even just enjoying the drama of his suffering. They are not showing true empathy or support. They are treating him as something to be used for their own purposes.
In essence, Job is saying:
> "You are so devoid of compassion that you would exploit even the most vulnerable, the fatherless. You're even willing to betray our friendship and treat me like an object to be bought and sold for your own benefit! You are not true friends."
Therefore, the verse means:
Job accuses his friends of being so heartless that they would exploit even the most vulnerable (the fatherless) and that they are treating him (their friend) as something to be profited from, thereby betraying their friendship. This illustrates Job's profound sense of betrayal and abandonment by those he thought were his friends during his time of suffering.
Job 6:27 is a verse filled with bitterness and accusation. To understand it, we need to consider the context of the Book of Job and Job's current emotional state. Job is suffering immensely, both physically and emotionally. He's lost his possessions, his children, and now his health. His friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, have come to comfort him, but their "comfort" consists of telling him that he must have sinned greatly to deserve such punishment.
In this particular verse, Job is lashing out at his friends. Let's break it down:
"Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless...": "Casting lots" was a form of divination used to make decisions. Job is accusing his friends of being so callous and greedy that they would be willing to exploit even the most vulnerable – the fatherless. The fatherless were considered particularly vulnerable and deserving of protection. Casting lots for them suggests treating them as mere objects, devoid of dignity or compassion. It implies a willingness to gamble away their future or well-being.
"...and make merchandise of your friend.": This is the heart of the accusation. "Making merchandise" means treating someone as a commodity to be bought and sold for profit. Job is accusing his friends of betraying their friendship by viewing him as an opportunity for self-gain, perhaps by proving their own righteousness at his expense, or even just enjoying the drama of his suffering. They are not showing true empathy or support. They are treating him as something to be used for their own purposes.
In essence, Job is saying:
> "You are so devoid of compassion that you would exploit even the most vulnerable, the fatherless. You're even willing to betray our friendship and treat me like an object to be bought and sold for your own benefit! You are not true friends."
Therefore, the verse means:
Job accuses his friends of being so heartless that they would exploit even the most vulnerable (the fatherless) and that they are treating him (their friend) as something to be profited from, thereby betraying their friendship. This illustrates Job's profound sense of betrayal and abandonment by those he thought were his friends during his time of suffering.