Job 7:2 - As a servant who earnestly desires the shadow, as a hireling who looks for his wages,

Generated Verse: Job 7:2

What does "Job 7:2" mean?


This verse from Job 7:2 paints a vivid picture of someone longing for relief from suffering and hardship. Let's break it down:

"As a servant who earnestly desires the shadow..." This compares Job to a servant or slave toiling under the hot sun. The "shadow" represents rest, respite, and escape from the oppressive heat and labor. They yearn for the coolness and comfort it offers. The word "earnestly" emphasizes the intensity of this desire. They are not just idly wishing for the shadow; they are actively and intensely craving it.

"...as a hireling who looks for his wages." A "hireling" is someone who works for payment. At the end of a long, hard day, they eagerly await their wages, which represent compensation, reward, and a means of sustenance. They are focused and anticipating the moment they receive what they are owed.

In context, the verse is about Job's desperate desire for relief from his immense suffering. He feels like both a servant working tirelessly under unbearable conditions and a laborer who is waiting patiently and anxiously for his reward (which, in Job's case, would be an end to his pain).

Key takeaways:

Longing for Relief: The verse expresses a deep longing for relief from suffering and hardship.
Weariness: It illustrates a sense of weariness and exhaustion, both physical and emotional.
Anticipation: There's an element of anticipation, but it's mixed with frustration because the relief and reward are not coming. Job is like someone constantly looking for the shadow or the wages, but never finding them.
Desperation: The comparison highlights the intensity of Job's desperation for his situation to change.

Essentially, Job is saying, "Just as a servant desperately wants the coolness of the shade and a worker eagerly awaits their pay after a long day, I desperately want an end to this suffering." It's a powerful expression of his pain, weariness, and longing for solace.