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Job 3 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
In this chapter, we see the pendulam swing completely in the opposite direction from where it began. The Job we were introduced to (who didn’t sin or charge God with any wrongdoing) has now allowed his deepest wounds to be verbalized.
He finally lets loose and the emotions that have been flooding his mind come rushing out. He wishes he was never born. He wishes he would have died as soon as he was born. He complains that he must continue to endure this life in pure misery. His bold and scathing response reveals just how low his heart has sunk.
Job’s target is his “day” and not his God. Though one could argue his heart was indirectly calling out God. This onslaught of his “day” includes cursing everything about the day he was born. In ancient times, it was believed that you could reverse the order of the universe by undoing each stage. It was also believed that the 7-day creation was similar to the creation of a person. This is why Job’s language contrasts the creation account and follows a specific day-by-day pattern.
Day ILet it be darkness (Job 3:4)Let there be light (Gen 1:3)
Day IIMay God above not care about it (Job 3:4)So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above the expanse (Gen 1:6)
Day IVThat night … let it not be counted in the days of the year (Job 3:6)Let there be light … to divide between the day and the night and let them be signs … for years (Gen 1:14)
Day VThose prepared to stir up Leviathan (Job 3:8)And God created the great sea monsters (Gen 1:21)
Day VIWhy did I not die from the womb? (Job 3:11)Let us make man (Gen 1:26)
Day VIIFor now I would be lying down and quiet, I would be asleep and at rest (Job 3:13)And (God) rested on the seventh day from all his work … he sanctified it, because in it he rested (Gen 2:2-3)
So what does all this mean? Some have contended it’s simply Job’s harsh tone and speech of cursing creation instead of the Creator.
However, others have tied this phrase to spells and incantations of that time that were recited to reverse the path of life. This particular language is a reversal of a Babylonian Birth Incantation which inverts the language of creation and was believed to “unravel cords” binding the universe. Many of this time (even Jews) believed there was power in particular spoken language and would recite these phrases to try and gain control or access in a situation.
It’s hard to imagine that Job, even at this great point of suffering, would resort to witchcraft in order to improve his present circumstances. He has been an honorable and faithful man of God. There is no sacrifice he can offer to relieve his condition and taking his own life would go against the faith he’s professed in God. Is it possible that he felt he had no other options than to resort to a curse? That’s a tough question and I honestly don’t know where I’ve landed in it yet. I encourage you to study it yourself!
Whatever the case, Job does not curse God personally. He stops short of blaming the Creator, which is pretty amazing considering the circumstances. I can think of a handful of situations where I’ve had to apologize to God for blaming Him in my weakness. I am so thankful for his grace and mercy!