Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass, or the ox low over his fodder?
Eliphaz has just explained Job's ruin to him. Job answers with two farm animals: a fed one is quiet, a hungry one is not. His cry, he says, proves that something real is missing.
The picture in the words
Eliphaz had spoken of roaring lions. Job answers with two animals from daily life.
William KellyThey had been talking about the lions — Eliphaz had, at any rate. But Job brings in a case that fits much better. "Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass?" If he has his proper food, does he bray as if he were starving? "Or the ox low over his fodder?" No, he eats it with thanks.
The cry proves the cause
His friends blame him for complaining over nothing.
Samuel RidoutJob uses several pictures to show that he has good reason for the complaints his friends blame him for. Even a donkey or an ox will be content if it has its proper food. If it complains, we know it has not had its food.
What was starving him
Job's deepest hunger was not physical. He believed God Himself had turned against him.
Samuel RidoutHere we come to the part of his suffering that was probably sharper than anything he felt in his body. What gave his grief its sting was the sense that God's wrath was on him, that the dreadful poison of His anger was eating him up. We know this was a mistake. His poor servant was being disciplined, and that was one more proof of God's love. But Job did not know it, and we should not be harsh with a man who felt that the Lord was dealing bitterly with him.
Right about God's hand, wrong about God's heart
Job never blamed the raiders, the weather or the disease. He traced it all to God. That was right. But his thinking about God then went wrong.
William KellyJob did not blame the Sabeans or the Chaldeans, the lightning, the hurricane, or his disease. He looked far past these second causes. He was right to bring God into the trouble. But he was wrong in two ways, as we find at the end. He supposed there was nothing in his soul that needed correcting. And he supposed God could be something other than gracious while faithful, and patient while righteous. He also left out the power of evil and of Satan — a power God permits, but also measures. And he did not hold on, as he should have, to this: it is in love that God allows His own to be sufferers in this world in a special way.
Where to take the groan
Job pours out his complaint to his friends. That raises a question for anyone in pain: what may we say, and to whom?
Hamilton SmithGod's word allows a groan, but never a grumble... Sadly, we as believers too often talk among ourselves about the failures of God's people in such a bitter spirit that the groaning becomes mere grumbling, or complaining about what God allows in His dealings with His people. It is good for us if we escape these traps by pouring out the anguish of our spirits, and the exercises of our souls, before the LORD.
One sufferer who did not doubt
Job believed God's wrath was consuming him, and he was mistaken. One Sufferer was not mistaken.
Samuel RidoutOne only, and He for no sin of His own, has felt the arrows of God piercing His holy soul. "Why have you forsaken me?" He asks. But not for one moment does He doubt the holiness or goodness of God. "You are holy," is enough for Him, and in meekness He drinks the bitter cup.
Summary
- Hunger — a fed animal stays quiet. A braying donkey and a lowing ox show that something is missing. Job's cry says the same.
- Weight — Job's real famine was inward. He believed God's anger was eating him up, and that hurt more than his losses and his sores.
- Mistake — that belief was wrong. The discipline was proof of God's love for His servant, though Job could not see it.
- Blind spot — Job was right to trace it all to God's hand. He left out Satan's measured power, and God's steady goodness toward him.
- Direction — God allows a groan, not a grumble. Pour out the pain before the Lord, not into bitter talk with friends.