Job chapter 30, our Text today, our Bible focus.

Yesterday in Job chapter 29 this great servant of the Lord was telling us about the way things “used to be,” back before the trouble came, the devastation.

Now today … the way things are, as he suffered Satan’s greatest blows, one after another, and of course their long-running consequences as well. Like the running sores, the grief over loved ones who’ve died, and the scathing criticism of all who “know” why Job is in such agony!

Job 30:1 actually begins … “But now!”

The context almost speaks for itself … “But now they that are younger than I have me in derision.” Kids making fun of Job, not behind his back, to his face! (Remember those 42 young people who mocked Elisha? And the angry she bears? But there’s no supernatural retaliation for Job, not here!)

And Job can no longer sleep at night, internal pain. “My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest.” Job 30:17

Look what Job believes God has done to him: “He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes.” Job 30:19

Desperation nearly, but no cursing God! “I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not. Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me. Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest me to ride upon it, and dissolvest my substance. For I know that thou wilt bring me to death.” Job praying, with no consciousness of God hearing at all, no answer from Heaven!

Nothing is going “right,” it seems. One bad day after another. “When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.” Job 30:26

If Job had only known about the “contest!”

He continues …

“My bowels boiled, and rested not.”

“I stood up, and I cried in the congregation.” Public humiliation!

Then at times he is ultra lonely. “I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls.” Two solitary creatures of the desert!

Dehydration, or fever? “My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.” Or results of starvation, not being able to eat?

No joy, anymore! Who wouldn’t have been depressed? “My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.” Job 30:31, the chapter’s last verse.

This is a first person account (and a reason I believe Job is the author of this Book) of agony, intensified because God is not responding to Job’s cries.

I truly believe Job here is a Type of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The innocent Sufferer indeed!

Who also was mocked.

Who also was forsaken by God!

Who also was emaciated.

Who also cried in the darkness.

Who also was pierced.

But, good news! Just as Jesus, after the Cross (and subsequent Resurrection) was highly honored of God, exalted by God … so was Job!

What beauty is enfolded in Holy Scripture!

What amazing treasures of truth!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell