Job 17:1-16
1 My breatha is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.
2 Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continueb in their provocation?
3 Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me?
4 For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt them.
5 He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.
6 He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetimec I was as a tabret.
7 Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my membersd are as a shadow.
8 Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.
9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall bee stronger and stronger.
10 But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you.
11 My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughtsf of my heart.
12 They change the night into day: the light is shortg because of darkness.
13 If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.
14 I have saidh to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister.
15 And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?
16 They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.
Contents: Job's answer continued. He longs for death.
Characters: Job.
Conclusion: The believer should recognize that wherever he goes there is but a step between him and the grave and should always be ready. However he should allow no hard providence to deter and discourage him in the service of God, but should be so much the more emboldened to persevere in God's way.
Key Word: Darkness, Job 17:12.
Strong Verses: Job 17:9.
Striking Facts: Job 17:3. The believer has a surety with God, namely Christ, the heavenly intercessor. He will plead our cause if we look to Him and no one else can lay anything to our charge. (Romans 8:32; Romans 8:33).