Job's Despair (Job 3)

How many people across the world are in such despair that death looks like a release? Do we have compassion for such suffering? Let’s begin in Job 3.

Though Job cursed the day of his birth, was he careful not to curse God?

At last Job spoke, and he cursed the day of his birth. He said: “Let the day of my birth be erased, and the night I was conceived. (Job 3:1-3 NLT)

Did the details of Job cursing the day of his birth reveal the depth of his despair?

Let that day be darkness. Don’t let God from above seek for it, neither let the light shine on it. Let darkness and the shadow of death claim it for their own. Let a cloud dwell on it. Let all that makes the day black terrify it. As for that night, let thick darkness seize on it. Let it not rejoice among the days of the year. Let it not come into the number of the months. Behold, let that night be barren. Let no joyful voice come therein. Let them curse it who curse the day, who are ready to rouse up leviathan [a large sea creature]. Let the stars of its twilight be dark. Let it look for light, but have none, neither let it see the eyelids of the morning, because it didn’t shut up the doors of my mother’s womb, nor did it hide trouble from my eyes. (Job 3:4-10 WEB)

Did Job continue to lament his birth in great detail? Do we have compassion on those who suffer greatly in this life?

Why didn’t I die at birth, come forth from the womb and die? Why did knees receive me and breasts let me nurse? For now I would be lying down quietly; I’d sleep; rest would be mine with kings and earth’s advisors, who rebuild ruins for themselves, or with princes who have gold, who fill their houses with silver. Or why wasn’t I like a buried miscarried infant, like babies who never see light? There the wicked rage no more; there the weak rest. Prisoners are entirely at ease; they don’t hear a boss’s voice. Both small and great are there; a servant is free from his masters. (Job 3:11-19 CEB)

Do we feel compassion for those who may see death as a release from their suffering? Are we tempted to ask what God is doing when we are in agony?

Why does God let me live when life is miserable and so bitter? I keep longing for death more than I would seek a valuable treasure. Nothing could make me happier than to be in the grave. Why do I go on living when God has me surrounded, and I can't see the road? Moaning and groaning are my food and drink, and my worst fears have all come true. I have no peace or rest—only troubles and worries. (Job 3:20-26 CEV)

Did Paul also suffer? What lessons did Paul learn in his suffering?

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Cor 4:8-9 CEV)

How many people across the world are in such despair that death looks like a release? Do we have compassion for such suffering? You decide!