Before dawn on the ash heap, one wrapped figure seen from far behind and three men seated a little apart, under a deep, dark, empty sky.

The Book of

Job 3

Job speaks. Seven days of silence have just ended, and nobody knows what to say.

26 verses≈ 3 min1 personBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–3The testBlameless, stripped of everything, and his cryChapter 3
4–14Round oneThe friends speak; Job answers
15–21Round twoMy Redeemer lives
22–31Round threeThen wisdom, and Job's last defense
32–37ElihuA younger voice
38–41The LORD speaksOut of the whirlwind
42The endJob prays and is restored

Job Laments His Birth

After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. And this is what he said:

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Job

If only darkness had taken that night away!

May it not appear among the days of the year;

may it never be entered in any of the months.

Behold, may that night be barren;

may no joyful voice come into it.

Job

Job

May it be cursed by those who curse the day—

those prepared to rouse Leviathan.

May its morning stars grow dark;

may it wait in vain for daylight;

may it not see the breaking of dawn.

For that night did not shut the doors of the womb

to hide the sorrow from my eyes.

Question

Quick question

Job’s lines come in pairs. Here is how to read them.

Job says “among the days of the year,” then “in any of the months.” Why say it twice?

Job

Late sun on the ruins of a great old rough-stone city on a bare plain, sand drifted in its streets.

Why were there knees to receive me,

and breasts that I should be nursed?

For now I would be lying down in peace;

I would be asleep and at rest

with kings and counselors of the earth,

who built for themselves cities now in ruins,

or with princes who had gold,

who filled their houses with silver.

Job

Reflect

Say it to Him

Job does not pretty up his pain, and he says it where God can hear. What have you been too polite to tell God?

Job

Gray first light over the land, a wrapped man seen from far behind, sitting very still on the ash heap.

Why is light given to the miserable,

and life to the bitter of soul,

who long for death that does not come,

and search for it like hidden treasure,

who rejoice and greatly exult

when they reach the grave?

0:12

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Job

Job

Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden,

whom God has hedged in?

Job

whom God has hedged in

Job

Job

I sigh when food is put before me,

and my groans pour out like water.

For the thing I feared has overtaken me,

and what I dreaded has befallen me.

I am not at ease or quiet;

I have no rest, for trouble has come.”

Job

I am not at ease or quiet; I have no rest, for trouble has come.

Job 3:26

Pray

When there is no rest

Pray for anyone who wishes they had never been born, and for anyone who says tonight, “I have no rest.” Ask for the courage to bring the worst of it to God, and for someone to sit with them. If that someone is you, ask for the grace to stay.

Three cries

Whiteboard

Three cries, and none of them is the one Satan predicted. He curses a day. He asks why.

You’ve experienced

Job 3

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A verse to carry with you

I am not at ease or quiet; I have no rest, for trouble has come.

Job 3:26

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