Job 10 and Book of job

After Job mulls over and dismisses his options in chapter 9, he returns intellectually to his position in 7:11-21. All he can do is to speak in the anguish of his spirit. Thus it is not surprising that when he decides to address God directly in Job 10 he repeats the familiar mantra: "I loathe my life; I will give free utterance to my complaint; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul (10:1; see 7:11, 16; 9:21)." Job 10 is Job's most extensive complaint to date about God's treatment of him. So powerful is the language that I have divided this page into three hinge verses or thoughts that drive the entire chapter.

10:3. We cannot hear the tone of Job's first question. How do you think he says it? "Does it seem good to you [God] to oppress, to despise the work of your hands [i.e., 'me'] and favor the schemes of the wicked (10:3)?" It is as if Job is saying, 'You have an interesting theory of the moral government of the world, God. I suppose it aids you in some way not immediately apparent to me--that by oppressing the ones who actually recognize your lordship you enhance your influence and win gratitude. Sure makes a lot of sense, God.'

10:8. Even if we cannot hear the tone of 10:3, I suggest it is said with an air of cynicism, almost like Job's words in 7:12 where he accuses God of keeping as close a guard on him as God did on the primeval sea creatures. But then his tone seems to change in 10:8 to one of forlorn desperation and sadness: "Your hands fashioned and made me; and now you turn and destroy me." So simple, and yet so pungent. The contrast between God's care in shaping Job (10:9-12) and his ruthlessness and even perversity in destroying Job is overwhelming. The Hebrew word rendered "destroy" is literally "swallow" or "engulf." Another vivid word picture to chew on. In addition, note the further use of "turn" (cf. 6:29). God's turning to Job is not the act of a benificent divine creature [note Shakespeare's Caesar saying "Casear is turned to hear"--Julius Caesar 1.2.17] but of an adversary who will "turn me to dust again (10:9)."

10:16-17. Job is on the attack because he feels that God attacked him first. "Bold as a lion you hunt me; you repeat your exploits against me...you bring fresh troops against me ["If I am proud as a lion, thou dost hunt me down and dost confront me again with marvellous power; thou dost renew thy onslaught upon me, and with mounting anger against me bringest fresh forces to the attack"--NEB] (10:16-17)." Remember, also, that God is sending this attack on an innocent person. Job knows that he has done nothing remotely deserving of this humiliating and tyrannical treatment.

Conclusion. So Job simply asks to be left alone (10:20). He knows that his destiny is to descend into realms of darkness. His fivefold repetition of words connoting darkness or gloom in 10:21-22 suggests that he already lives in a psychic graveyeard of inky blackness. 'Leave me alone for a while, God, so I can find at least a little comfort.' Job appears not simply to have abandoned his hope but to have melted under the fury of the divine attacks. Zophar's biting words in the next section, however, will renew Job's flagging energy.

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