Resource > Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable) >
Job >
Exposition >
II. THE DIALOGUE CONCERNING THE BASIS OF THE DIVINE-HUMAN RELATIONSHIP 3:1--42:6 >
B. The First Cycle of Speeches between Job and His Three Friends chs. 4-14 >
2. Job's first reply to Eliphaz chs. 6-7 >
Job's reason for complaining 6:1-7
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Job said he complained because of his great irritation. His calamities were as heavy as wet sand (vv. 2-3). The Hebrew word translated "iniquity"in verse 2 occurs only here in the Old Testament. We should probably translate it "calamity"or "misfortune."Job implied that his words of complaint were nothing in comparison to his suffering. His situation was harder for him to bear because he believed his misfortune came from God.
"The God he had known and the God he now experiences seemed irreconcilable."40
Job refused to accept his trials without something to make them bearable, namely, complaining. Similarly a person refuses tasteless food without salt (vv. 6-7).
