Job 3:20-22 | MHM | STEP | Job Complains About Prolonged Suffering Job, after expressing his wish that he had never been born or had died at birth, now questions why his life continues despite his pain. He feels that when someone starts to argue with God about their suffering, there is no end to their complaints. Job had already cursed the day of his birth, and now he longs for the day of his death. This shows how easily frustration can grow once it starts. v. 20-22 : Job believes it is hard that miserable people must keep living. He asks, “Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul?” (Job 3:20-22 ). Here, “light” means life itself, which is usually seen as a blessing. But for those who are suffering, it feels more like a burden. Job wonders why God continues to give life when the comforts of life are gone. He describes people who long for death, especially when they have lost their joy, are old and sick, or are facing shame and poverty. These people would rather die, but death does not come. Job says some people even search for death like hidden treasure, and they rejoice when they finally find the grave. If people can desire death because of their suffering, then believers should all the more desire heaven, which comes after death. Although it is wrong to wish for death because of suffering, it is not wrong to look forward to heaven.

‏ Job 3:20-22

Job Complains About Prolonged Suffering

Job, after expressing his wish that he had never been born or had died at birth, now questions why his life continues despite his pain. He feels that when someone starts to argue with God about their suffering, there is no end to their complaints. Job had already cursed the day of his birth, and now he longs for the day of his death. This shows how easily frustration can grow once it starts.

v. 20-22: Job believes it is hard that miserable people must keep living. He asks, “Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul?” (Job 3:20-22 ^a). Here, “light” means life itself, which is usually seen as a blessing. But for those who are suffering, it feels more like a burden. Job wonders why God continues to give life when the comforts of life are gone. He describes people who long for death, especially when they have lost their joy, are old and sick, or are facing shame and poverty. These people would rather die, but death does not come. Job says some people even search for death like hidden treasure, and they rejoice when they finally find the grave. If people can desire death because of their suffering, then believers should all the more desire heaven, which comes after death. Although it is wrong to wish for death because of suffering, it is not wrong to look forward to heaven.

– –