Job 3:26

Trouble. See on v. 17.

It must not be concluded that Job’s statements of chapter 3 represent a laudable reaction to calamity. This poem contains much of complaint and bitterness that, under the circumstances, may be forgiven but not approved. The fact that Job did complain of his lot makes him seem closer to humanity than if he had been unperturbed by his misfortunes. Job was spiritually great, not because he was never discouraged, but because he eventually found his way out of discouragement. If we wish to see a perfect example of fortitude under suffering, we must look at Jesus, not at Job. Job, in his suffering, cursed the day of his birth; Jesus said, “For this cause came I unto this hour” (John 12:27). In this world of sin perfection of character comes only through suffering (see on Hebrews 2:10; 1 Peter 4:13).