Job 33:20 – “So that their body finds food repulsive and their soul loathes the choicest meal.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In Job 33:20, Elihu describes how intense suffering can lead a person to lose their appetite and even find food repulsive. When someone is in great distress—physically, mentally, or spiritually—they may be unable to enjoy even the best things in life. Elihu’s point is that God sometimes allows suffering to reach a level where we lose interest in worldly comforts, turning us away from distractions and helping us to focus on deeper issues. The loss of appetite here symbolizes a heart that is being stripped of its usual comforts and securities, which may ultimately lead someone to seek God more earnestly.
Historical Context
In ancient times, fasting and loss of appetite were seen as natural responses to grief, illness, or spiritual crisis. In Job’s culture, people who suffered deeply often turned to God in their distress, fasting and praying for relief or insight. Job’s intense suffering has left him in a state where even basic physical comforts, like food, bring him no pleasure. Elihu is pointing out that such an experience is not meaningless but can serve as a pathway to spiritual awareness. This understanding reflects a cultural belief that physical experiences—such as sickness or fasting—could reveal spiritual truths or prompt repentance.
Theological Implications
This verse suggests that God may use suffering as a means of redirecting our focus away from earthly things toward a greater dependence on Him. When all the usual sources of comfort fail us, we’re often more open to seeking God. Losing interest in food symbolizes letting go of material or earthly satisfactions that usually occupy our hearts and minds. Theologically, this verse teaches that God can use even our physical limitations or discomforts to draw us closer to Him, moving us to focus on our relationship with Him rather than relying on worldly comforts. It reminds us that God values our spiritual health, even above physical comforts.
Literary Analysis
The language in Job 33:20 is vivid and evocative, creating a powerful image of suffering so deep that even food loses its appeal. The verse uses strong contrast—“their body finds food repulsive and their soul loathes the choicest meal”—to show how intense pain can overshadow life’s pleasures. The description of “the choicest meal” represents things that normally bring joy or satisfaction, but in times of deep suffering, even the best things can seem empty. Elihu’s imagery underscores his message that suffering can strip away our attachment to temporary comforts, leading us to seek lasting peace in God.
Biblical Cross-References
- Psalm 42:3 – “My tears have been my food day and night,” describing how sorrow can take away even the desire to eat.
- Psalm 107:18 – “They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death,” showing how extreme distress affects even the basic urge to eat.
- Matthew 4:4 – Jesus says, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God,” reminding us that spiritual nourishment is even more essential than physical food.
- John 4:34 – Jesus says, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me,” showing that there is a deeper satisfaction that goes beyond physical needs.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, Job 33:20 serves as a reminder that suffering can have a refining effect, helping us focus on what truly matters. While we often seek comfort in physical things, this verse challenges us to look beyond earthly pleasures and find our fulfillment in God. When life’s difficulties make worldly comforts feel empty, it’s an invitation to seek something deeper. This verse encourages us to view trials as opportunities to grow closer to God, trusting that He is using our struggles to purify our desires and remind us that our true satisfaction is found in Him.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse reflects God’s love by showing that He is willing to use discomfort to guide us back to Him. Rather than allowing us to stay focused on temporary things, God may use suffering to strip away our distractions and help us realize our need for Him. God’s love sometimes involves allowing us to experience emptiness in earthly things so that we will seek the fullness that only He can provide. This process, though difficult, is ultimately a reflection of His desire to bring us closer to Him and free us from the limitations of relying solely on worldly comforts.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus perfectly embodied the idea of finding satisfaction in God above earthly comforts. During His time of fasting in the wilderness, Jesus demonstrated His dependence on God by rejecting food, saying that we “live on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Jesus’s life and teachings remind us that our true source of nourishment is found in God, not in earthly pleasures or comforts. On the cross, Jesus also experienced deep suffering and rejection, yet He continued to trust in God’s plan. His example shows us that even in the most intense pain, we can find comfort and purpose in God’s presence.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Have you ever experienced a time when suffering caused you to lose interest in usual comforts? How did it affect your faith?
- How does this verse encourage you to seek God even when earthly pleasures or comforts seem empty?
- What does it mean to find fulfillment in God rather than in physical comforts or pleasures?
- How does Jesus’s example of fasting and reliance on God’s Word inspire you in your faith journey?
- In what ways can we support others who are going through times of suffering that cause them to turn away from earthly comforts?
Reflecting on these questions helps us appreciate that God’s guidance, even through suffering, has a purpose that brings us closer to Him. This verse encourages us to see hardships as a pathway to deeper trust in God, reminding us that our true fulfillment lies not in earthly pleasures but in a life centered on Him.