Job 6:7 “I refuse to touch it; such food makes me ill.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In Job 6:7, Job continues to express his deep dissatisfaction with the advice and counsel he has received from his friends. He compares their words to food that is so unappealing that it makes him physically ill. Job’s rejection of their counsel goes beyond mere disagreement; he is repulsed by what they are offering him. In this metaphor, Job is saying that the “food” (their advice) is so distasteful and inappropriate for his situation that he cannot even bring himself to accept it. This verse captures Job’s emotional and spiritual rejection of his friends’ shallow, moralistic explanations for his suffering.
Job’s statement reflects his frustration. His friends have been suggesting that his suffering is due to some hidden sin, but Job knows that their simplistic explanation does not apply to his situation. Their attempts at comfort are not only ineffective, but they actually cause Job more pain, just as bad food would make someone sick.
Historical Context
Job lived in a time when suffering was often interpreted as a punishment for sin, and this worldview was deeply ingrained in the culture. Job’s friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, all operated from this framework, assuming that Job must have done something wrong to deserve his suffering. However, the book of Job challenges this assumption. Job himself was a righteous man, and his suffering was not the result of sin. This created a conflict between Job and his friends, who could not understand why Job would reject their traditional views on suffering and justice.
In the ancient world, food was often used as a symbol of something nourishing or satisfying. By using the image of food that makes him ill, Job is communicating that his friends’ advice is not only unhelpful but harmful to him. Their words were supposed to offer comfort, but instead, they have made his situation worse.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse shows the importance of discerning what is true and helpful in times of suffering. Job recognizes that not all advice is good advice, even when it comes from well-meaning people. His rejection of his friends’ explanations demonstrates that human wisdom is often inadequate to address the complexity of suffering. In times of deep pain, we need more than simplistic answers—we need God’s perspective.
This verse also underscores the idea that suffering cannot always be explained by human reasoning. Job’s friends thought they understood why Job was suffering, but their understanding was limited. This teaches us that when we face suffering, we should be cautious about offering easy explanations. Instead, we should seek God’s wisdom and comfort, which are far deeper and more reliable than human opinions.
Literary Analysis
Job 6:7 is a continuation of Job’s metaphor of food from the previous verses, where he spoke of tasteless food needing salt. In this verse, the metaphor becomes more vivid, as Job compares the advice of his friends to something that makes him ill. This creates a strong contrast between what is supposed to nourish and comfort and what actually causes harm.
The literary style here is direct and emotive. Job’s refusal to “touch” the food indicates a total rejection of his friends’ ideas. The use of illness as a metaphor adds a physical dimension to Job’s rejection, emphasizing the depth of his repulsion. This literary device powerfully communicates Job’s emotional state and his sense of betrayal by those who should be offering him comfort.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Proverbs 25:20 – “Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.” This verse highlights the harm that can be caused when someone gives inappropriate or unhelpful responses to suffering, much like Job’s friends.
- Psalm 69:20 – “Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.” Like Job, the psalmist experiences a lack of comfort from others in times of distress.
- James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” This verse reminds us that when human wisdom fails, we can turn to God for true wisdom in times of suffering.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, Job 6:7 is a reminder that not all advice or counsel is helpful, especially in times of deep suffering. It’s important to discern between what is true and what is merely human opinion. Job’s rejection of his friends’ advice teaches us that we should be careful in how we approach others who are suffering. Sometimes, well-meaning but misguided words can do more harm than good.
This verse also encourages us to seek God’s wisdom rather than relying solely on human understanding. When we face trials, it’s tempting to look for quick explanations or easy answers, but Job’s experience shows that the mystery of suffering often goes beyond our ability to explain. Trusting in God’s wisdom and comfort is far more satisfying than accepting simplistic answers that don’t address the heart of the issue.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Although Job feels abandoned and misunderstood by his friends, this verse points to the truth that God offers the nourishment and comfort that human beings often fail to provide. Job’s friends’ advice was like bad food, but God’s presence is like life-giving nourishment. In Psalm 34:8, we are invited to “taste and see that the Lord is good,” which contrasts with Job’s description of tasteless and harmful food.
A loving God understands our suffering and offers true comfort, not empty platitudes. God’s love is evident in His willingness to walk with us through our trials and offer us something far more substantial than human wisdom. Job’s rejection of his friends’ counsel highlights the fact that only God can fully understand and address the depth of our pain.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Job’s rejection of empty counsel points us to Jesus Christ, who offers true nourishment for our souls. In John 6:35, Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Jesus provides the spiritual sustenance that Job longed for in the midst of his suffering.
While Job’s friends offered shallow and ineffective advice, Jesus offers words of eternal life that truly satisfy. In Christ, we find the ultimate answer to our suffering—not in the form of easy explanations, but in the presence of a Savior who understands our pain and offers us hope and healing.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Have you ever received advice or comfort that felt unhelpful, like the “food” Job describes in this verse? How did you respond?
- How can we ensure that the words we offer to others in their suffering are truly helpful and not harmful?
- What does Job’s rejection of his friends’ advice teach us about the importance of seeking God’s wisdom in times of trouble?
- How does Jesus, as the “bread of life,” offer us true spiritual nourishment that goes beyond human understanding?
- In what ways can you rely on God’s comfort and wisdom rather than human explanations when facing suffering?