The Living Word

KING JAMES VERSION

"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever."

— Isaiah 40:8

Job 17

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1

My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.

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2

Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?

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3

Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me?

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4

For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt them.

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5

He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.

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6

He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.

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7

Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.

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8

Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.

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9

The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.

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10

But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you.

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11

My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart.

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12

They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.

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13

If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.

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14

I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister.

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15

And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?

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16

They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.

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Chapter Study & Analysis

Overview

Job 17 captures Job’s deepest point of physical and emotional exhaustion. He feels that the grave is his only house and his hope is buried, yet he asserts that the righteous shall hold on his way.

CONTEMPORARY APPLICATIONS

1. Holding on the Way: "The righteous also shall hold on his way" (v. 9). Spiritual perseverance is not about feeling strong; it is about refusing to let go of God even when weak.
2. Clean Hands and Strength: Job notes that those with "clean hands shall be stronger and stronger." Purity of heart is a supernatural source of endurance in trials.
3. The Mockery of Men: Job felt like a "byword of the people" (v. 6). When public opinion turns against us, we must find our identity and hope in God’s secret presence.

Practical Lessons

FORMAL PRAYER

Lord, when our days are extinct and our purposes are broken off, help us to hold on Thy way. Strengthen our hands and keep our hearts pure in the midst of the furnace of affliction. Amen.

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