Job 3:20 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

Heb. Wherefore (for what cause, or use, or good) doth he (i.e. God, though he forbear to name him, out of that holy fear and reverence which still he retained towards him) give light? either the light of the sun, which the living only behold, Ecclesiastes 6:5, Ecclesiastes 7:11; or the light of life, as may seem both by the next words, and by comparing Psalms 56:13, and because death is off set forth by the name of darkness, as life by the name of light. These are strong expostulations with God, and quarrelling with his providence and with his blessings; but we must consider that Job was but a man, and a man of like passions and infirmities with other men, and now in grievous agonies, being not only under most violent, and yet continual, torments of body, but also under great disquietments of mind, and the deep sense of God's displeasure, and was also left to himself, that he might see what was in his heart, and that all succeeding ages might have in him an illustrious example of man's infirmity, and the necessity of God's grace to help them in time of need. And therefore it is no wonder if his passions boil up and break forth in same indecent and sinful expressions. Unto the bitter in soul; unto such to whom life itself is very bitter and burdensome. Why doth he obtrude his favours upon those who abhor them?

Job 3:20

20 Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul;