Page 851 - The MacArthur Daily Bible

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AUGUST 19
Their vigor has perished.
3 They are gaunt from want and famine,
Fleeing late to the wilderness, desolate
29:12,13 poor…fatherless…perishing man… and waste,
widow’s. All over the ancient Near Eastern 4 Who pluck mallow by the bushes,
world, a man’s virtue was measured by his And broom tree roots for their food.
treatment of the weakest and most vulnerable 5 They were driven out from among men,
members of society. If he protected and pro- They shouted at them as at a thief.
vided for this group, he was respected as 6 They had to live in the clefts of the
being a noble man. These things, which Job valleys,
had done, his accusers said he must not have In caves of the earth and the rocks.
done or he wouldn’t be suffering (see 22:1–11). 7 Among the bushes they brayed,
Under the nettles they nestled.
8
13 The blessing of a perishing man came They were sons of fools,
upon me, Yes, sons of vile men;
And I caused the widow’s heart to sing They were scourged from the land.
for joy. 9 “And now I am their taunting song;
14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed Yes, I am their byword.
me; 10 They abhor me, they keep far from me;
My justice was like a robe and a They do not hesitate to spit in my face.
turban. 11 Because He has loosed my bowstring
15 I was eyes to the blind, and afflicted me,
And I was feet to the lame. They have cast off restraint before me.
16 I was a father to the poor, 12 At my right hand the rabble arises;
And I searched out the case that I did They push away my feet,
not know. And they raise against me their ways of
17 I broke the fangs of the wicked, destruction.
And plucked the victim from his teeth. 13 They break up my path,
18 “Then I said, ‘I shall die in my nest, They promote my calamity;
And multiply my days as the sand. They have no helper.
14
19 My root is spread out to the waters, They come as broad breakers;
And the dew lies all night on my branch. Under the ruinous storm they roll
20 My glory is fresh within me, along.
15
And my bow is renewed in my hand.’ Terrors are turned upon me;
They pursue my honor as the wind,
21 “Men listened to me and waited, And my prosperity has passed like a
And kept silence for my counsel. cloud.
22 After my words they did not speak
again, 16 “And now my soul is poured out
And my speech settled on them as dew. because of my plight;
23 They waited for me as for the rain, The days of affliction take hold of me.
And they opened their mouth wide as 17 My bones are pierced in me at night,
for the spring rain. And my gnawing pains take no rest.
24 If I mocked at them, they did not 18 By great force my garment is
believe it, disfigured;
And the light of my countenance they It binds me about as the collar of my
did not cast down. coat.
25 I chose the way for them, and sat as 19 He has cast me into the mire,
chief; And I have become like dust and ashes.
So I dwelt as a king in the army, 20 “I cry out to You, but You do not answer
As one who comforts mourners.
me;
30 “But now they mock at me, 21 I stand up, and You regard me.
But You have become cruel to me;
men younger than I,
Whose fathers I disdained to put with With the strength of Your hand You
the dogs of my flock. oppose me.
2 Indeed, what profit is the strength of 22 You lift me up to the wind and cause
their hands to me? me to ride on it;

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