Matthew Henry Commentary Job 7:1-6

"Is there not a warfare to man upon earth? And are not his days like the days of a hireling? As a servant that earnestly desireth the shadow, And as a hireling that looketh for his wages: So am I made to possess months of misery, And wearisome nights are appointed to me. When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? And I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day. My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; My skin closeth up, and breaketh out afresh. My days are swifter than a weaver`s shuttle, And are spent without hope." — Job 7:1-6 (ASV)

Job here excuses what he could not justify: his desire for death. Observe man's present place: he is on earth. He is still on earth, not in hell. Is there not a time appointed for his abode here? Yes, certainly, and the appointment is made by Him who made us and sent us here. During that time, man's life is a warfare. He is also like day-laborers, who have the work of the day to do in its day and must give an account at night.

Job had as much reason, he thought, to wish for death as a poor servant who is tired with his work has to wish for the shadows of the evening, when he will go to rest. The sleep of the laboring man is sweet; nor can any rich man take so much satisfaction in his wealth as the hireling in his day's wages. The comparison is plain; hear his complaint: His days were useless and had long been so; but when we are not able to work for God, if we sit still quietly for Him, we will be accepted.

His nights were restless. Whatever is grievous, it is good to see it as appointed for us and as designed for some holy purpose. When we have comfortable nights, we must also see them as appointed to us and be thankful for them. His body was foul. See what vile bodies we have.

His life was passing swiftly. While we are living, every day, like the shuttle, leaves a thread behind. Many weave the spider's web, which will fail, (Job 8:14). But if, while we live, we live to the Lord, in works of faith and labors of love, we will have the benefit, for every man will reap as he sowed and wear as he wove.