Job 21:5

French NEG79 1979 (Segond Nouvelle Edition de Genève 1979)

Regardez-moi, soyez étonnés, Et mettez la main sur la bouche.

What Does This Mean?

Job is speaking here, asking his friends to pay close attention to his words and be amazed. He wants them to cover their mouths in awe and reflection.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're telling your friend about something really amazing that happened. You'd want them to listen carefully and be so surprised they can't even talk. That's what Job is asking his friends to do here.

Historical Background

The book of Job is set in the Old Testament period, authored by an unknown writer. It presents a dialogue between Job and his friends, discussing suffering and faith. The audience is those who seek understanding of God’s purposes in human suffering.

Living It Out Today

Consider a situation where you've just heard a story of incredible resilience or unexpected joy. Instead of jumping to judge or comment, you might pause and reflect deeply, perhaps even feeling speechless. This verse reminds us to listen and reflect on others' experiences.

Topics

sufferingreflectionspeechlisteningamazementfaith

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Job ask his friends to be astonished?

Job wants his friends to be deeply moved by his situation and words, perhaps to help them understand his suffering and the complexity of his faith.

What does it mean to lay your hand upon your mouth?

It’s a gesture of silence and reflection, indicating a moment to ponder deeply without immediate response or judgment.

How can this verse help in understanding suffering?

It suggests that suffering can be profound and mysterious, requiring thoughtful silence and reflection rather than quick judgments or simplistic answers.

What lesson can we learn about communication from this verse?

The verse teaches that there is value in listening and reflecting deeply before speaking, showing the importance of thoughtful communication.

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