Pray the Word with David Platt is a resource from Radical.net.

Job chapter 30, verses 9 and 10. And now I've become their song. I'm a byword to them.

They uphor me. They keep aloof from me. They do not hesitate to spit at the sight of me.

So all throughout this chapter, Job 30, Job is talking about not just his physical suffering,

although he's talking about that and all that he's lost and just the pain and the hurt,

but specifically he starts at the beginning of this chapter

talking about young people.

He says, men who are younger than I,

whose fathers I would have disdained to set with the dogs of my flock,

how even they are mocking him and they abhor him.

They stay away from him or they see him, they spit, they spit at the side of me.

So Job is clearly reflecting here on the reputation.

So Job is clearly reflecting here on all of the effects of the suffering on his

reputation, how this is brought dishonor upon him. And he's lamenting this in a way that I trust we can

all relate to.

Like we may say we don't live for the pleasure or acclaim or honor of others,

but it stings when our reputation is harmed, dishonored, slandered, when people see us and want to spit on us,

like that kind of hatred, abhorrence is the word he uses. And I don't think we naturally

want that.

We desire to be honored.

And some of this is good in a way that reflects upon God.

Obviously, some of it can be very selfish or sinful or self-centered to want to be honored in certain ways.

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