Job 10:15 highlights the inward turmoil of someone torn between the weight of possible guilt and an earnest desire for righteousness.
Job, an ancient figure believed by many scholars to have lived in the land of Uz—likely east of Israel, possibly near Edom—during the era of the patriarchs around 2000 BC to 1800 BC, wrestles deeply with his suffering. He laments his condition, saying, “If I am wicked, woe to me!” (v.15), a statement that underscores his fear that any personal wrongdoing might result in disaster. Job has lost everything, including his health, children, and wealth, and wonders if sin brought these calamities upon him. Yet, facing this miserable confusion, he diligently explores his conscience, hoping to uncover whether he has offended God in some way.
The verse continues with “And if I am righteous, I dare not lift up my head.” (v.15), revealing that even if Job is innocent, he feels too overwhelmed by shame and grief to stand confidently. This sense of unworthiness before God is echoed elsewhere in Scripture, where believers in moments of humility recognize their frailty compared to the Almighty (Luke 5:8). Job’s reliance on divine vindication foreshadows a New Testament theme of God’s grace in Christ (John 1:17), where ultimate righteousness is credited through faith, rather than personal merit.
Finally, Job confesses, “I am sated with disgrace and conscious of my misery.” (v.15), indicating that he is overwhelmed by both emotional and spiritual distress. This candid admission shows how suffering can destabilize even the most faithful person’s sense of identity and purpose. Job’s honesty encourages readers to approach God with unfiltered feelings, trusting that the Lord can handle their deepest lament and doubt (1 Peter 5:7). It also shows that genuine faith does not preclude sorrow, but invites believers to seek divine understanding and comfort in the midst of affliction.
Set to dark mode
Job 10:15 meaning
Job, an ancient figure believed by many scholars to have lived in the land of Uz—likely east of Israel, possibly near Edom—during the era of the patriarchs around 2000 BC to 1800 BC, wrestles deeply with his suffering. He laments his condition, saying, “If I am wicked, woe to me!” (v.15), a statement that underscores his fear that any personal wrongdoing might result in disaster. Job has lost everything, including his health, children, and wealth, and wonders if sin brought these calamities upon him. Yet, facing this miserable confusion, he diligently explores his conscience, hoping to uncover whether he has offended God in some way.
The verse continues with “And if I am righteous, I dare not lift up my head.” (v.15), revealing that even if Job is innocent, he feels too overwhelmed by shame and grief to stand confidently. This sense of unworthiness before God is echoed elsewhere in Scripture, where believers in moments of humility recognize their frailty compared to the Almighty (Luke 5:8). Job’s reliance on divine vindication foreshadows a New Testament theme of God’s grace in Christ (John 1:17), where ultimate righteousness is credited through faith, rather than personal merit.
Finally, Job confesses, “I am sated with disgrace and conscious of my misery.” (v.15), indicating that he is overwhelmed by both emotional and spiritual distress. This candid admission shows how suffering can destabilize even the most faithful person’s sense of identity and purpose. Job’s honesty encourages readers to approach God with unfiltered feelings, trusting that the Lord can handle their deepest lament and doubt (1 Peter 5:7). It also shows that genuine faith does not preclude sorrow, but invites believers to seek divine understanding and comfort in the midst of affliction.