Job Reproves His Friends
…24Why do You hide Your face and consider me as Your enemy? 25Would You frighten a windblown leaf? Would You chase after dry chaff? 26For You record bitter accusations against me and bequeath to me the iniquities of my youth.…

Job 14:3
And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee?

1 Samuel 24:14
After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.

Isaiah 17:13
The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.

Break Cause Chaff Chase Driven Dry Flight Frighten Fro Harass Hard Leaf Pursue Quickly Stem Stubble Torment Tremble Way Wilt Wind WindblownBreak Cause Chaff Chase Driven Dry Flight Frighten Fro Harass Hard Leaf Pursue Quickly Stem Stubble Torment Tremble Way Wilt Wind Windblown1. Job reproves his friends for partiality
14. He professes his confidence in God;
19. and entreats to know his own sins, and God's purpose in afflicting him

Would You frighten a windblown leaf?
In this phrase, Job uses a metaphor to express his feeling of vulnerability and insignificance. The imagery of a "windblown leaf" suggests something fragile and easily disturbed, reflecting Job's perception of his own frailty in the face of God's overwhelming power. This metaphor is consistent with the broader biblical theme of human frailty compared to divine strength, as seen in passages like Psalm 103:15-16, where human life is compared to grass and flowers that are easily swept away. The rhetorical question implies that God, in His majesty, should not need to pursue someone as insignificant as Job, highlighting Job's struggle to understand why he is being subjected to such intense suffering.

Would You chase after dry chaff?
The "dry chaff" symbolizes something worthless and easily discarded, often used in the Bible to represent the wicked or those who are spiritually empty, as seen in Psalm 1:4 and Matthew 3:12. Job's use of this imagery underscores his sense of being unjustly targeted by God, as chaff is typically not pursued but rather blown away by the wind. This reflects Job's bewilderment at being treated as if he were among the wicked, despite his righteousness. The metaphor also connects to the theme of divine judgment, where God separates the righteous from the wicked, yet Job feels wrongly categorized. This phrase invites reflection on the nature of suffering and divine justice, themes central to the Book of Job.

1. Job
The central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and integrity who undergoes severe trials and suffering. In this chapter, Job is responding to his friends and addressing God directly, expressing his feelings of being overwhelmed and insignificant.

2. God
The Almighty, whom Job is addressing in this verse. Job is questioning God's actions and intentions, feeling as though he is being pursued relentlessly despite his frailty.

3. Job's Friends
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, they are the ones who have been accusing Job of wrongdoing, prompting Job's defense and his plea to God.

4. Windblown Leaf
A metaphor used by Job to describe his own perceived insignificance and vulnerability in the face of God's power.

5. Dry Chaff
Another metaphor illustrating Job's sense of being easily scattered and pursued, emphasizing his frailty and the futility of his situation.Human Frailty and Divine Power
Job's use of metaphors like "windblown leaf" and "dry chaff" highlights the human condition of vulnerability. Recognize our own frailty and depend on God's strength.

Questioning God in Suffering
It's natural to question God during times of suffering. Job's honest dialogue with God encourages us to bring our doubts and fears to Him, trusting in His ultimate wisdom and justice.

God's Attention to the Smallest Details
Despite feeling insignificant, remember that God is attentive to every detail of our lives. Trust in His care and provision, even when circumstances seem overwhelming.

The Righteous and the Wicked
Reflect on the distinction between the righteous and the wicked. Job's suffering challenges us to consider our own righteousness and reliance on God, rather than our circumstances.

Perseverance in Faith
Job's perseverance amidst trials serves as an example for us to remain steadfast in faith, trusting that God is working for our good, even when we cannot see it.1. What is the meaning of Job 13:25?

2. How does Job 13:25 illustrate God's power over human frailty and weakness?

3. What does Job 13:25 teach about God's attention to our struggles?

4. How can Job 13:25 deepen our trust in God's sovereignty during trials?

5. Connect Job 13:25 with Psalm 103:14 on God's understanding of human frailty.

6. How can we apply Job 13:25 to our daily walk with God?

7. What does Job 13:25 reveal about God's treatment of the weak and vulnerable?

8. How does Job 13:25 challenge the perception of divine justice?

9. Why does Job compare himself to a leaf in Job 13:25?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 13?

11. In Job 13:25, why does Job accuse God of targeting him as if he were light chaff, if God is portrayed as just and merciful?

12. What does it profit to gain the world?

13. If God is all-powerful, why does He need angels to do His work?

14. If Job 19:27 implies a personal, bodily resurrection, does this conflict with other Old Testament notions of the afterlife?Would You frighten a windblown leaf?

• Job pictures himself as a fragile leaf, already “windblown,” hardly able to endure another gust. His question implies, “Why would the Almighty need to intimidate something so helpless?”

• Scripture often likens humanity to fleeting vegetation. Psalm 103:15-16 notes that “man’s days are like grass…the wind passes over it, and it is gone,” while Isaiah 64:6 says we “wither like a leaf.” Job borrows that imagery to underscore his frailty.

• By highlighting his weakness, Job appeals to God’s compassion; Psalm 103:13-14 reminds us the LORD “has compassion on those who fear Him, for He knows we are dust.”

• Yet Job also recognizes God’s sovereignty: if the Almighty chooses to act, even a leaf must bend. This tension—God’s power and man’s weakness—runs throughout the book (Job 12:10; Job 14:1-2).

---

Would You chase after dry chaff?

• Chaff is the light, worthless husk separated from grain. Once winnowed, it’s blown away or burned (Matthew 3:12). Job wonders why God would expend effort pursuing what seems valueless.

• Psalm 1:4 states, “The wicked are like chaff that the wind drives away,” but Job is a righteous sufferer (Job 1:8). His lament: “Why treat me as if I were wicked chaff?”

• Other passages echo the image of chaff as something God can scatter at will (Isaiah 17:13; Hosea 13:3). Job acknowledges God’s ability to do so, yet pleads that such treatment feels out of proportion to his frailty.

• Chaff also speaks of ultimate separation—grain kept, husk discarded. Job longs for assurance that he remains within God’s favor despite overwhelming affliction (Job 13:15-16).

---

summary

Job 13:25 captures the heart-cry of a sufferer who knows both his own fragility and God’s limitless might. By comparing himself to a wind-tossed leaf and weightless chaff, Job stresses how disproportionate God’s blows feel against such a frail creature. The verse invites us to remember:

• God is fully capable of crushing, yet His character includes compassion toward the weak (Isaiah 42:3).

• Human life is transient; recognizing that keeps us humble (James 4:14).

• Even in confusion, faith clings to God—Job keeps praying rather than turning away.

The verse therefore encourages believers to trust the Lord’s righteous purposes, knowing He never loses sight of our vulnerability while He works out His perfect will.

(25) Wilt thou break a leaf.--His confession of sin here approaches even to what the Psalmist describes as the condition of the ungodly (Psalm 1:4).Verse 25. - Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble? Job compares himself to two of the weakest things in nature - a withered leaf, and a morsel of dry stubble. He cannot believe that God will employ his almighty strength in crushing and destroying what is so slight and feeble. A deep sense of God's goodness and compassion underlies the thought.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Will You frighten
תַּעֲר֑וֹץ (ta·‘ă·rō·wṣ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6206: To cause to tremble, tremble

a windblown
נִדָּ֣ף (nid·dāp̄)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5086: To shove asunder, disperse

leaf?
הֶעָלֶ֣ה (he·‘ā·leh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5929: A leaf, foliage

Will You chase after
תִּרְדֹּֽף׃ (tir·dōp̄)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute

dry
יָבֵ֣שׁ (yā·ḇêš)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3002: Dry, dried

chaff?
קַ֖שׁ (qaš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7179: Stubble, chaff


Job 13:25 NIV
Job 13:25 NLT
Job 13:25 ESV
Job 13:25 NASB
Job 13:25 KJV

Job 13:25 BibleApps.com
Job 13:25 Biblia Paralela
Job 13:25 Chinese Bible
Job 13:25 French Bible
Job 13:25 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Job 13:25 Will you harass a driven leaf? Will (Jb)