Job 27:18
The house he built is like a moth's cocoon, like a hut set up by a watchman.
He builds his house like a moth, like a hut made by a watchman
He builds his house
The phrase "He builds his house" suggests a deliberate and intentional act of construction. In the Hebrew context, the word for "builds" (בָּנָה, banah) often implies establishing or creating something with purpose. This reflects the human endeavor to create stability and security in life. However, the verse implies a futility in this effort, as the subsequent comparison to a moth indicates. In the broader biblical narrative, building a house can symbolize establishing one's life or legacy, yet without a foundation in God, such efforts are ultimately fragile.

like a moth
The comparison "like a moth" is striking in its imagery. Moths are delicate creatures, often associated with fragility and transience. In the Hebrew text, the word for moth (עָשׁ, ash) conveys the idea of something easily destroyed or fleeting. This metaphor suggests that the house, or life, built by the wicked is inherently unstable and temporary. The moth's life is short-lived, and its presence is often unnoticed until it is gone, much like the fleeting success of those who do not anchor their lives in righteousness.

like a hut made by a watchman
The phrase "like a hut made by a watchman" further emphasizes the temporary and precarious nature of the wicked's endeavors. In ancient times, a watchman's hut was a simple, temporary shelter, often constructed hastily and without permanence. The Hebrew word for hut (סֻכָּה, sukkah) can also refer to a booth or shelter used during the harvest, underscoring its impermanence. This imagery serves as a powerful reminder that without a foundation in God, human efforts are as transient as a watchman's hut, easily dismantled and lacking lasting security.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
The central figure in the Book of Job, a man known for his righteousness and suffering. In this chapter, Job is speaking about the fate of the wicked.

2. Moth
An insect used metaphorically to describe the fragility and temporary nature of the wicked's achievements.

3. Watchman
A person who guards or keeps watch, often from a temporary shelter, symbolizing the transient and insecure nature of the wicked's dwelling.
Teaching Points
The Fragility of Earthly Security
Just as a moth's cocoon is fragile and temporary, so are the achievements and dwellings of those who do not build their lives on God's foundation. We should evaluate where we place our trust and security.

The Illusion of Permanence
The wicked may believe their wealth and power are permanent, but Job reminds us that these are as temporary as a watchman's hut. We should focus on eternal values rather than temporary gains.

The Importance of a Firm Foundation
Building our lives on God's word and principles provides a lasting foundation, unlike the unstable structures of the wicked. Reflect on what foundations you are building your life upon.

The Consequences of Wickedness
Job's description serves as a warning about the ultimate fate of those who live wickedly. Consider the long-term consequences of your actions and choices.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Job 27:18 challenge your current understanding of security and permanence in your life?

2. In what ways can you ensure that your life's foundation is built on eternal values rather than temporary achievements?

3. How do the metaphors of a moth's cocoon and a watchman's hut help you understand the nature of worldly success?

4. Reflect on a time when you placed your trust in something temporary. What did you learn from that experience?

5. How can the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 6:19-20 guide you in making decisions about your priorities and investments in life?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 6:19-20
Jesus teaches about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth, highlighting the temporary nature of earthly wealth and security.

Psalm 39:5-6
The psalmist reflects on the fleeting nature of human life and accomplishments, similar to Job's metaphor of a moth's cocoon.

Isaiah 40:6-8
The prophet Isaiah speaks of the transience of human life and glory, contrasting it with the enduring word of God.
Job a Victor in the ControversyE. Johnson Job 27:1-23
God's Treatment of Wicked MenHomilistJob 27:11-23
Zophar's Missing SpeechAlbert Barnes.Job 27:11-23
The Portion of a Wicked ManW.F. Adeney Job 27:13-23
The Reward of IniquityR. Green Job 27:13-23
People
Job
Places
Uz
Topics
Booth, Buildeth, Builds, Built, Cocoon, Hut, Keeper, Makes, Maketh, Moth, Moth's, Spider's, Strength, Tent, Thread, Watchman, Watchman's, Web
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 27:18

     4660   insects

Job 27:16-19

     8761   fools, in teaching of Christ

Library
The Touchstone of Godly Sincerity
Who, then, is this "wicked man," thus portrayed before us? And what are the first symptoms of his depravity? We ask not the question idly, but in order that we take heed against the uprise of such an evil in ourselves. "Beneath the saintly veil the votary of sin May lurk unseen; and to that eye alone Which penetrates the heart, may stand revealed." The hypocrite is very often an exceedingly neat imitation of the Christian. To the common observer he is so good a counterfeit that he entirely escapes
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Whether Hypocrisy is Contrary to the virtue of Truth?
Objection 1: It seems that hypocrisy is not contrary to the virtue of truth. For in dissimulation or hypocrisy there is a sign and a thing signified. Now with regard to neither of these does it seem to be opposed to any special virtue: for a hypocrite simulates any virtue, and by means of any virtuous deeds, such as fasting, prayer and alms deeds, as stated in Mat. 6:1-18. Therefore hypocrisy is not specially opposed to the virtue of truth. Objection 2: Further, all dissimulation seems to proceed
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

On the Interior Man
The interior man is the rational soul; in the apostle: have in your hearts, in the interior man, Christ through faith. [Eph. 3:16] His head is Christ; in the apostle: the head of the man is Christ. [I Cor. 11:3] The crown of the head is the height of righteousness; in Solomon: for the crown of your head has received the crown of grace. The same in a bad part: the crown of hairs having walked about in their own delights, that is, in the height of iniquity. [Prov. 4:9; Ps. 67(68):22(21)] The hair is
St. Eucherius of Lyons—The Formulae of St. Eucherius of Lyons

Wesley in St. Albans Abbey
Monday, July 30.--l preached at Bingham, ten miles from Nottingham. I really admired the exquisite stupidity of the people. They gaped and stared while I was speaking of death and judgment, as if they had never heard of such things before. And they were not helped by two surly, ill-mannered clergymen, who seemed to be just as wise as themselves. The congregation at Houghton in the evening was more noble, behaving with the utmost decency. Tuesday, 31.--At nine I preached in the market place at Loughborough,
John Wesley—The Journal of John Wesley

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
CLEARLY EXPLAINED, AND LARGELY IMPROVED, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BELIEVERS. 1 John 2:1--"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." By JOHN BUNYAN, Author of "The Pilgrim's Progress." London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms, in the Poultry, 1689. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of the most interesting of Bunyan's treatises, to edit which required the Bible at my right hand, and a law dictionary on my left. It was very frequently republished;
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Sinner Arraigned and Convicted.
1. Conviction of guilt necessary.--2. A charge of rebellion against God advanced.--3. Where it is shown--that all men are born under God's law.--4. That no man hath perfectly kept it.--5. An appeal to the reader's conscience on this head, that he hath not.--6. That to have broken it, is an evil inexpressibly great.--7. Illustrated by a more particular view of the aggravations of this guilt, arising--from knowledge.--8. From divine favors received.--9. From convictions of conscience overborne.--10.
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

God's Sovereignty and Prayer
"If we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us" (1 John 5:14). Throughout this book it has been our chief aim to exalt the Creator and abase the creature. The well-nigh universal tendency now, is to magnify man and dishonour and degrade God. On every hand it will be found that, when spiritual things are under discussion, the human side and element is pressed and stressed, and the Divine side, if not altogether ignored, is relegated to the background. This holds true of very much of the
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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