Job
Job’s Answer to Eliphaz
In this chapter we find Job’s first reply to Eliphaz. In Job’s reply to Eliphaz he emphasizes three key points (vv. 1-7): You are giving me all of this advice but with no sympathy for my situation.Your criticisms are not based on fact but only on your own experience. …
Where is Wisdom Found
“Where is wisdom found?†is Job’s key question (vv. 12, 20). To answer his own question he states that it can not be found among the living (vv. 13-14). Job asked this question because he was weary of the cliches and platitudes that his three friends were giving …
Job Had a Certainty of Seeing God
As a result of all that had happened, Job was estranged from his family and friends. Even his wife and kin could no longer stand to be around him (v. 19). Physically he was just skin and bones and barely alive (v. 20). So he asked his friends to have pity on him and to stop all t …
Job Complains to God
In this chapter we find Job approaching God from four different ways:He challenged God (vv. 1-7) – Since he could not find someone to represent him, he decides to become his own defense attorney. He decides to vent his complaint, even if it kills him.He reminds God (vv. 8-12) – H …
Job Speaks to God About Death
In this passage, Job turns from the confidence that he could win his court case against God to a complaint about life’s futility and death’s certainty. He says that life is brief and full of trouble (v. 1). There is nothing any truer than that; trouble is the common denomin…
Eliphaz Tells Job to Listen to His Great Wisdom
Eliphaz brings up as a reminder of the fate of the wicked (vv. 17-20). He points out how suffering is in store each day for those who sin. Eliphaz portrays the idea that Job was a tyrant who struck fear into other people. It seems that this friend hoped to force Job to repent, as he …
Job Concludes His Self Defense
Have you coveted wealth or been proud of what you possess (vv. 24-28)? How do you respond to the suffering of an enemy (vv. 29-30) or the needs of a stranger (vv. 31-34)? Job states that he is ready for God to listen and answer him (vv. 35-37). He was so confident of his innocence …
Elihu Condemns Self-Righteousness
In his third speech, Elihu attempted to refute Job’s argument that righteousness avails nothing. Job had claimed to have done no wrong and that he was righteous before God, but that had made no difference (vv. 1-3). In other words, he would have been just as well off, had he …
Job Complains to God
When people suffer so much that their “spirit is broken†they often lose their “fight’ and want life to end (vv. 1-2). It seems this may have been the way Job felt as he sensed that death may be very near. His friends were against him and would not go to c …
Zophar’s Second Speech
Zophar is the last man to speak in this round. I suppose today we would say that Zophar has the scientific mind. He thinks you pour life into the test tube and it will always come out a certain way. Ignoring Job’s plea for pity, Zophar merely reacts against what he considers…