Job 15-17 Eliphaz Speaks Again

Thoughts

Cycle 2 of Speeches

Job 15 Eliphaz

Eliphaz begins his second response with irritation. He calls Job’s words “windy knowledge” and “unprofitable talk.” He claims Job’s words show defiance against God and that his own mouth condemns him.

He sarcastically asks if Job was the first man ever born or if he listened in on God’s council. He suggests Job’s claims of wisdom are prideful and dismissive of others. Even the wise and elders agree that humans cannot be pure before God.

Eliphaz appeals to “what the wise have declared” which is a traditional view of divine justice. The wicked suffer torment, fear, and destruction. Their prosperity is temporary; they live in anxiety and darkness. They will perish by God’s judgment 

Job 16

Job calls his friends “miserable comforters.” He criticizes them for offering empty words and worsening his suffering. He says that if their roles were reversed, he could also speak arrogantly but instead he would try to comfort them.

Job now feels attacked on all sides, by God and by people. He says God has “torn me in His wrath” and made him a target.

His face is red with weeping, and his body is broken. Despite his pain, he insists his hands are free from violence and his prayer is pure.

Job calls on the earth not to cover his blood. He expresses hope for a “witness in heaven” or “advocate on high” who will plead for him before God. (longing for Jesus)

Ends with a somber reflection that his years are few and death is near.

Job 17

Job lays hat his “spirit is broken” and his “days are cut short.” He feels surrounded by mockers. His friends are not helpers but scoffers.

Job asks God to be his guarantor or pledge as no one else will stand up for him.

He warns that those who mock their friends will face judgment.

He is humiliated as people spit in his face and treat him as an outcast. His eyes grow dim, his body weakens.

Yet he holds on to one glimmer of hope: “The righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger.”

He turns back to his friends, accusing them of lacking wisdom or understanding. He feels all hope as died and that death will be his only rest. Sheol is his house and the worms are his companions. 

Questions

How do Job’s friends have such strong beliefs in their worldview (wicked will be punished and the righteous will prosper). Clearly that is not how the world works.

What does Job think will happen when he dies – and who is teaching this?

Is repetition the point of Job?

Application

Job’s longs for a “witness in heaven”  and an “advocate on high”.  Even though Job is in deep despair, he realizes that humans cannot reach God on their own. How can we when God is divine and holy? He imagines or longs for someone that can stand between us and God. But who can understand the pain of man and the perfection of God? Centuries later Jesus will come and be the Mediator that Job so longed for. He doesn’t just stand between God and man but He IS God and man!