Week 4—Job 12-34

Welcome back to Job! We find ourselves in the midst of the debates that Job is having with his friends; let’s jump right in.

Job answers Zophar, speaking of the power of God to do things both creative and destructive. Job declares that he wants to argue his case before God in a courtroom setting. There are a few brief spots of hope, namely Job 13:15-16 and 14:15.

Eliphaz speaks, beginning the second cycle of debates and calling Job and old windbag, depending on how you interpret Job 15:2. Eliphaz restates the (incorrect) message of the Creepy Spirit Thing. Then he speaks on his favorite topic, the Future Punishment of the Wicked (dun dun dunnn…)

Job returns Eliphaz’s windbag compliment. He then tells how God, and ruffians, have made him miserable. Remember that Job does not know about the drama in haven at the beginning of the story. God allowed, but did not cause, his pain. This is the main source of misunderstanding between Job and his friends—they think that God has caused the misery to come on Job for some secret sin. Job has hopeful words to offer in Job 17:9, but he sinks into a state of depression again soon after.

Bildad speaks again, talking about the future of the wicked. Job 18:21 reads, “…this is the place of him who does not know God.”  We need to make sure that these verses do not describe us who do know God.

Job’s next speech reminds me of the final stretch of a marathon. He is tired, struggling, and in pain. Yet he bursts across the finish line in Job 19:25 declaring, “I know my Redeemer lives!”  After this declaration his outlook is different, better, and more positive.

Zophar speaks next. More about the wicked. Gets old, yes? Please understand that there is a wealth of wisdom to be found in deeper examination of Job’s friends’ foolish words. But we don’t have time for that here.

Job then shares a different outlook on God’s future for the wicked.

Eliphaz speaks about the wicked (shocking, I know) and actually accuses Job of specific wrongs. He then offers a beautiful, if misapplied, treatise on forgiveness and reconciliation. Job 22:21-30 is truly beautiful. Read it again and enjoy it.

Job responds, speaking first of the greatness of God, then acknowledging that God will judge all men when and how He chooses. I like Job 24:40, “…the worm feeds sweetly till he is no longer remembered.”  Makes me laugh.

Bildad begins, first quoting the Creepy Spirit Thing…

Job has had enough, and cuts Bildad off mid-speech  He speaks for a very long time, as this is his  “closing argument” if you use a courtroom metaphor, first on the creative power of God. Job 26:14 reminds me that after all my studying, I really don’t know all that much about God. “These are the fringes of His ways…His mighty thunder, who can understand?”  Job has his own say on the relationship between God and the godless. Then Job offers a fascinating look at the value of wisdom. He remembers how good his life used to be, and complains how rotten it is now. Job then gives a list of “if…then” statements about his life. “If I did this sin, then let this bad thing happen to me.”  Then he is finished speaking. For now.

We meet a new friend, Elihu, who is young, truly wise beyond his years, and “hot nosed” (literally, from the Hebrew) or full of anger. He speaks with a fresh new outlook on the discipline of God, how it can be for training and not just for punishment. Elihu affirms again the just-ness and righteousness of God.

I feel I have not done justice to the richness found in the speeches of Job and his friends. There is wisdom to be found there on further study, as there will be with all the books of the Bible. Until then, we press on! I am looking forward to next week, when we hear the conclusion of Elihu’s speech, and God’s response. (Dragons, anyone?)