Thoughts on chapters 16-24 in the book of Job
Job replies to Eliphaz:
16:2 “miserable comforters are you all”
Job continues his reply to his would be comforters now turned tormentors. He obviously struggles to maintain hope while under the weight of his affliction.
Bildad again acts as a mouthpiece for the enemy of our souls;
18:5 Indeed, the light of the wicked is put out, and the flame of his fire does not shine.
18:21 Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous, such is the place of him who knows not God."
Job responds to Bildad;
Job 19:2 "How long will you torment me and break me in pieces with words? Job 19:21 Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, O you my friends, for the hand of God has touched me! Job 19:25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
Zophar, apparently not satisfied that his message has sunk in to Job’s head yet, sounds the same note:
Suffering comes for the wicked...
Job 20:24 He will flee from an iron weapon; a bronze arrow will strike him through. Job 20:25 It is drawn forth and comes out of his body; the glittering point comes out of his gallbladder; errors come upon him. Job 20:26 Utter darkness is laid up for his treasures; a fire not fanned will devour him; what is left in his tent will be consumed. Job 20:27 The heavens will reveal his iniquity, and the earth will rise up against him. Job 20:28 The possessions of his house will be carried away, dragged off in the day of God's wrath. Job 20:29 This is the wicked man's portion from God, the heritage decreed for him by God.
Job confronts Zophar with his error;
Don’t you have eyes to see that the wicked are prospering all around us?
Job 21:7 Why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power? Job 21:13 They spend their days in prosperity, and in peace they go down to Sheol. Job 21:14 They say to God, 'Depart from us! We do not desire the knowledge of your ways. Job 21:15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit do we get if we pray to him?'
Job 21:34 How then will you comfort me with empty nothings? There is nothing left of your answers but falsehood."
Eliphaz comes armed well for this conflict;
Job 22:4 Is it for your fear of him that he reproves you and enters into judgment with you? Job 22:5 Is not your evil abundant? There is no end to your iniquities.
Cutting words and accusation are flung from Eliphaz like darts at the already wounded and miserable Job.
Job 22:10 Therefore snares are all around you, and sudden terror overwhelms you, Job 22:11 or darkness, so that you cannot see, and a flood of water covers you.
Surely Job, you suffer because you have not yet repented. Turn from your wickedness and turn to God then all will be well.
Job 22:23 If you return to the Almighty you will be built up; if you remove injustice far from your tents,
Job deflects the assault of Eliphaz and maintains his innocence and God's sovereignty;
Turn back to God?
Job 23:10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. Job 23:11 My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. Job 23:12 I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food. Job 23:13 But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does. Job 23:14 For he will complete what he appoints for me, and many such things are in his mind.
Again, Eliphaz, can you not see that the wicked all around regularly get away with their vileness? It is all around us. If the wicked prosper in their wickedness, then your statement that God only punishes the wicked is clearly false - because they remain thus far unpunished.
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