Search The Scriptures —Study 11 — Job 22-24. Eliphaz' third speech and Job's reply

Study 11 From the Book of Job is: Job 22-24. Eliphaz' third speech and Job's reply

THE THIRD CYCLE OF SPEECHES (22-31)

Only Eliphaz speaks at length to Job in this third cycle. Zophat says nothing (see, however, the Note on 27:7-22). The friends' case against Job is already leaking badly. Eliphaz sinks it by shouting false charges at Job, which Job later (31) refutes. Job ends by repeating his innocence, and his perplexity.

1. Chapter 22. Of what does Eliphaz accuse Job (verse 6-9)? List God's blessings on the humble (verses 21-30). Why does Eliphaz' list of blessing (verse 3) make so little impression on Job?
2. Chapter 23. Job earnestly desires to find God (verse 3). How is he now thinking of God? See verses 5, 6, 10, 13, 16. Is it a Friend or a Foe?
3. Chapter 24. What anomalies does Job see in society around him? Compare what 'you' say (verses 18-20) with what Job says. Does this chapter teach us anything about how to make observation on life?

Note. 22:2-4. Eliphaz' argument is that God's treatment of man is not with a view to any gain or advantage to Himself but for man's sake. Since we cannot suppose that He punishes them for their piety (verse 4), it must be because of their sin.

LINKTO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 10 — Job 20 and 21. Zophar's second speech and Job's reply

Study 10 From the Book of Job is: Job 20 and 21. Zophar's second speech and Job's

reply

1. Place Zophar's views of the state of the wicked in this world alongside Job's. Cf. 20:6-28 with 21:6-26. At what points do they (a) agree, and (b) disagree?
2. In this second cycle Job's friends, gaining no victory, utter threats. Is defeated conservatism bound to take refuge in acid prediction of gloom? Had Job something to teach them if only they were willing to learn?

Notes

1. 20:5. Cf. Pss. 37 and 73 on the sudden end of bad men.
2. 20:7. 'Dead men are dead'. Job's hopes about another life receive short measure from Zophar.
3. 20:17. 'The rivers': i.e., of paradise.
4. 21:34. Job means that they have not troubled to check their thesis against life itself. So they are dealing in lies.

Concluding note to the section chapter 15:21. Job's friends have nothing new to say: but Job has. He is stumbling towards the truth that death itself will provide a way out of his impasse, when a shadowy but friendly Redeemer will acquit him.

LINKTO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 9 — Job 18 and 19. Bildad's second speech and Job's reply

Study 9 From the Book of Job is: Job 18 and 19. Bildad's second speech and Job's

reply

1. In 18 the sequence of events which happen to the wicked and the ungodly.
2. In 19 Job says he feels imprisoned and alone. List the metaphors under which he pictures his solitary confinement. How does he picture his release? To what grand assurance does his faith triumphantly rise?

Notes

1. 18:2. 'How long before you make a capture of mere words'? i.e, before you stop mouthing empty ideas. 'Consider' i.e., say something worth saying, and our answer will be weighty.
2. 18:4. The world's natural laws will not be altered to suit Job.
3. 19:25-27. Even if Job had no hope of vindication in this life he believed that God must vindicate him and that, after death, he would see God and find God on his side. Cf. Rom. 8:33-39.
4. 19:28b. 'The real cause of the trouble is himself' possibly expresses the sense intended.
5. 19:29. 'Trouble will come to them if they go on rejecting his cries for pity' is what Job here means.

LINK TO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 8 — Job 15-17. Eliphaz' second speech and Job's reply

Study 8 From the Book of Job is: Job 15-17. Eliphaz' second speech and Job's reply

1. Read chapter 15 and compare its tone and approach with Eliphaz' first speech in chapters 4 and 5. Note the emphasis on human depravity. How should Eliphaz have dealt with a younger man who would not agree with him? Why was he so sure he was right? To whose shortcomings was he blind?
2. 16 and 17. Even in the depths, Job finds some particles of hope. What form do these take?

Notes

1. 15:4. Eliphaz accuses Job of being an enemy of true religion and godliness because he denies the traditional orthodoxy.
2. 17:11b. A reference to the earlier speeches of Job's friends.
3. 15:18-19. Eliphaz claims that his doctrine is ancient and pure, untainted by foreign heresies.
4. 16:2. Ronald Knox renders this: 'Old tales and cold comfort; you are all alike.'
5. 16:19, 21. A further reference to the mediator.
6. 17:16b. Taken as a statement, not a question, this indicates a sudden further advance in Job's hopes.

LINKTO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 7 — Job 13 and 14. Job speaks again

Study 7 From the Book of Job is: Job 13 and 14. Job speaks again

For convenience the first cycle has been considered as ending at 14. It could equally finish at 12, with 13 and 14 beginning the fresh round of opposing speeches.

1. What is Job's chief accusation against his friends? What two demands does he now make to God?
2. In the long dirge on man's uncertainties in chapter 14 there is one small but significant gleam of hope. What is it? Compare and contrast the Christian's view of this hope with Job's. (Note, however, that in chapter 18 Job relapses into a deeper pessimism still.)

THE SECOND SPEECH CYCLE OF SPEECHES (15-21)

Unable to persuade Job that he is wrong, his friends now use blunter accusation and scarcely-veiled threats. They dwell on the fate of the wicked. Job, by this time very upset, sinks into repeated moanings about his troubles. Then, quite suddenly, at the deepest point of misery he revives a little (16:19; 19:25 and in 21 attacks this antique idea of his friends that 'It's always the bad who get the pain' and accuses them of preaching a dogma denied by life. Their observations are inaccurate.

LINKTO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 6 — Job 11 and 12. Zophar's first speech and Job's reply

Study 6 From the Book of Job is: Job 11 and 12. Zophar's first speech and Job's reply

1. Observe (a) the sharp rebuke in 11:6; (b) the steps to repentance in 11:13, 14; (c) the picture of blessing in 11:15-19. Why do you think Zophar failed to help Job?

2. Eliphaz spoke of visions, and research, Bildad of the wisdom of the ancients. To what authority does Zophar appeal to support his conviction that sin and suffering are inevitably linked?

3. Zophar and Job each speak of divine wisdom. Compare the various examples of it which they cite.

Note. 12:5-12. Perhaps Job is ironically quoting Zophar's view back at him. Job's point is that these platitudes are irrelevant to his situation. He does not deny them.

LINKTO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 5 — Job 9:25 – 10:22. Job's reply to Bibldad (continued)

Study 5 From the Book of Job is: Job 9:25 – 10:22. Job's reply to Bibldad (continued)

1. 9:33. The 'umpire' is mentioned for the first time in the book. Keep a list of the occurrences, noticing what new features each fresh mention brings. Suggest ways in which Jesus Christ has made Job's great wish a reality for us.
2. What is Job's main desire in chapter 10? Do you think God is angered by such plain speaking? Cf. Pss. 55:1-8, 22; 62:8.

Notes

1. 9:35. 'Deep in my heart I have no guilty fears.'
2. 10:12. An extraordinary verse to find in a long complaint. Either it means 'Even in deep misery I am aware of an overriding loving purpose'; or 'Even my past happiness was designed as a prelude to my present misery'.

LINKTO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 4 — Job 8:1 – 9:24. Bildad's first speech and Job's reply

Study 4 From the Book of Job is: Job 8:1 – 9:24. Bildad's first speech and Job's reply

1. To what authority does Bildad appeal for what he says? How trustworthy do you think that authority is? What are Bildad's views (a) about God, and (b) about wicked men?
2. What difficulties does Job find in this way as he tries to make God explain Himself?

Notes

1. 8:4. A cruel remark. Job's children died because they sinned, according to Bildad.
2. 8:11. Reeds wither without water. So wicked men fade away.
3. 9:2. The meaning is, 'How can a man establish his righteousness before God?
4. 9:13b. Rahab is probably another name for the dragon. . See RSV mg. Note to 9:8b.

LINK  TO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 3 - Job 6 and 7. Job's reply to Eliphaz

Study 3 From the Book of Ephesians is: Job 6 and 7. Job's reply to Eliphaz

Job is hurt by Eliphaz's attitude. He had hoped for help, not criticism(6:14). He flings questions at God.

1. 6:1-30. What does Job's condition make him long for (a) from God, and (b) from men? What may we learn from his double disappointment?
2. 7:1-10. By what metaphors does Job describe his present life? 7:11-21. What is the substance of his complaints against God?

Notes

1. 6:5, 6. Even animals cry out in misery: and human beings exclaim at distasteful food. Why shouldn't Job complaints?
2. 6:20. Thirsty caravans perish in the desert pursuing a mirage. Job is similarly cheated by his friends.
3. 6:30. 'Cannot my taste...' means 'Am I quite without good reason for my complaints?

LINK TO THE VERSES LISTED

Search The Scriptures —Study 2 — Job 4 and 5. Eliphaz's first speech

Study 2 From the Book of Job is: Job 4 and 5. Eliphaz's first speech

The First Cycle of Speeches 4 – 14)

The three friends, seeing Job's suffering, assume his guilt, and with mounting zeal urge him to repent. At first, Job is only grieve and hurt by this lack of understanding, but soon becomes irritated and angry. He wants God to explain Himself, and is acutely miserable.

1. 4: 1-11. According to Eliphaz, what was Job forgetting?
2. 4:12 – 5: 7. What did Eliphaz learn from his vision?
3. 5:8-27. What is his view of Job, or God, and of divine chastening?

Notes

1. 5:2. 'Vexation: an impatient querulous or presumptuous attitude.
2. 5:6-7. Troubles in life come as sparks come, from somebody's actions. There must be a human cause. Cf. 4:8.
3. 5:27. An appeal to scholarly research to buttress his orthodoxy.

LINK TO THE VERSES LISTED