(The previous post covered Job's summary of his circumstances: An unjust punishment came upon him and even though Job had helped others, no one was able to help him, which was a separate and second injustice that had been done to Job.)
Job 31
(This was the end of Job's concluding statement.)
1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; How then should I look upon a virgin?
2 For what is the portion from God above, And the heritage from the Almighty on high?
3 Is it not calamity to the unrighteous, And disaster to the workers of iniquity?
4 Doth not he see my ways, And number all my steps?
5 If I have walked with falsehood, And my foot hath hasted to deceit;
6 (Let me be weighed in an even balance, That God may know mine integrity);
(Job intentionally chose to be righteous because he knew God saw and Job knew that the wicked were destroyed.)
7 If my step hath turned out of the way, And my heart walked after mine eyes, And if any spot hath cleaved to my hands:
8 Then let me sow, and let another eat; Yea, let the produce of my field be rooted out.
9 If my heart hath been enticed unto a woman, And I have laid wait at my neighbor's door;
10 Then let my wife grind unto another, And let others bow down upon her.
11 For that were a heinous crime; Yea, it were an iniquity to be punished by the judges:
12 For it is a fire that consumeth unto Destruction, And would root out all mine increase.
13 If I have despised the cause of my man-servant or of my maid-servant, When they contended with me;
14 What then shall I do when God riseth up? And when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?
(Job recognized that how he treated his servants was a statement of his will to God of how he wanted to be treated by God.)
15 Did not he that made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb?
16 If I have withheld the poor from their desire, Or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
17 Or have eaten my morsel alone, And the fatherless hath not eaten thereof;
18 (Nay, from my youth he grew up with me as with a father, And her have I guided from my mother's womb);
19 If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, Or that the needy had no covering;
20 If his loins have not blessed me, And if he hath not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
21 If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, Because I saw my help in the gate:
22 Then let my shoulder fall from the shoulder-blade, And mine arm be broken from the bone.
(Job was willing to accept judgment if he had not helped the poor and defenseless.)
23 For calamity from God is a terror to me, And by reason of his majesty I can do nothing.
24 If I have made gold my hope, And have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence;
25 If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my hand had gotten much;
26 If I have beheld the sun when it shined, Or the moon walking in brightness,
27 And my heart hath been secretly enticed, And my mouth hath kissed my hand:
28 This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judges; For I should have denied the God that is above.
(Job was willing to accept judgment if he had been making the physical preeminent to God.)
29 If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, Or lifted up myself when evil found him;
30 (Yea, I have not suffered by mouth to sin By asking his life with a curse);
31 If the men of my tent have not said, Who can find one that hath not been filled with his meat?
32 (The sojourner hath not lodged in the street; But I have opened my doors to the traveller);
33 If like Adam I have covered my transgressions, By hiding mine iniquity in my bosom,
(Job was even willing to consider he was justifying himself, as Adam did.)
34 Because I feared the great multitude, And the contempt of families terrified me, So that I kept silence, and went not out of the door-
35 Oh that I had one to hear me! (Lo, here is my signature, let the Almighty answer me); And that I had the indictment which mine adversary hath written!
(Job's summary was that he had always been aware that God would judge unrighteousness, so he did whatever it took to be righteous...to the extent that Job would welcome judgment if he had failed to be righteous. Having said all of that, Job could now only state he desired that God would answer him.)
36 Surely I would carry it upon my shoulder; I would bind it unto me as a crown:
37 I would declare unto him the number of my steps; As a prince would I go near unto him.
38 If my land crieth out against me, And the furrows thereof weep together;
39 If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, Or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life:
40 Let thistles grow instead of wheat, And cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.
(Job then stated he would let everyone see what he had done wrong. He would be willing to accept judgment if he had been unjust. Job stated his words were ended. There was no way for Job to curse God. The Major Conflict had been resolved! God was Right. Could God now alleviate Job's suffering? Could God now explain to Job why this happened? Job was also stating his will he was not going to initiate trying to figure out why all this happened. He would wait for God to show him. Would God respond to this?)
Job 32
1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
(The three friends also had decided to not speak any more as well. The classic story telling structure that was mastered by the Book of Esther had been completed, however, the Book of Job was different: there was more to the story.
Without Job or the three friends speaking, only the following three events could have happened next:
1) God could have spoken,
2) Another person could have spoken,
3) Nothing...the three friends wait for Job to die as nothing changes.
What ended up happening was #2: another person spoke. His name was Elihu and he was possibly the most misunderstood person in the Bible. Some people think he was the devil. Some people think he was comic relief. I happen to believe he was the rare example of a person with a perfect thought process, however, you decide. What followed was actually "an autopsy"! Elihu would explain what had happened, and why!)
2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
(First of all, Elihu was the son of Barachel the Buzite. Was
there any previous mention of either of these people in the Old Testament?
Would the mention(s) be linked to the time after Abraham? We saw the following
in Genesis 22:19-21 -
"19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beer-sheba. And Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba.
20 And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she also hath borne children unto thy brother Nahor.
21 Uz his first-born, and Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father of Aram."
Elihu was a descendent of Abraham's brother!)
(Elihu was upset because Job was justifying himself rather than God. The previous chapter showed how Job even considered he was justifying himself. However, did he ever try to justify God?)
3 Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
(Elihu was upset with the three "friends" because they blamed Job for effects without knowing the cause. They abused Causality.)
4 Now Elihu had waited to speak unto Job, because they were elder than he.
5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.
(Elihu was present the entire time. He was being respectful by allowing the three "friends" and Job to speak before he did because they were older. So far, we see Elihu was able to perform this "autopsy" because he witnessed all the events. Second, we see Elihu correctly recognized Job did not try to justify God and the three "comforters" judged Job without causes. Elihu had already used contrastive thinking and causality and he had not begun to speak yet.)
6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; Wherefore I held back, and durst not show you mine opinion.
7 I said, Days should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.
8 But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
9 It is not the great that are wise, Nor the aged that understand justice.
(Elihu was contrastive because he stated that he would be giving them his opinion. Also, Elihu was humble because he gave God the credit for his words. Was Elihu speaking for God?)
10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show mine opinion.
11 Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your reasonings, Whilst ye searched out what to say.
12 Yea, I attended unto you, And, behold, there was none that convinced Job, Or that answered his words, among you.
13 Beware lest ye say, We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not man:
(Elihu was explaining why it was right and just for him to speak now.)
14 For he hath not directed his words against me; Neither will I answer him with your speeches.
15 They are amazed, they answer no more: They have not a word to say.
16 And shall I wait, because they speak not, Because they stand still, and answer no more?
17 I also will answer my part, I also will show mine opinion.
18 For I am full of words; The spirit within me constraineth me.
19 Behold, my breast is as wine which hath no vent; Like new wine-skins it is ready to burst.
(Matthew 9:17 - "Neither do men put new wine into old wine-skins: else the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins perish: but they put new wine into fresh wine-skins, and both are preserved."
Jesus spoke these words. This was Jesus' response to the Pharisees who questioned Jesus why His Disciples did not fast. Was Jesus quoting Elihu?)
20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed; I will open my lips and answer.
21 Let me not, I pray you, respect any man's person; Neither will I give flattering titles unto any man.
22 For I know not to give flattering titles; Else would my Maker soon take me away.
(Elihu did not care about titles because he knew that God did not care about titles. Elihu referenced Justice, he knew God would punish him if his words were not right and just.)
(This chapter presented the first part of Elihu's response. Elihu was angry because:
1) Job had justified himself instead of justifying God, and
2) Job's three friends condemned Job without objectively stating Job's sin.)
Job 33
1 Howbeit, Job, I pray thee, hear my speech, And hearken to all my words.
2 Behold now, I have opened my mouth; My tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
3 My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart; And that which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.
4 The Spirit of God hath made me, And the breath of the Almighty giveth me life.
5 If thou canst, answer thou me; Set thy words in order before me, stand forth.
6 Behold, I am toward God even as thou art: I also am formed out of the clay.
7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, Neither shall my pressure be heavy upon thee.
(Elihu wanted to give Job the why behind what had happened. This was in response to what Job said in Job 13:20-23. Job wanted to know how he caused this. Job also said he was afraid to debate with God. Elihu was going to explain the cause...and he was doing it, instead of God, so that Job would not be afraid.)
8 Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing, And I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
9 I am clean, without transgression; I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me:
10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, He counteth me for his enemy:
11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, He marketh all my paths.
(Elihu listened to all of Job's words. Elihu was focused on understanding.)
12 Behold, I will answer thee, in this thou art not just; For God is greater than man.
(Elihu was saying that at least one thing Job said (vs. 9-11) was unjust. This was why Job did not know why this was happening. Did Job say something that was unjust? What was it?)
13 Why dost thou strive against him, For that he giveth not account of any of his matters?
(Elihu asked Job why Job thought that God did not give an account...and if Job thought God did not give an account why would Job wait for God to give an account? Elihu used the principle of non-contradiction to show Job had a flawed thought process.)
14 For God speaketh once, Yea twice, though man regardeth it not.
(God does give an account.)
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falleth upon men, In slumberings upon the bed;
16 Then he openeth the ears of men, And sealeth their instruction,
17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, And hide pride from man;
18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, And his life from perishing by the sword.
19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, And with continual strife in his bones;
20 So that his life abhorreth bread, And his soul dainty food.
21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; And his bones that were not seen stick out.
22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the pit, And his life to the destroyers.
(God used dreams, visions, and pain to speak to people. God did this to humble, and protect people. The various methods that God used were for the long term best interest of people.)
23 If there be with him an angel, An interpreter, one among a thousand, To show unto man what is right for him;
24 Then God is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.
25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's; He returneth to the days of his youth.
26 He prayeth unto God, and he is favorable unto him, So that he seeth his face with joy: And he restoreth unto man his righteousness.
(God spoke through other people...like Elihu?)
27 He singeth before men, and saith, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, And it profited me not:
28 He hath redeemed my soul from going into the pit, And my life shall behold the light.
29 Lo, all these things doth God work, Twice, yea thrice, with a man,
30 To bring back his soul from the pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of the living.
(God was persistent in speaking to people with these various methods. Elihu was also stating that God would use the righteous to bring revelation into the world, even if it meant the righteous suffer.)
31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: Hold thy peace, and I will speak.
32 If thou hast anything to say, answer me: Speak, for I desire to justify thee.
33 If not, hearken thou unto me: Hold thy peace, and I will teach thee wisdom.
(Elihu wanted Job to understand and he was making sure that Job did understand. In fact, in this overview statement, Elihu used Job's own words to meet Job where Job was at. Elihu was facilitating Job's purpose and progress. Elihu was a leader. What do you think of this overview from Elihu?)
(This post covered the conclusion of Job's final statement and Elihu's overview statement.)
Day 152
Day 150: Job 28-30
(The previous post covered the conclusion of the Third Round and the beginning of Job's "victory speech.")
Job 28
(Job continued his concluding statement and focused on wisdom and understanding.)
1 Surely there is a mine for silver, And a place for gold which they refine.
2 Iron is taken out of the earth, And copper is molten out of the stone.
3 Man setteth an end to darkness, And searcheth out, to the furthest bound, The stones of obscurity and of thick darkness.
(There was a cause for physical things.)
4 He breaketh open a shaft away from where men sojourn; They are forgotten of the foot; They hang afar from men, they swing to and fro.
5 As for the earth, out of it cometh bread; And underneath it is turned up as it were by fire.
6 The stones thereof are the place of sapphires, And it hath dust of gold.
7 That path no bird of prey knoweth, Neither hath the falcon's eye seen it:
8 The proud beasts have not trodden it, Nor hath the fierce lion passed thereby.
9 He putteth forth his hand upon the flinty rock; He overturneth the mountains by the roots.
10 He cutteth out channels among the rocks; And his eye seeth every precious thing.
11 He bindeth the streams that they trickle not; And the thing that is hid bringeth he forth to light.
12 But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
13 Man knoweth not the price thereof; Neither is it found in the land of the living.
(Verses 12-13, Job asked what was the cause of wisdom and understanding.)
14 The deep saith, It is not in me; And the sea saith, It is not with me.
15 It cannot be gotten for gold, Neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.
16 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, With the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, Neither shall it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.
18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal: Yea, the price of wisdom is above rubies.
19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, Neither shall it be valued with pure gold.
20 Whence then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding?
(Again, Job asked what was the cause of wisdom and understanding. He concluded that wisdom and understanding were not physical or found in physical places or able to be bought with anything physical.)
21 Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, And kept close from the birds of the heavens.
22 Destruction and Death say, We have heard a rumor thereof with our ears.
23 God understandeth the way thereof, And he knoweth the place thereof.
24 For he looketh to the ends of the earth, And seeth under the whole heaven;
(Job said only God knew where wisdom and understanding came from.)
25 To make a weight for the wind: Yea, he meteth out the waters by measure.
26 When he made a decree for the rain, And a way for the lightning of the thunder;
27 Then did he see it, and declare it; He established it, yea, and searched it out.
28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.
(Job stated two effects: that fear (reverence) of God proved "wisdom" and choosing to remove one's self from evil proved "understanding.")
Job 29
(Once Job taught his conclusion about God, he was able to focus on his own life. Job remembered the prosperity of his life before this happened.)
1 And Job again took up his parable, and said,
2 Oh that I were as in the months of old, As in the days when God watched over me;
3 When his lamp shined upon my head, And by his light I walked through darkness;
(Job remembered how God was with him as he walked through darkness. Job did not feel like God was with him in his suffering.)
4 As I was in the ripeness of my days, When the friendship of God was upon my tent;
5 When the Almighty was yet with me, And my children were about me;
6 When my steps were washed with butter, And the rock poured me out streams of oil!
7 When I went forth to the gate unto the city, When I prepared my seat in the street,
8 The young men saw me and hid themselves, And the aged rose up and stood;
(Job was respected before this happened. Now he felt disrespected, which was a direct result of how his "comforters" treated him.)
9 The princes refrained from talking, And laid their hand on their mouth;
10 The voice of the nobles was hushed, And their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.
11 For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me; And when the eye saw me, it gave witness unto me:
(Job remembered how he was heard. Job did not feel like he was being heard by his "comforters." Job showed that his circumstances actually seemed to directly affect others, and these others then affected Job.)
12 Because I delivered the poor that cried, The fatherless also, that had none to help him.
13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me; And I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.
14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: My justice was as a robe and a diadem.
15 I was eyes to the blind, And feet was I to the lame.
16 I was a father to the needy: And the cause of him that I knew not I searched out.
17 And I brake the jaws of the unrighteous, And plucked the prey out of his teeth.
(Verses 12-17 showed that Job did righteous acts all along. Job tried to show that he had not changed even though his circumstances did.)
18 Then I said, I shall die in my nest, And I shall multiply my days as the sand:
19 My root is spread out to the waters, And the dew lieth all night upon my branch;
20 My glory is fresh in me, And my bow is renewed in my hand.
21 Unto me men gave ear, and waited, And kept silence for my counsel.
22 After my words they spake not again; And my speech distilled upon them.
(Job remembered how his words were valued and that he brought a solution, to the point that when he was done speaking, no one needed to speak anymore. Again, Job showed others were affected more than him by his circumstances.)
23 And they waited for me as for the rain; And they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.
24 I smiled on them, when they had no confidence; And the light of my countenance they cast not down.
25 I chose out their way, and sat as chief, And dwelt as a king in the army, As one that comforteth the mourners.
(Job knew how to comfort people. It did not look like others knew how to comfort Job.)
Job 30
(Once Job covered his former condition, he could next speak of his current condition.)
1 But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, Whose fathers I disdained to set with the dogs of my flock.
2 Yea, the strength of their hands, whereto should it profit me? Men in whom ripe age is perished.
(The people Job had helped were unable to help him. Again, Job's circumstances seemed to have a greater affect on others.)
3 They are gaunt with want and famine; They gnaw the dry ground, in the gloom of wasteness and desolation.
4 They pluck salt-wort by the bushes; And the roots of the broom are their food.
5 They are driven forth from the midst of men; They cry after them as after a thief;
6 So that they dwell in frightful valleys, In holes of the earth and of the rocks.
7 Among the bushes they bray; Under the nettles they are gathered together.
8 They are children of fools, yea, children of base men; They were scourged out of the land.
9 And now I am become their song, Yea, I am a byword unto them.
10 They abhor me, they stand aloof from me, And spare not to spit in my face.
(Job was stating how he had been treated. Job was reconciling all these events. This was healthy for his brain and body. Again, Job's circumstances seemed to change others more than himself...)
11 For he hath loosed his cord, and afflicted me; And they have cast off the bridle before me.
12 Upon my right hand rise the rabble; They thrust aside my feet, And they cast up against me their ways of destruction.
13 They mar my path, They set forward my calamity, Even men that have no helper.
14 As through a wide breach they come: In the midst of the ruin they roll themselves upon me.
15 Terrors are turned upon me; They chase mine honor as the wind; And my welfare is passed away as a cloud.
16 And now my soul is poured out within me; Days of affliction have taken hold upon me.
17 In the night season my bones are pierced in me, And the pains that gnaw me take no rest.
18 By God's great force is my garment disfigured; It bindeth me about as the collar of my coat.
19 He hath cast me into the mire, And I am become like dust and ashes.
20 I cry unto thee, and thou dost not answer me: I stand up, and thou gazest at me.
21 Thou art turned to be cruel to me; With the might of thy hand thou persecutest me.
22 Thou liftest me up to the wind, thou causest me to ride upon it; And thou dissolvest me in the storm.
23 For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, And to the house appointed for all living.
(Job believed he would die and that he would go "to the house appointed for all living.")
24 Howbeit doth not one stretch out the hand in his fall? Or in his calamity therefore cry for help?
25 Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? Was not my soul grieved for the needy?
26 When I looked for good, then evil came; And when I waited for light, there came darkness.
27 My heart is troubled, and resteth not; Days of affliction are come upon me.
28 I go mourning without the sun: I stand up in the assembly, and cry for help.
29 I am a brother to jackals, And a companion to ostriches.
30 My skin is black, and falleth from me, And my bones are burned with heat.
31 Therefore is my harp turned to mourning, And my pipe into the voice of them that weep.
(This post covered Job's summary of his circumstances: An unjust punishment came upon him and even though Job had helped others, no one was able to help him...which was a separate and second injustice that had been done to Job.)
Day 151
Job 28
(Job continued his concluding statement and focused on wisdom and understanding.)
1 Surely there is a mine for silver, And a place for gold which they refine.
2 Iron is taken out of the earth, And copper is molten out of the stone.
3 Man setteth an end to darkness, And searcheth out, to the furthest bound, The stones of obscurity and of thick darkness.
(There was a cause for physical things.)
4 He breaketh open a shaft away from where men sojourn; They are forgotten of the foot; They hang afar from men, they swing to and fro.
5 As for the earth, out of it cometh bread; And underneath it is turned up as it were by fire.
6 The stones thereof are the place of sapphires, And it hath dust of gold.
7 That path no bird of prey knoweth, Neither hath the falcon's eye seen it:
8 The proud beasts have not trodden it, Nor hath the fierce lion passed thereby.
9 He putteth forth his hand upon the flinty rock; He overturneth the mountains by the roots.
10 He cutteth out channels among the rocks; And his eye seeth every precious thing.
11 He bindeth the streams that they trickle not; And the thing that is hid bringeth he forth to light.
12 But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
13 Man knoweth not the price thereof; Neither is it found in the land of the living.
(Verses 12-13, Job asked what was the cause of wisdom and understanding.)
14 The deep saith, It is not in me; And the sea saith, It is not with me.
15 It cannot be gotten for gold, Neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.
16 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, With the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
17 Gold and glass cannot equal it, Neither shall it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.
18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal: Yea, the price of wisdom is above rubies.
19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, Neither shall it be valued with pure gold.
20 Whence then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding?
(Again, Job asked what was the cause of wisdom and understanding. He concluded that wisdom and understanding were not physical or found in physical places or able to be bought with anything physical.)
21 Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, And kept close from the birds of the heavens.
22 Destruction and Death say, We have heard a rumor thereof with our ears.
23 God understandeth the way thereof, And he knoweth the place thereof.
24 For he looketh to the ends of the earth, And seeth under the whole heaven;
(Job said only God knew where wisdom and understanding came from.)
25 To make a weight for the wind: Yea, he meteth out the waters by measure.
26 When he made a decree for the rain, And a way for the lightning of the thunder;
27 Then did he see it, and declare it; He established it, yea, and searched it out.
28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.
(Job stated two effects: that fear (reverence) of God proved "wisdom" and choosing to remove one's self from evil proved "understanding.")
Job 29
(Once Job taught his conclusion about God, he was able to focus on his own life. Job remembered the prosperity of his life before this happened.)
1 And Job again took up his parable, and said,
2 Oh that I were as in the months of old, As in the days when God watched over me;
3 When his lamp shined upon my head, And by his light I walked through darkness;
(Job remembered how God was with him as he walked through darkness. Job did not feel like God was with him in his suffering.)
4 As I was in the ripeness of my days, When the friendship of God was upon my tent;
5 When the Almighty was yet with me, And my children were about me;
6 When my steps were washed with butter, And the rock poured me out streams of oil!
7 When I went forth to the gate unto the city, When I prepared my seat in the street,
8 The young men saw me and hid themselves, And the aged rose up and stood;
(Job was respected before this happened. Now he felt disrespected, which was a direct result of how his "comforters" treated him.)
9 The princes refrained from talking, And laid their hand on their mouth;
10 The voice of the nobles was hushed, And their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.
11 For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me; And when the eye saw me, it gave witness unto me:
(Job remembered how he was heard. Job did not feel like he was being heard by his "comforters." Job showed that his circumstances actually seemed to directly affect others, and these others then affected Job.)
12 Because I delivered the poor that cried, The fatherless also, that had none to help him.
13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me; And I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.
14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: My justice was as a robe and a diadem.
15 I was eyes to the blind, And feet was I to the lame.
16 I was a father to the needy: And the cause of him that I knew not I searched out.
17 And I brake the jaws of the unrighteous, And plucked the prey out of his teeth.
(Verses 12-17 showed that Job did righteous acts all along. Job tried to show that he had not changed even though his circumstances did.)
18 Then I said, I shall die in my nest, And I shall multiply my days as the sand:
19 My root is spread out to the waters, And the dew lieth all night upon my branch;
20 My glory is fresh in me, And my bow is renewed in my hand.
21 Unto me men gave ear, and waited, And kept silence for my counsel.
22 After my words they spake not again; And my speech distilled upon them.
(Job remembered how his words were valued and that he brought a solution, to the point that when he was done speaking, no one needed to speak anymore. Again, Job showed others were affected more than him by his circumstances.)
23 And they waited for me as for the rain; And they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.
24 I smiled on them, when they had no confidence; And the light of my countenance they cast not down.
25 I chose out their way, and sat as chief, And dwelt as a king in the army, As one that comforteth the mourners.
(Job knew how to comfort people. It did not look like others knew how to comfort Job.)
Job 30
(Once Job covered his former condition, he could next speak of his current condition.)
1 But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, Whose fathers I disdained to set with the dogs of my flock.
2 Yea, the strength of their hands, whereto should it profit me? Men in whom ripe age is perished.
(The people Job had helped were unable to help him. Again, Job's circumstances seemed to have a greater affect on others.)
3 They are gaunt with want and famine; They gnaw the dry ground, in the gloom of wasteness and desolation.
4 They pluck salt-wort by the bushes; And the roots of the broom are their food.
5 They are driven forth from the midst of men; They cry after them as after a thief;
6 So that they dwell in frightful valleys, In holes of the earth and of the rocks.
7 Among the bushes they bray; Under the nettles they are gathered together.
8 They are children of fools, yea, children of base men; They were scourged out of the land.
9 And now I am become their song, Yea, I am a byword unto them.
10 They abhor me, they stand aloof from me, And spare not to spit in my face.
(Job was stating how he had been treated. Job was reconciling all these events. This was healthy for his brain and body. Again, Job's circumstances seemed to change others more than himself...)
11 For he hath loosed his cord, and afflicted me; And they have cast off the bridle before me.
12 Upon my right hand rise the rabble; They thrust aside my feet, And they cast up against me their ways of destruction.
13 They mar my path, They set forward my calamity, Even men that have no helper.
14 As through a wide breach they come: In the midst of the ruin they roll themselves upon me.
15 Terrors are turned upon me; They chase mine honor as the wind; And my welfare is passed away as a cloud.
16 And now my soul is poured out within me; Days of affliction have taken hold upon me.
17 In the night season my bones are pierced in me, And the pains that gnaw me take no rest.
18 By God's great force is my garment disfigured; It bindeth me about as the collar of my coat.
19 He hath cast me into the mire, And I am become like dust and ashes.
20 I cry unto thee, and thou dost not answer me: I stand up, and thou gazest at me.
21 Thou art turned to be cruel to me; With the might of thy hand thou persecutest me.
22 Thou liftest me up to the wind, thou causest me to ride upon it; And thou dissolvest me in the storm.
23 For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, And to the house appointed for all living.
(Job believed he would die and that he would go "to the house appointed for all living.")
24 Howbeit doth not one stretch out the hand in his fall? Or in his calamity therefore cry for help?
25 Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? Was not my soul grieved for the needy?
26 When I looked for good, then evil came; And when I waited for light, there came darkness.
27 My heart is troubled, and resteth not; Days of affliction are come upon me.
28 I go mourning without the sun: I stand up in the assembly, and cry for help.
29 I am a brother to jackals, And a companion to ostriches.
30 My skin is black, and falleth from me, And my bones are burned with heat.
31 Therefore is my harp turned to mourning, And my pipe into the voice of them that weep.
(This post covered Job's summary of his circumstances: An unjust punishment came upon him and even though Job had helped others, no one was able to help him...which was a separate and second injustice that had been done to Job.)
Day 151
Day 149: Job 25-27
(The previous post covered Eliphaz's weak Deterministic Third Round perspective and Job's response.)
Job 25
1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
(Bildad was the second "comforter" to speak in the Third Round.)
2 Dominion and fear are with him; He maketh peace in his high places.
3 Is there any number of his armies? And upon whom doth not his light arise?
4 How then can man be just with God? Or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?
5 Behold, even the moon hath no brightness, And the stars are not pure in his sight:
6 How much less man, that is a worm! And the son of man, that is a worm!
(Bildad's argument was short and abstract, making his point that "everyone is bad." He was analogous to Traditionalists today (a belief in "total depravity"?). He appealed to the doctrine that they had followed from the past and could not begin to make a coherent point in his concluding speech. If man was a "worm," then why was Bildad speaking at all?)
(Zophar did not speak at all during the Third Round. He was analogous to Post-Moderns today. He did not believe we could understand God, God was unjust, and none of this mattered anyway.)
(All three of the "comforters" arguments towards Job diminished in quality the more they spoke. Each of the three round's arguments grew more abstract, more contradictory, and weaker. We were done hearing from Job's three friends.)
Job 26
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 How hast thou helped him that is without power! How hast thou saved the arm that hath no strength!
3 How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom, And plentifully declared sound knowledge!
4 To whom hast thou uttered words? And whose spirit came forth from thee?
(Job asked his "comforters" who they had helped. Job blatantly asked them "whose spirit" came out of them (God or enemy?). Job was beginning his "victory" speech.)
5 They that are deceased tremble Beneath the waters and the inhabitants thereof.
6 Sheol is naked before God, And Abaddon hath no covering.
(The word "Abaddon" was Strong's #11 and it meant "destruction.")
7 He stretcheth out the north over empty space, And hangeth the earth upon nothing.
8 He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; And the cloud is not rent under them.
9 He incloseth the face of his throne, And spreadeth his cloud upon it.
10 He hath described a boundary upon the face of the waters, Unto the confines of light and darkness.
11 The pillars of heaven tremble And are astonished at his rebuke.
12 He stirreth up the sea with his power, And by his understanding he smiteth through Rahab.
13 By his Spirit the heavens are garnished; His hand hath pierced the swift serpent.
(Job gave a list of attributes that showed how awesome God was! Remember, the word "Rahab" was Strong's #2793 and it meant "proud," however, it was also used in the Old Testament as a poetic reference to Egypt.)
14 Lo, these are but the outskirts of his ways: And how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?
(Job stated that this list was only a portion of how awesome God was! Job had declared victory. Next, it was time to conclude his interaction with his three friends.)
Job 27
1 And Job again took up his parable, and said,
(Job presented his conclusion with a "parable." This word parable was Strong's #4912 mashal which meant "sense of superiority in mental action." Job was completely in charge of this debate.)
2 As God liveth, who hath taken away my right, And the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul:
3 (For my life is yet whole in me, And the spirit of God is in my nostrils);
4 Surely my lips shall not speak unrighteousness, Neither shall my tongue utter deceit.
5 Far be it from me that I should justify you: Till I die I will not put away mine integrity from me.
6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: My heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
(Job stated his will that he would not renounce God.
**This was officially the moment that God was proven right before Satan.**
Satan believed that Job would renounce God if his HAVE and DO were taken away and Job had proven that he would not. Job stated he would not, even in the very midst of his extreme suffering.)
7 Let mine enemy be as the wicked, And let him that riseth up against me be as the unrighteous.
8 For what is the hope of the godless, though he get him gain, When God taketh away his soul?
9 Will God hear his cry, When trouble cometh upon him?
10 Will he delight himself in the Almighty, And call upon God at all times?
(Job concluded: The godless may gain in the short term but will lose in the long term. The godless did not inquire of God.)
11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; That which is with the Almighty will I not conceal.
12 Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it; Why then are ye become altogether vain?
13 This is the portion of a wicked man with God, And the heritage of oppressors, which they receive from the Almighty:
(Job's objective became teaching the three "comforters," and he stated his objective to them.)
14 If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword; And his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.
15 Those that remain of him shall be buried in death, And his widows shall make no lamentation.
16 Though he heap up silver as the dust, And prepare raiment as the clay;
17 He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, And the innocent shall divide the silver.
18 He buildeth his house as the moth, And as a booth which the keeper maketh.
19 He lieth down rich, but he shall not be gathered to his fathers; He openeth his eyes, and he is not.
20 Terrors overtake him like waters; A tempest stealeth him away in the night.
21 The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth; And it sweepeth him out of his place.
22 For God shall hurl at him, and not spare: He would fain flee out of his hand.
23 Men shall clap their hands at him, And shall hiss him out of his place.
(Verses 14-23 was a list of things that happen to the wicked, making the point that "the wicked will not get away with their wickedness." Job was not done with his conclusion.)
(This post covered the conclusion of the Third Round and the beginning of Job's "victory speech.")
Day 150
Job 25
1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
(Bildad was the second "comforter" to speak in the Third Round.)
2 Dominion and fear are with him; He maketh peace in his high places.
3 Is there any number of his armies? And upon whom doth not his light arise?
4 How then can man be just with God? Or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?
5 Behold, even the moon hath no brightness, And the stars are not pure in his sight:
6 How much less man, that is a worm! And the son of man, that is a worm!
(Bildad's argument was short and abstract, making his point that "everyone is bad." He was analogous to Traditionalists today (a belief in "total depravity"?). He appealed to the doctrine that they had followed from the past and could not begin to make a coherent point in his concluding speech. If man was a "worm," then why was Bildad speaking at all?)
(Zophar did not speak at all during the Third Round. He was analogous to Post-Moderns today. He did not believe we could understand God, God was unjust, and none of this mattered anyway.)
(All three of the "comforters" arguments towards Job diminished in quality the more they spoke. Each of the three round's arguments grew more abstract, more contradictory, and weaker. We were done hearing from Job's three friends.)
Job 26
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 How hast thou helped him that is without power! How hast thou saved the arm that hath no strength!
3 How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom, And plentifully declared sound knowledge!
4 To whom hast thou uttered words? And whose spirit came forth from thee?
(Job asked his "comforters" who they had helped. Job blatantly asked them "whose spirit" came out of them (God or enemy?). Job was beginning his "victory" speech.)
5 They that are deceased tremble Beneath the waters and the inhabitants thereof.
6 Sheol is naked before God, And Abaddon hath no covering.
(The word "Abaddon" was Strong's #11 and it meant "destruction.")
7 He stretcheth out the north over empty space, And hangeth the earth upon nothing.
8 He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; And the cloud is not rent under them.
9 He incloseth the face of his throne, And spreadeth his cloud upon it.
10 He hath described a boundary upon the face of the waters, Unto the confines of light and darkness.
11 The pillars of heaven tremble And are astonished at his rebuke.
12 He stirreth up the sea with his power, And by his understanding he smiteth through Rahab.
13 By his Spirit the heavens are garnished; His hand hath pierced the swift serpent.
(Job gave a list of attributes that showed how awesome God was! Remember, the word "Rahab" was Strong's #2793 and it meant "proud," however, it was also used in the Old Testament as a poetic reference to Egypt.)
14 Lo, these are but the outskirts of his ways: And how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?
(Job stated that this list was only a portion of how awesome God was! Job had declared victory. Next, it was time to conclude his interaction with his three friends.)
Job 27
1 And Job again took up his parable, and said,
(Job presented his conclusion with a "parable." This word parable was Strong's #4912 mashal which meant "sense of superiority in mental action." Job was completely in charge of this debate.)
2 As God liveth, who hath taken away my right, And the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul:
3 (For my life is yet whole in me, And the spirit of God is in my nostrils);
4 Surely my lips shall not speak unrighteousness, Neither shall my tongue utter deceit.
5 Far be it from me that I should justify you: Till I die I will not put away mine integrity from me.
6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: My heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
(Job stated his will that he would not renounce God.
**This was officially the moment that God was proven right before Satan.**
Satan believed that Job would renounce God if his HAVE and DO were taken away and Job had proven that he would not. Job stated he would not, even in the very midst of his extreme suffering.)
7 Let mine enemy be as the wicked, And let him that riseth up against me be as the unrighteous.
8 For what is the hope of the godless, though he get him gain, When God taketh away his soul?
9 Will God hear his cry, When trouble cometh upon him?
10 Will he delight himself in the Almighty, And call upon God at all times?
(Job concluded: The godless may gain in the short term but will lose in the long term. The godless did not inquire of God.)
11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; That which is with the Almighty will I not conceal.
12 Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it; Why then are ye become altogether vain?
13 This is the portion of a wicked man with God, And the heritage of oppressors, which they receive from the Almighty:
(Job's objective became teaching the three "comforters," and he stated his objective to them.)
14 If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword; And his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.
15 Those that remain of him shall be buried in death, And his widows shall make no lamentation.
16 Though he heap up silver as the dust, And prepare raiment as the clay;
17 He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, And the innocent shall divide the silver.
18 He buildeth his house as the moth, And as a booth which the keeper maketh.
19 He lieth down rich, but he shall not be gathered to his fathers; He openeth his eyes, and he is not.
20 Terrors overtake him like waters; A tempest stealeth him away in the night.
21 The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth; And it sweepeth him out of his place.
22 For God shall hurl at him, and not spare: He would fain flee out of his hand.
23 Men shall clap their hands at him, And shall hiss him out of his place.
(Verses 14-23 was a list of things that happen to the wicked, making the point that "the wicked will not get away with their wickedness." Job was not done with his conclusion.)
(This post covered the conclusion of the Third Round and the beginning of Job's "victory speech.")
Day 150
Day 148: Job 22-24
(The previous post covered Zophar's Second Round perspective and Job's response. Job summarized his position and then proved his three "friends" had been unprofitable in their comfort towards him. Job proved his three friends had been false/contradictory in their answers to him.)
Job 22
1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,
(Again, Eliphaz was the first "comforter" to respond to Job. This time it was the Third Round.)
2 Can a man be profitable unto God? Surely he that is wise is profitable unto himself.
3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? Or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?
4 Is it for thy fear of him that he reproveth thee, That he entereth with thee into judgment?
5 Is not thy wickedness great? Neither is there any end to thine iniquities.
(Eliphaz was saying there was no benefit to God when we were righteous and perfect/profitable.)
6 For thou hast taken pledges of thy brother for nought, And stripped the naked of their clothing.
7 Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, And thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.
(Eliphaz falsely accused Job of not helping the weary and hungry. If this was true, why did Eliphaz wait until now to bring it up? Also, God confirmed that Job was perfect (Job 1:1-8). Clearly, Eliphaz was in the wrong and the course of the debate had put Eliphaz in a box that would only lead to contradictions by Eliphaz. What more could he say?)
8 But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; And the honorable man, he dwelt in it.
9 Thou hast sent widows away empty, And the arms of the fatherless have been broken.
10 Therefore snares are round about thee, And sudden fear troubleth thee,
11 Or darkness, so that thou canst not see, And abundance of waters cover thee.
(Now the accusations were that Job hadn't helped widows and orphans.)
12 Is not God in the height of heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are!
13 And thou sayest, What doth God know? Can he judge through the thick darkness?
14 Thick clouds are a covering to him, so that he seeth not; And he walketh on the vault of heaven.
15 Wilt thou keep the old way Which wicked men have trodden?
16 Who were snatched away before their time, Whose foundation was poured out as a stream,
17 Who said unto God, Depart from us; And, What can the Almighty do for us?
18 Yet he filled their houses with good things: But the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
19 The righteous see it, and are glad; And the innocent laugh them to scorn,
20 Saying, Surely they that did rise up against us are cut off, And the remnant of them the fire hath consumed.
21 Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: Thereby good shall come unto thee.
(How does stating, "be at peace" help Job figure out why he is suffering?)
22 Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, And lay up his words in thy heart.
(Again, does telling Job to "lay up His words in thy heart" help Job understand? Hasn't Job been trying to find the words of understanding to lay up in his heart?)
23 If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, If thou put away unrighteousness far from thy tents.
(Eliphaz attempted to cover his tracks by saying abstract platitudes that sounded great. (v. 21: "be at peace," v. 22: "lay up His words in thine heart"). Eliphaz created his own doctrine and was trying to appear like he was speaking for God.)
24 And lay thou thy treasure in the dust, And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks;
25 And the Almighty will be thy treasure, And precious silver unto thee.
26 For then shalt thou delight thyself in the Almighty, And shalt lift up thy face unto God.
27 Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he will hear thee; And thou shalt pay thy vows.
28 Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee; And light shall shine upon thy ways.
29 When they cast thee down, thou shalt say, There is lifting up; And the humble person he will save.
30 He will deliver even him that is not innocent: Yea, he shall be delivered through the cleanness of thy hands.
(This was an appeal to works. Eliphaz was saying "Do these things and God will overlook your sin." During the First Round, Eliphaz told Job to focus on appearance. When Elipaz could not answer Job's questions, his Second Round response was to attack Job's attitude as being prideful. Now, we see the end of Eliphaz's argument was contradictory: Job should use his ability to please God, after Eliphaz told Job he was prideful for thinking he had any ability.
Eliphaz was analogous to Determinists: people who create their own doctrine, and cannot answer questions about their man-made doctrine without being contradictory and accusing people of being prideful...yet telling people to use their abilities to do works that are pleasing to God and prove they are saved.)
Job 23
1 Then Job answered and said,
(Job's Third Round response to Eliphaz.)
2 Even to-day is my complaint rebellious: My stroke is heavier than my groaning.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!
4 I would set my cause in order before him, And fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know the words which he would answer me, And understand what he would say unto me.
6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.
7 There the upright might reason with him; So should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
(Job had a great understanding of God. Job ignored Eliphaz's response. Job attempted to teach Eliphaz God's process: God would answer those who were not prideful with a reason and God would end up being Right. Job essentially argued for God's power and against Eliphaz's view of God being not excellent enough to be able to answer Job.)
8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; And backward, but I cannot perceive him;
9 On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.
10 But he knoweth the way that I take; When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11 My foot hath held fast to his steps; His way have I kept, and turned not aside.
12 I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
(Job stated that he had done the things Eliphaz stated from the previous chapter (v. 22). With that comment, Eliphaz was effectively proven to be completely wrong. Now, Job could focus on resolving his issue without Eliphaz.)
13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
14 For he performeth that which is appointed for me: And many such things are with him.
15 Therefore am I terrified at his presence; When I consider, I am afraid of him.
(Job admitted he was afraid of God.)
16 For God hath made my heart faint, And the Almighty hath terrified me;
17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, Neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.
Job 24
(This chapter's theme was "people in pain because they did not have understanding." Job was hoping that his pain would help others get understanding so they would not be in pain.)
1 Why are times not laid up by the Almighty? And why do not they that know him see his days?
(Job began with two excellent questions.)
2 There are that remove the landmarks; They violently take away flocks, and feed them.
3 They drive away the ass of the fatherless; They take the widow's ox for a pledge.
4 They turn the needy out of the way: The poor of the earth all hide themselves.
(The wicked tormented the poor to the point the poor had to isolate themselves in order to exist.)
5 Behold, as wild asses in the desert They go forth to their work, seeking diligently for food; The wilderness yieldeth them bread for their children.
6 They cut their provender in the field; And they glean the vintage of the wicked.
7 They lie all night naked without clothing, And have no covering in the cold.
8 They are wet with the showers of the mountains, And embrace the rock for want of a shelter.
9 There are that pluck the fatherless from the breast, And take a pledge of the poor;
(This was a list of various things the wicked got at the expense of the poor.)
10 So that they go about naked without clothing, And being hungry they carry the sheaves.
11 They make oil within the walls of these men; They tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst.
12 From out of the populous city men groan, And the soul of the wounded crieth out: Yet God regardeth not the folly.
13 These are of them that rebel against the light; They know not the ways thereof, Nor abide in the paths thereof.
(Verses 12-13 were concerned with wicked men who rebel against God without fear of punishment, and cause pain to others.)
14 The murderer riseth with the light; He killeth the poor and needy; And in the night he is as a thief.
15 The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, Saying, No eye shall see me: And he disguiseth his face.
16 In the dark they dig through houses: They shut themselves up in the day-time; They know not the light.
17 For the morning is to all of them as thick darkness; For they know the terrors of the thick darkness.
18 Swiftly they pass away upon the face of the waters; Their portion is cursed in the earth: They turn not into the way of the vineyards.
19 Drought and heat consume the snow waters: So doth Sheol those that have sinned.
20 The womb shall forget him; The worm shall feed sweetly on him; He shall be no more remembered; And unrighteousness shall be broken as a tree.
21 He devoureth the barren that beareth not, And doeth not good to the widow.
22 Yet God preserveth the mighty by his power: He riseth up that hath no assurance of life.
(It did not appear there was any punishment for being wicked, however...)
23 God giveth them to be in security, and they rest thereon; And his eyes are upon their ways.
24 They are exalted; yet a little while, and they are gone; Yea, they are brought low, they are taken out of the way as all others, And are cut off as the tops of the ears of grain.
(God was aware of this injustice and the wicked gained only in the short term. Job essentially justified God and proved God was Awesome...in response to Eliphaz stating God was not excellent enough to give an answer.)
25 And if it be not so now, who will prove me a liar, And make my speech nothing worth?
(Job openly asked to be proven wrong! Would Bildad respond? Would he have a better response than Eliphaz?)
(This post covered Eliphaz's weak Deterministic Third Round perspective and Job's response.)
Day 149
Job 22
1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,
(Again, Eliphaz was the first "comforter" to respond to Job. This time it was the Third Round.)
2 Can a man be profitable unto God? Surely he that is wise is profitable unto himself.
3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? Or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?
4 Is it for thy fear of him that he reproveth thee, That he entereth with thee into judgment?
5 Is not thy wickedness great? Neither is there any end to thine iniquities.
(Eliphaz was saying there was no benefit to God when we were righteous and perfect/profitable.)
6 For thou hast taken pledges of thy brother for nought, And stripped the naked of their clothing.
7 Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, And thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.
(Eliphaz falsely accused Job of not helping the weary and hungry. If this was true, why did Eliphaz wait until now to bring it up? Also, God confirmed that Job was perfect (Job 1:1-8). Clearly, Eliphaz was in the wrong and the course of the debate had put Eliphaz in a box that would only lead to contradictions by Eliphaz. What more could he say?)
8 But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; And the honorable man, he dwelt in it.
9 Thou hast sent widows away empty, And the arms of the fatherless have been broken.
10 Therefore snares are round about thee, And sudden fear troubleth thee,
11 Or darkness, so that thou canst not see, And abundance of waters cover thee.
(Now the accusations were that Job hadn't helped widows and orphans.)
12 Is not God in the height of heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are!
13 And thou sayest, What doth God know? Can he judge through the thick darkness?
14 Thick clouds are a covering to him, so that he seeth not; And he walketh on the vault of heaven.
15 Wilt thou keep the old way Which wicked men have trodden?
16 Who were snatched away before their time, Whose foundation was poured out as a stream,
17 Who said unto God, Depart from us; And, What can the Almighty do for us?
18 Yet he filled their houses with good things: But the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
19 The righteous see it, and are glad; And the innocent laugh them to scorn,
20 Saying, Surely they that did rise up against us are cut off, And the remnant of them the fire hath consumed.
21 Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: Thereby good shall come unto thee.
(How does stating, "be at peace" help Job figure out why he is suffering?)
22 Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, And lay up his words in thy heart.
(Again, does telling Job to "lay up His words in thy heart" help Job understand? Hasn't Job been trying to find the words of understanding to lay up in his heart?)
23 If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, If thou put away unrighteousness far from thy tents.
(Eliphaz attempted to cover his tracks by saying abstract platitudes that sounded great. (v. 21: "be at peace," v. 22: "lay up His words in thine heart"). Eliphaz created his own doctrine and was trying to appear like he was speaking for God.)
24 And lay thou thy treasure in the dust, And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks;
25 And the Almighty will be thy treasure, And precious silver unto thee.
26 For then shalt thou delight thyself in the Almighty, And shalt lift up thy face unto God.
27 Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he will hear thee; And thou shalt pay thy vows.
28 Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee; And light shall shine upon thy ways.
29 When they cast thee down, thou shalt say, There is lifting up; And the humble person he will save.
30 He will deliver even him that is not innocent: Yea, he shall be delivered through the cleanness of thy hands.
(This was an appeal to works. Eliphaz was saying "Do these things and God will overlook your sin." During the First Round, Eliphaz told Job to focus on appearance. When Elipaz could not answer Job's questions, his Second Round response was to attack Job's attitude as being prideful. Now, we see the end of Eliphaz's argument was contradictory: Job should use his ability to please God, after Eliphaz told Job he was prideful for thinking he had any ability.
Eliphaz was analogous to Determinists: people who create their own doctrine, and cannot answer questions about their man-made doctrine without being contradictory and accusing people of being prideful...yet telling people to use their abilities to do works that are pleasing to God and prove they are saved.)
Job 23
1 Then Job answered and said,
(Job's Third Round response to Eliphaz.)
2 Even to-day is my complaint rebellious: My stroke is heavier than my groaning.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!
4 I would set my cause in order before him, And fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know the words which he would answer me, And understand what he would say unto me.
6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.
7 There the upright might reason with him; So should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
(Job had a great understanding of God. Job ignored Eliphaz's response. Job attempted to teach Eliphaz God's process: God would answer those who were not prideful with a reason and God would end up being Right. Job essentially argued for God's power and against Eliphaz's view of God being not excellent enough to be able to answer Job.)
8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; And backward, but I cannot perceive him;
9 On the left hand, when he doth work, but I cannot behold him; He hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.
10 But he knoweth the way that I take; When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11 My foot hath held fast to his steps; His way have I kept, and turned not aside.
12 I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
(Job stated that he had done the things Eliphaz stated from the previous chapter (v. 22). With that comment, Eliphaz was effectively proven to be completely wrong. Now, Job could focus on resolving his issue without Eliphaz.)
13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
14 For he performeth that which is appointed for me: And many such things are with him.
15 Therefore am I terrified at his presence; When I consider, I am afraid of him.
(Job admitted he was afraid of God.)
16 For God hath made my heart faint, And the Almighty hath terrified me;
17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, Neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.
Job 24
(This chapter's theme was "people in pain because they did not have understanding." Job was hoping that his pain would help others get understanding so they would not be in pain.)
1 Why are times not laid up by the Almighty? And why do not they that know him see his days?
(Job began with two excellent questions.)
2 There are that remove the landmarks; They violently take away flocks, and feed them.
3 They drive away the ass of the fatherless; They take the widow's ox for a pledge.
4 They turn the needy out of the way: The poor of the earth all hide themselves.
(The wicked tormented the poor to the point the poor had to isolate themselves in order to exist.)
5 Behold, as wild asses in the desert They go forth to their work, seeking diligently for food; The wilderness yieldeth them bread for their children.
6 They cut their provender in the field; And they glean the vintage of the wicked.
7 They lie all night naked without clothing, And have no covering in the cold.
8 They are wet with the showers of the mountains, And embrace the rock for want of a shelter.
9 There are that pluck the fatherless from the breast, And take a pledge of the poor;
(This was a list of various things the wicked got at the expense of the poor.)
10 So that they go about naked without clothing, And being hungry they carry the sheaves.
11 They make oil within the walls of these men; They tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst.
12 From out of the populous city men groan, And the soul of the wounded crieth out: Yet God regardeth not the folly.
13 These are of them that rebel against the light; They know not the ways thereof, Nor abide in the paths thereof.
(Verses 12-13 were concerned with wicked men who rebel against God without fear of punishment, and cause pain to others.)
14 The murderer riseth with the light; He killeth the poor and needy; And in the night he is as a thief.
15 The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, Saying, No eye shall see me: And he disguiseth his face.
16 In the dark they dig through houses: They shut themselves up in the day-time; They know not the light.
17 For the morning is to all of them as thick darkness; For they know the terrors of the thick darkness.
18 Swiftly they pass away upon the face of the waters; Their portion is cursed in the earth: They turn not into the way of the vineyards.
19 Drought and heat consume the snow waters: So doth Sheol those that have sinned.
20 The womb shall forget him; The worm shall feed sweetly on him; He shall be no more remembered; And unrighteousness shall be broken as a tree.
21 He devoureth the barren that beareth not, And doeth not good to the widow.
22 Yet God preserveth the mighty by his power: He riseth up that hath no assurance of life.
(It did not appear there was any punishment for being wicked, however...)
23 God giveth them to be in security, and they rest thereon; And his eyes are upon their ways.
24 They are exalted; yet a little while, and they are gone; Yea, they are brought low, they are taken out of the way as all others, And are cut off as the tops of the ears of grain.
(God was aware of this injustice and the wicked gained only in the short term. Job essentially justified God and proved God was Awesome...in response to Eliphaz stating God was not excellent enough to give an answer.)
25 And if it be not so now, who will prove me a liar, And make my speech nothing worth?
(Job openly asked to be proven wrong! Would Bildad respond? Would he have a better response than Eliphaz?)
(This post covered Eliphaz's weak Deterministic Third Round perspective and Job's response.)
Day 149
Day 147: Job 19-21
(The previous post covered Bildad's Second Round response. Bildad believed Job was unrighteous and did not know God and Bildad would only answer Job's questions once Job became smarter. Here was Job's Second Round response to Bildad.)
Job 19
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 How long will ye vex my soul, And break me in pieces with words?
(Job stated that his "friends" were breaking him in pieces with their words! Words can create and words can destroy.)
3 These ten times have ye reproached me: Ye are not ashamed that ye deal hardly with me.
4 And be it indeed that I have erred, Mine error remaineth with myself.
5 If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, And plead against me my reproach;
6 Know now that God hath subverted me in my cause, And hath compassed me with his net.
(Job accepted that this could be his fault and that he was alone.)
7 Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry for help, but there is no justice.
(KEY POINT: Job did not know that Justice would eventually be equaled out.)
8 He hath walled up my way that I cannot pass, And hath set darkness in my paths.
9 He hath stripped me of my glory, And taken the crown from my head.
10 He hath broken me down on every side, and I am gone; And my hope hath he plucked up like a tree.
11 He hath also kindled his wrath against me, And he counteth me unto him as one of his adversaries.
(Job stated that God counted him as an enemy.)
12 His troops come on together, And cast up their way against me, And encamp round about my tent.
13 He hath put my brethren far from me, And mine acquaintance are wholly estranged from me.
14 My kinsfolk have failed, And my familiar friends have forgotten me.
15 They that dwell in my house, and my maids, count me for a stranger; I am an alien in their sight.
16 I call unto my servant, and he giveth me no answer, Though I entreat him with my mouth.
17 My breath is strange to my wife, And my supplication to the children of mine own mother.
18 Even young children despise me; If I arise, they speak against me.
19 All my familiar friends abhor me, And they whom I loved are turned against me.
(Job was alone in his suffering.)
20 My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, And I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.
21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; For the hand of God hath touched me.
(Job thought that the least his friends could do was to have pity on him. This would have been better than his "friends" breaking him with their words.)
22 Why do ye persecute me as God, And are not satisfied with my flesh?
23 Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
(Job wanted these words in a book. He was still thinking and he still wanted to help others.)
24 That with an iron pen and lead They were graven in the rock for ever!
25 But as for me I know that my Redeemer liveth, And at last he will stand up upon the earth:
26 And after my skin, even this body, is destroyed, Then without my flesh shall I see God;
27 Whom I, even I, shall see, on my side, And mine eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger. My heart is consumed within me.
28 If ye say, How we will persecute him! And that the root of the matter is found in me;
29 Be ye afraid of the sword: For wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, That ye may know there is a judgment.
(Job stated that he would eventually meet God. Job believed God would justify him and punish his friends. (This was a warning to his friends.) Job's Second Round response to Bildad, was not to Bildad. It was to all three friends and essentially stated that they would be judged for not showing Job compassion. It appeared Job did not even recognize Bildad's words. It was now time for Zophar's Second Round perspective.)
Job 20
1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
2 Therefore do my thoughts give answer to me, Even by reason of my haste that is in me.
3 I have heard the reproof which putteth me to shame; And the spirit of my understanding answereth me.
4 Knowest thou not this of old time, Since man was placed upon earth,
5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless but for a moment?
(Zophar wanted to ignore everything that had happened by saying that this all did not matter in the big picture.)
6 Though his height mount up to the heavens, And his head reach unto the clouds;
7 Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: They that have seen him shall say, Where is he?
8 He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: Yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.
9 The eye which saw him shall see him no more; Neither shall his place any more behold him.
10 His children shall seek the favor of the poor, And his hands shall give back his wealth.
11 His bones are full of his youth, But it shall lie down with him in the dust.
12 Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, Though he hide it under his tongue,
13 Though he spare it, and will not let it go, But keep it still within his mouth;
14 Yet his food in his bowels is turned, It is the gall of asps within him.
15 He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again; God will cast them out of his belly.
(Was Zophar measuring the cause of Job's suffering by Job's possessions?...Job's HAVE?)
16 He shall suck the poison of asps: The viper's tongue shall slay him.
17 He shall not look upon the rivers, The flowing streams of honey and butter.
18 That which he labored for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down; According to the substance that he hath gotten, he shall not rejoice.
19 For he hath oppressed and forsaken the poor; He hath violently taken away a house, and he shall not build it up.
20 Because he knew no quietness within him, He shall not save aught of that wherein he delighteth.
21 There was nothing left that he devoured not; Therefore his prosperity shall not endure.
(Remember, the author and God stated that Job was perfect (maximum profitability - Job 1:1-8). Zophar is contradicting God to say that Job was unprofitable and destructive.)
22 In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: The hand of every one that is in misery shall come upon him.
23 When he is about to fill his belly, God will cast the fierceness of his wrath upon him, And will rain it upon him while he is eating.
24 He shall flee from the iron weapon, And the bow of brass shall strike him through.
25 He draweth it forth, and it cometh out of his body; Yea, the glittering point cometh out of his gall: Terrors are upon him.
26 All darkness is laid up for his treasures: A fire not blown by man shall devour him; It shall consume that which is left in his tent.
27 The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, And the earth shall rise up against him.
28 The increase of his house shall depart; His goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath.
29 This is the portion of a wicked man from God, And the heritage appointed unto him by God.
(Zophar finished by saying Job must be wrong and wicked because he lost all his goods. Zophar did measure the spiritual by the physical.)
(Zophar's response can be summed up by the following statement: "Even if things appear to be just, it won't last for long." It was time for Job to begin the Third, and final, Round.)
Job 21
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 Hear diligently my speech; And let this be your consolations.
3 Suffer me, and I also will speak; And after that I have spoken, mock on.
(Job expected them to continue to mock him, but not until after he spoke.)
4 As for me, is my complaint to man? And why should I not be impatient?
5 Mark me, and be astonished, And lay your hand upon your mouth.
6 Even when I remember I am troubled, And horror taketh hold on my flesh.
7 Wherefore do the wicked live, Become old, yea, wax mighty in power?
8 Their seed is established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them.
10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; Their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, And their children dance.
12 They sing to the timbrel and harp, And rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
13 They spend their days in prosperity, And in a moment they go down to Sheol.
(Job stated that the wicked did prosper. Job was using a contrastive method to what he was experiencing. He was considering where he could be wrong.)
14 And they say unto God, Depart from us; For we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
(Job also made the point the wicked did not desire God, did not want to serve God, and did not believe there was a profit in praying to God.)
16 Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand: The counsel of the wicked is far from me.
17 How oft is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out? That their calamity cometh upon them? That God distributeth sorrows in his anger?
18 That they are as stubble before the wind, And as chaff that the storm carrieth away?
19 Ye say, God layeth up his iniquity for his children. Let him recompense it unto himself, that he may know it:
20 Let his own eyes see his destruction, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21 For what careth he for his house after him, When the number of his months is cut off?
22 Shall any teach God knowledge, Seeing he judgeth those that are high?
23 One dieth in his full strength, Being wholly at ease and quiet:
24 His pails are full of milk, And the marrow of his bones is moistened.
25 And another dieth in bitterness of soul, And never tasteth of good.
26 They lie down alike in the dust, And the worm covereth them.
(Job was showing his three friends their answers were contradictory. If Job suffered loss because he sinned, then why didn't the wicked always suffer loss? Job asked his three friends why some men were good and died young and some men were wicked and died old.)
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, And the devices wherewith ye would wrong me.
28 For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? And where is the tent wherein the wicked dwelt?
(Here, Job implied that one of the reasons his "friends" accused him of wickedness is because they could not find anyone else to blame. Had they considered all the options?)
29 Have ye not asked wayfaring men? And do ye not know their evidences,
30 That the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity? That they are led forth to the day of wrath?
31 Who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done?
32 Yet shall he be borne to the grave, And men shall keep watch over the tomb.
33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, And all men shall draw after him, As there were innumerable before him.
34 How then comfort ye me in vain, Seeing in your answers there remaineth only falsehood?
(This post covered Zophar's Second Round perspective and Job's response. Job summarized his position and then proved his three "friends" had been unprofitable in their comfort towards him. Job proved his three friends had been false/contradictory in their answers to him.)
Day 148
Job 19
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 How long will ye vex my soul, And break me in pieces with words?
(Job stated that his "friends" were breaking him in pieces with their words! Words can create and words can destroy.)
3 These ten times have ye reproached me: Ye are not ashamed that ye deal hardly with me.
4 And be it indeed that I have erred, Mine error remaineth with myself.
5 If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, And plead against me my reproach;
6 Know now that God hath subverted me in my cause, And hath compassed me with his net.
(Job accepted that this could be his fault and that he was alone.)
7 Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry for help, but there is no justice.
(KEY POINT: Job did not know that Justice would eventually be equaled out.)
8 He hath walled up my way that I cannot pass, And hath set darkness in my paths.
9 He hath stripped me of my glory, And taken the crown from my head.
10 He hath broken me down on every side, and I am gone; And my hope hath he plucked up like a tree.
11 He hath also kindled his wrath against me, And he counteth me unto him as one of his adversaries.
(Job stated that God counted him as an enemy.)
12 His troops come on together, And cast up their way against me, And encamp round about my tent.
13 He hath put my brethren far from me, And mine acquaintance are wholly estranged from me.
14 My kinsfolk have failed, And my familiar friends have forgotten me.
15 They that dwell in my house, and my maids, count me for a stranger; I am an alien in their sight.
16 I call unto my servant, and he giveth me no answer, Though I entreat him with my mouth.
17 My breath is strange to my wife, And my supplication to the children of mine own mother.
18 Even young children despise me; If I arise, they speak against me.
19 All my familiar friends abhor me, And they whom I loved are turned against me.
(Job was alone in his suffering.)
20 My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, And I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.
21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; For the hand of God hath touched me.
(Job thought that the least his friends could do was to have pity on him. This would have been better than his "friends" breaking him with their words.)
22 Why do ye persecute me as God, And are not satisfied with my flesh?
23 Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
(Job wanted these words in a book. He was still thinking and he still wanted to help others.)
24 That with an iron pen and lead They were graven in the rock for ever!
25 But as for me I know that my Redeemer liveth, And at last he will stand up upon the earth:
26 And after my skin, even this body, is destroyed, Then without my flesh shall I see God;
27 Whom I, even I, shall see, on my side, And mine eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger. My heart is consumed within me.
28 If ye say, How we will persecute him! And that the root of the matter is found in me;
29 Be ye afraid of the sword: For wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, That ye may know there is a judgment.
(Job stated that he would eventually meet God. Job believed God would justify him and punish his friends. (This was a warning to his friends.) Job's Second Round response to Bildad, was not to Bildad. It was to all three friends and essentially stated that they would be judged for not showing Job compassion. It appeared Job did not even recognize Bildad's words. It was now time for Zophar's Second Round perspective.)
Job 20
1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
2 Therefore do my thoughts give answer to me, Even by reason of my haste that is in me.
3 I have heard the reproof which putteth me to shame; And the spirit of my understanding answereth me.
4 Knowest thou not this of old time, Since man was placed upon earth,
5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless but for a moment?
(Zophar wanted to ignore everything that had happened by saying that this all did not matter in the big picture.)
6 Though his height mount up to the heavens, And his head reach unto the clouds;
7 Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: They that have seen him shall say, Where is he?
8 He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: Yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.
9 The eye which saw him shall see him no more; Neither shall his place any more behold him.
10 His children shall seek the favor of the poor, And his hands shall give back his wealth.
11 His bones are full of his youth, But it shall lie down with him in the dust.
12 Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, Though he hide it under his tongue,
13 Though he spare it, and will not let it go, But keep it still within his mouth;
14 Yet his food in his bowels is turned, It is the gall of asps within him.
15 He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again; God will cast them out of his belly.
(Was Zophar measuring the cause of Job's suffering by Job's possessions?...Job's HAVE?)
16 He shall suck the poison of asps: The viper's tongue shall slay him.
17 He shall not look upon the rivers, The flowing streams of honey and butter.
18 That which he labored for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down; According to the substance that he hath gotten, he shall not rejoice.
19 For he hath oppressed and forsaken the poor; He hath violently taken away a house, and he shall not build it up.
20 Because he knew no quietness within him, He shall not save aught of that wherein he delighteth.
21 There was nothing left that he devoured not; Therefore his prosperity shall not endure.
(Remember, the author and God stated that Job was perfect (maximum profitability - Job 1:1-8). Zophar is contradicting God to say that Job was unprofitable and destructive.)
22 In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: The hand of every one that is in misery shall come upon him.
23 When he is about to fill his belly, God will cast the fierceness of his wrath upon him, And will rain it upon him while he is eating.
24 He shall flee from the iron weapon, And the bow of brass shall strike him through.
25 He draweth it forth, and it cometh out of his body; Yea, the glittering point cometh out of his gall: Terrors are upon him.
26 All darkness is laid up for his treasures: A fire not blown by man shall devour him; It shall consume that which is left in his tent.
27 The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, And the earth shall rise up against him.
28 The increase of his house shall depart; His goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath.
29 This is the portion of a wicked man from God, And the heritage appointed unto him by God.
(Zophar finished by saying Job must be wrong and wicked because he lost all his goods. Zophar did measure the spiritual by the physical.)
(Zophar's response can be summed up by the following statement: "Even if things appear to be just, it won't last for long." It was time for Job to begin the Third, and final, Round.)
Job 21
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 Hear diligently my speech; And let this be your consolations.
3 Suffer me, and I also will speak; And after that I have spoken, mock on.
(Job expected them to continue to mock him, but not until after he spoke.)
4 As for me, is my complaint to man? And why should I not be impatient?
5 Mark me, and be astonished, And lay your hand upon your mouth.
6 Even when I remember I am troubled, And horror taketh hold on my flesh.
7 Wherefore do the wicked live, Become old, yea, wax mighty in power?
8 Their seed is established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them.
10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; Their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, And their children dance.
12 They sing to the timbrel and harp, And rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
13 They spend their days in prosperity, And in a moment they go down to Sheol.
(Job stated that the wicked did prosper. Job was using a contrastive method to what he was experiencing. He was considering where he could be wrong.)
14 And they say unto God, Depart from us; For we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
(Job also made the point the wicked did not desire God, did not want to serve God, and did not believe there was a profit in praying to God.)
16 Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand: The counsel of the wicked is far from me.
17 How oft is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out? That their calamity cometh upon them? That God distributeth sorrows in his anger?
18 That they are as stubble before the wind, And as chaff that the storm carrieth away?
19 Ye say, God layeth up his iniquity for his children. Let him recompense it unto himself, that he may know it:
20 Let his own eyes see his destruction, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21 For what careth he for his house after him, When the number of his months is cut off?
22 Shall any teach God knowledge, Seeing he judgeth those that are high?
23 One dieth in his full strength, Being wholly at ease and quiet:
24 His pails are full of milk, And the marrow of his bones is moistened.
25 And another dieth in bitterness of soul, And never tasteth of good.
26 They lie down alike in the dust, And the worm covereth them.
(Job was showing his three friends their answers were contradictory. If Job suffered loss because he sinned, then why didn't the wicked always suffer loss? Job asked his three friends why some men were good and died young and some men were wicked and died old.)
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, And the devices wherewith ye would wrong me.
28 For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? And where is the tent wherein the wicked dwelt?
(Here, Job implied that one of the reasons his "friends" accused him of wickedness is because they could not find anyone else to blame. Had they considered all the options?)
29 Have ye not asked wayfaring men? And do ye not know their evidences,
30 That the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity? That they are led forth to the day of wrath?
31 Who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done?
32 Yet shall he be borne to the grave, And men shall keep watch over the tomb.
33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, And all men shall draw after him, As there were innumerable before him.
34 How then comfort ye me in vain, Seeing in your answers there remaineth only falsehood?
(This post covered Zophar's Second Round perspective and Job's response. Job summarized his position and then proved his three "friends" had been unprofitable in their comfort towards him. Job proved his three friends had been false/contradictory in their answers to him.)
Day 148
Day 146: Job 16-18
(The previous post covered Eliphaz's Second Round response which included attacking Job, and accusing him of both being in pride and of turning his back on God. Also, Eliphaz claimed he must be right because of his age/experience and number of people who agree with him. Next was Job's Second Round response to Eliphaz.)
Job 16
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 I have heard many such things: Miserable comforters are ye all.
(Job answered back and referred to his "friends" as "Miserable comforters." The attacks continued...)
3 Shall vain words have an end? Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest?
(Job stated their words were vain (unprofitable) and then asked them what their objective was.)
4 I also could speak as ye do; If your soul were in my soul's stead, I could join words together against you, And shake my head at you.
5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the solace of my lips would assuage your grief.
(Job told them that anyone could do what they were doing and that if their roles were reversed, he would strengthen them with his mouth (with words) and remove their grief.)
6 Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged; And though I forbear, what am I eased?
7 But now he hath made me weary: Thou hast made desolate all my company.
8 And thou hast laid fast hold on me, which is a witness against me: And my leanness riseth up against me, It testifieth to my face.
9 He hath torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me; He hath gnashed upon me with his teeth: Mine adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me.
10 They have gaped upon me with their mouth; They have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully: They gather themselves together against me.
(Job recognized he was being abused. His "friends" were ganging up on him. They were empowering themselves by each other's words.)
11 God delivereth me to the ungodly, And casteth me into the hands of the wicked.
12 I was at ease, and he brake me asunder; Yea, he hath taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces: He hath also set me up for his mark.
(Job believed his "friends" were ungodly and wicked and that God had given him into their hands.)
13 His archers compass me round about; He cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; He poureth out my gall upon the ground.
14 He breaketh me with breach upon breach; He runneth upon me like a giant.
15 I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, And have laid my horn in the dust.
16 My face is red with weeping, And on my eyelids is the shadow of death;
17 Although there is no violence in my hands, And my prayer is pure.
(Job still believed he did not cause this suffering. However, this did not help because he still did not know what was the cause/why.)
18 O earth, cover not thou my blood, And let my cry have no resting -place.
19 Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And he that voucheth for me is on high.
20 My friends scoff at me: But mine eye poureth out tears unto God,
21 That he would maintain the right of a man with God, And of a son of man with his neighbor!
22 For when a few years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return.
(Job still thought he would only get his answer once he was dead.)
(In this first part of Job's response to Eliphaz, it can be summed up by the following statement: "You haven't changed my mind at all because you aren't experiencing what I'm experiencing and even if you were experiencing what I'm experiencing, I'd at least show you compassion and encourage you.")
Job 17
1 My spirit is consumed, my days are extinct, The grave is ready for me.
2 Surely there are mockers with me, And mine eye dwelleth upon their provocation.
(Job considered his "friends" as mockers.)
3 Give now a pledge, be surety for me with thyself; Who is there that will strike hands with me?
4 For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: Therefore shalt thou not exalt them.
5 He that denounceth his friends for a prey, Even the eyes of his children shall fail.
6 But he hath made me a byword of the people; And they spit in my face.
(Job had accepted what happened and was ready to die. Job believed he had no help to change his situation.)
7 Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, And all my members are as a shadow.
8 Upright men shall be astonished at this, And the innocent shall stir up himself against the godless.
9 Yet shall the righteous hold on his way, And he that hath clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger.
10 But as for you all, come on now again; And I shall not find a wise man among you.
(Job said he could not find one wise man among them. In 1 Corinthians 6:5, Paul stated the following: "I say this to move you to shame. What, cannot there be found among you one wise man who shall be able to decide between his brethren..."
Was it possible Paul got this line from Job? At the very least, Paul was dealing with a similar "foolish" group of people.)
11 My days are past, my purposes are broken off, Even the thoughts of my heart.
12 They change the night into day: The light, say they, is near unto the darkness.
13 If I look for Sheol as my house; If I have spread my couch in the darkness;
14 If I have said to corruption, Thou art my father; To the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister;
15 Where then is my hope? And as for my hope, who shall see it?
16 It shall go down to the bars of Sheol, When once there is rest in the dust.
(This second half of Job's response can be summed up by this question and statement from Job: "Will you show me compassion and encourage me? Otherwise I have no hope and I'm ready to die!")
Job 18
1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
(Like the First Round, Bildad spoke second in the Second Round.)
2 How long will ye hunt for words? Consider, and afterwards we will speak.
3 Wherefore are we counted as beasts, And are become unclean in your sight?
(Bildad blamed Job for the inability of the three "friends" to help.)
4 Thou that tearest thyself in thine anger, Shall the earth be forsaken for thee? Or shall the rock be removed out of its place?
5 Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, And the spark of his fire shall not shine.
6 The light shall be dark in his tent, And his lamp above him shall be put out.
7 The steps of his strength shall be straitened, And his own counsel shall cast him down.
(Bildad was saying that Job was wicked. This was Bildad's justification for the three "friends" to not help him.)
8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet, And he walketh upon the toils.
(Bildad stated that this was Job's own fault.)
9 A gin shall take him by the heel, And a snare shall lay hold on him.
10 A noose is hid for him in the ground, And a trap for him in the way.
11 Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, And shall chase him at his heels.
12 His strength shall be hunger-bitten, And calamity shall be ready at his side.
13 The members of his body shall be devoured, Yea, the first-born of death shall devour his members.
14 He shall be rooted out of his tent where he trusteth; And he shall be brought to the king of terrors.
15 There shall dwell in his tent that which is none of his: Brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.
16 His roots shall be dried up beneath, And above shall his branch be cut off.
17 His remembrance shall perish from the earth, And he shall have no name in the street.
(Bildad was implying that Job's entire reputation was now destroyed.)
18 He shall be driven from light into darkness, And chased out of the world.
19 He shall have neither son nor son's son among his people, Nor any remaining where he sojourned.
20 They that come after shall be astonished at his day, As they that went before were affrighted.
21 Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous, And this is the place of him that knoweth not God.
(Bildad did the opposite of showing compassion and encouraging Job.)
(This post covered Bildad's Second Round response. Bildad believed Job was unrighteous and did not know God and Bildad would only answer Job's questions once Job became smarter.)
Day 147
Job 16
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 I have heard many such things: Miserable comforters are ye all.
(Job answered back and referred to his "friends" as "Miserable comforters." The attacks continued...)
3 Shall vain words have an end? Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest?
(Job stated their words were vain (unprofitable) and then asked them what their objective was.)
4 I also could speak as ye do; If your soul were in my soul's stead, I could join words together against you, And shake my head at you.
5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the solace of my lips would assuage your grief.
(Job told them that anyone could do what they were doing and that if their roles were reversed, he would strengthen them with his mouth (with words) and remove their grief.)
6 Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged; And though I forbear, what am I eased?
7 But now he hath made me weary: Thou hast made desolate all my company.
8 And thou hast laid fast hold on me, which is a witness against me: And my leanness riseth up against me, It testifieth to my face.
9 He hath torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me; He hath gnashed upon me with his teeth: Mine adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me.
10 They have gaped upon me with their mouth; They have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully: They gather themselves together against me.
(Job recognized he was being abused. His "friends" were ganging up on him. They were empowering themselves by each other's words.)
11 God delivereth me to the ungodly, And casteth me into the hands of the wicked.
12 I was at ease, and he brake me asunder; Yea, he hath taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces: He hath also set me up for his mark.
(Job believed his "friends" were ungodly and wicked and that God had given him into their hands.)
13 His archers compass me round about; He cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; He poureth out my gall upon the ground.
14 He breaketh me with breach upon breach; He runneth upon me like a giant.
15 I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, And have laid my horn in the dust.
16 My face is red with weeping, And on my eyelids is the shadow of death;
17 Although there is no violence in my hands, And my prayer is pure.
(Job still believed he did not cause this suffering. However, this did not help because he still did not know what was the cause/why.)
18 O earth, cover not thou my blood, And let my cry have no resting -place.
19 Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And he that voucheth for me is on high.
20 My friends scoff at me: But mine eye poureth out tears unto God,
21 That he would maintain the right of a man with God, And of a son of man with his neighbor!
22 For when a few years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return.
(Job still thought he would only get his answer once he was dead.)
(In this first part of Job's response to Eliphaz, it can be summed up by the following statement: "You haven't changed my mind at all because you aren't experiencing what I'm experiencing and even if you were experiencing what I'm experiencing, I'd at least show you compassion and encourage you.")
Job 17
1 My spirit is consumed, my days are extinct, The grave is ready for me.
2 Surely there are mockers with me, And mine eye dwelleth upon their provocation.
(Job considered his "friends" as mockers.)
3 Give now a pledge, be surety for me with thyself; Who is there that will strike hands with me?
4 For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: Therefore shalt thou not exalt them.
5 He that denounceth his friends for a prey, Even the eyes of his children shall fail.
6 But he hath made me a byword of the people; And they spit in my face.
(Job had accepted what happened and was ready to die. Job believed he had no help to change his situation.)
7 Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, And all my members are as a shadow.
8 Upright men shall be astonished at this, And the innocent shall stir up himself against the godless.
9 Yet shall the righteous hold on his way, And he that hath clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger.
10 But as for you all, come on now again; And I shall not find a wise man among you.
(Job said he could not find one wise man among them. In 1 Corinthians 6:5, Paul stated the following: "I say this to move you to shame. What, cannot there be found among you one wise man who shall be able to decide between his brethren..."
Was it possible Paul got this line from Job? At the very least, Paul was dealing with a similar "foolish" group of people.)
11 My days are past, my purposes are broken off, Even the thoughts of my heart.
12 They change the night into day: The light, say they, is near unto the darkness.
13 If I look for Sheol as my house; If I have spread my couch in the darkness;
14 If I have said to corruption, Thou art my father; To the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister;
15 Where then is my hope? And as for my hope, who shall see it?
16 It shall go down to the bars of Sheol, When once there is rest in the dust.
(This second half of Job's response can be summed up by this question and statement from Job: "Will you show me compassion and encourage me? Otherwise I have no hope and I'm ready to die!")
Job 18
1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
(Like the First Round, Bildad spoke second in the Second Round.)
2 How long will ye hunt for words? Consider, and afterwards we will speak.
3 Wherefore are we counted as beasts, And are become unclean in your sight?
(Bildad blamed Job for the inability of the three "friends" to help.)
4 Thou that tearest thyself in thine anger, Shall the earth be forsaken for thee? Or shall the rock be removed out of its place?
5 Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, And the spark of his fire shall not shine.
6 The light shall be dark in his tent, And his lamp above him shall be put out.
7 The steps of his strength shall be straitened, And his own counsel shall cast him down.
(Bildad was saying that Job was wicked. This was Bildad's justification for the three "friends" to not help him.)
8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet, And he walketh upon the toils.
(Bildad stated that this was Job's own fault.)
9 A gin shall take him by the heel, And a snare shall lay hold on him.
10 A noose is hid for him in the ground, And a trap for him in the way.
11 Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, And shall chase him at his heels.
12 His strength shall be hunger-bitten, And calamity shall be ready at his side.
13 The members of his body shall be devoured, Yea, the first-born of death shall devour his members.
14 He shall be rooted out of his tent where he trusteth; And he shall be brought to the king of terrors.
15 There shall dwell in his tent that which is none of his: Brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.
16 His roots shall be dried up beneath, And above shall his branch be cut off.
17 His remembrance shall perish from the earth, And he shall have no name in the street.
(Bildad was implying that Job's entire reputation was now destroyed.)
18 He shall be driven from light into darkness, And chased out of the world.
19 He shall have neither son nor son's son among his people, Nor any remaining where he sojourned.
20 They that come after shall be astonished at his day, As they that went before were affrighted.
21 Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous, And this is the place of him that knoweth not God.
(Bildad did the opposite of showing compassion and encouraging Job.)
(This post covered Bildad's Second Round response. Bildad believed Job was unrighteous and did not know God and Bildad would only answer Job's questions once Job became smarter.)
Day 147
Day 145: Job 13-15
(The previous post covered Zophar's First Round statement and Job's response. Also, Job began the Second Round stating he had not learned anything from his friends.)
Job 13
(Job continued to speak during the Second Round, with a different tone.)
1 Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, Mine ear hath heard and understood it.
2 What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.
3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God.
4 But ye are forgers of lies; Ye are all physicians of no value.
5 Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! And it would be your wisdom.
6 Hear now my reasoning, And hearken to the pleadings of my lips.
(Job stated that his friends had not helped but he still wanted to understand and that God alone could explain this why. Verse 4: Job was done with his friends and started going on the attack.)
7 Will ye speak unrighteously for God, And talk deceitfully for him?
8 Will ye show partiality to him? Will ye contend for God?
9 Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceiveth a man, will ye deceive him?
10 He will surely reprove you If ye do secretly show partiality.
11 Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall upon you?
12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defences are defences of clay.
13 Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak; And let come on me what will.
(Job declared his friends as false teachers!)
14 Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand?
15 Behold, he will slay me; I have no hope: Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him.
16 This also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him.
17 Hear diligently my speech, And let my declaration be in your ears.
18 Behold now, I have set my cause in order; I know that I am righteous.
(Job was not going to stop trying to understand and he still did not believe he caused this.)
19 Who is he that will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the ghost.
20 Only do not two things unto me; Then will I not hide myself from thy face:
21 Withdraw thy hand far from me; And let not thy terror make me afraid.
22 Then call thou, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and answer thou me.
23 How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.
(Job wanted to talk with God, face to face, without fear. If Job did cause this, he wanted to know how.)
24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, And holdest me for thine enemy?
25 Wilt thou harass a driven leaf? And wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?
26 For thou writest bitter things against me, And makest me to inherit the iniquities of my youth:
27 Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, And markest all my paths; Thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet:
28 Though I am like a rotten thing that consumeth, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.
(This chapter can be summed up by Job stating to his "friends": "You are false teachers. I want to meet with God so I can understand why this is happening.")
Job 14
1 Man, that is born of a woman, Is of few days, and full of trouble.
2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: He fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
(Job recognized he was nothing compared to God. Job was still humble.)
3 And dost thou open thine eyes upon such a one, And bringest me into judgment with thee?
4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.
5 Seeing his days are determined, The number of his months is with thee, And thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
6 Look away from him, that he may rest, Till he shall accomplish, as a hireling, his day.
7 For there is hope of a tree, If it be cut down, that it will sprout again, And that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
(Job believed any chance of him being profitable would happen after he was dead because he could not point to something that would change. All three of his friends had spoken to no avail. Job had been asking God for the reason and had not received an answer. Why would Job expect an answer now when he had not received one yet?)
8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, And the stock thereof die in the ground;
9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud, And put forth boughs like a plant.
10 But man dieth, and is laid low: Yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?
11 As the waters fail from the sea, And the river wasteth and drieth up;
12 So man lieth down and riseth not: Till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, Nor be roused out of their sleep.
13 Oh that thou wouldest hide me in Sheol, That thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, That thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!
(Job believed his suffering was an effect of God's wrath upon everything. This was part of Job's CONCLUSION #1 in chapter 9 that stated God destroyed everyone, good and bad. Job wanted his suffering to stop and for God to remember him when God's wrath was gone.)
14 If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my warfare would I wait, Till my release should come.
15 Thou wouldest call, and I would answer thee: Thou wouldest have a desire to the work of thy hands.
16 But now thou numberest my steps: Dost thou not watch over my sin?
17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag, And thou fastenest up mine iniquity.
(Job stated that his sin was sealed up. Job still did not understand why he was suffering and he thought it may have been from a transgression that he was unaware.)
18 But the mountain falling cometh to nought; And the rock is removed out of its place;
19 The waters wear the stones; The overflowings thereof wash away the dust of the earth: So thou destroyest the hope of man.
20 Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth; Thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away.
21 His sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not; And they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.
22 But his flesh upon him hath pain, And his soul within him mourneth.
(Job's Second Round perspective was that his friends were useless, false teachers even, and that he would not get resolution until he was dead.)
Job 15
(Like during the First Round, Eliphaz began the Second Round.)
1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,
2 Should a wise man make answer with vain knowledge, And fill himself with the east wind?
(In the Bible, an "east wind" was what brought a "curse." This was a big accusation against Job.)
3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk, Or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?
4 Yea, thou doest away with fear, And hinderest devotion before God.
5 For thine iniquity teacheth thy mouth, And thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.
6 Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I; Yea, thine own lips testify against thee.
(Eliphaz responded by attacking back. Eliphaz did not want to reason with Job and his excuse for not having to deal with Job was that Job was in pride.)
7 Art thou the first man that was born? Or wast thou brought forth before the hills?
8 Hast thou heard the secret counsel of God? And dost thou limit wisdom to thyself?
9 What knowest thou, that we know not? What understandest thou, which is not in us?
10 With us are both the gray-headed and the very aged men, Much elder than thy father.
(Eliphaz thought he was right because he had more people on his side. Eliphaz could not reason with Job, so he stated his age/seniority as proof he was right.)
11 Are the consolations of God too small for thee, Even the word that is gentle toward thee?
12 Why doth thy heart carry thee away? And why do thine eyes flash,
13 That against God thou turnest thy spirit, And lettest words go out of thy mouth?
(Eliphaz accused Job of turning against God. If Eliphaz was right, then Satan would be right.)
14 What is man, that he should be clean? And he that is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
15 Behold, he putteth no trust in his holy ones; Yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight:
16 How much less one that is abominable and corrupt, A man that drinketh iniquity like water!
17 I will show thee, hear thou me; And that which I have seen I will declare:
18 (Which wise men have told From their fathers, and have not hid it;
19 Unto whom alone the land was given, And no stranger passed among them):
20 The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, Even the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor.
21 A sound of terrors is in his ears; In prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.
22 He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, And he is waited for of the sword.
23 He wandereth abroad for bread, saying, Where is it? He knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.
24 Distress and anguish make him afraid; They prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.
25 Because he hath stretched out his hand against God, And behaveth himself proudly against the Almighty;
(Again, Eliphaz accused Job of turning against God.)
26 He runneth upon him with a stiff neck, With the thick bosses of his bucklers;
27 Because he hath covered his face with his fatness, And gathered fat upon his loins;
28 And he hath dwelt in desolate cities, In houses which no man inhabited, Which were ready to become heaps;
29 He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, Neither shall their possessions be extended on the earth.
30 He shall not depart out of darkness; The flame shall dry up his branches, And by the breath of God's mouth shall he go away.
31 Let him not trust in vanity, deceiving himself; For vanity shall be his recompense.
(Eliphaz accused Job of trusting in vanity (unprofitability) and that vanity would be his reward.)
32 It shall be accomplished before his time, And his branch shall not be green.
33 He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, And shall cast off his flower as the olive-tree.
34 For the company of the godless shall be barren, And fire shall consume the tents of bribery.
35 They conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity, And their heart prepareth deceit.
(This post covered Eliphaz's Second Round response which included attacking Job, and accusing him of both being in pride and turning his back on God. Also, Eliphaz claimed he must be right because of his age/experience and number of people who agree with him.)
Day 146
Job 13
(Job continued to speak during the Second Round, with a different tone.)
1 Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, Mine ear hath heard and understood it.
2 What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.
3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God.
4 But ye are forgers of lies; Ye are all physicians of no value.
5 Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! And it would be your wisdom.
6 Hear now my reasoning, And hearken to the pleadings of my lips.
(Job stated that his friends had not helped but he still wanted to understand and that God alone could explain this why. Verse 4: Job was done with his friends and started going on the attack.)
7 Will ye speak unrighteously for God, And talk deceitfully for him?
8 Will ye show partiality to him? Will ye contend for God?
9 Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceiveth a man, will ye deceive him?
10 He will surely reprove you If ye do secretly show partiality.
11 Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall upon you?
12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defences are defences of clay.
13 Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak; And let come on me what will.
(Job declared his friends as false teachers!)
14 Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand?
15 Behold, he will slay me; I have no hope: Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him.
16 This also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him.
17 Hear diligently my speech, And let my declaration be in your ears.
18 Behold now, I have set my cause in order; I know that I am righteous.
(Job was not going to stop trying to understand and he still did not believe he caused this.)
19 Who is he that will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the ghost.
20 Only do not two things unto me; Then will I not hide myself from thy face:
21 Withdraw thy hand far from me; And let not thy terror make me afraid.
22 Then call thou, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and answer thou me.
23 How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.
(Job wanted to talk with God, face to face, without fear. If Job did cause this, he wanted to know how.)
24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, And holdest me for thine enemy?
25 Wilt thou harass a driven leaf? And wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?
26 For thou writest bitter things against me, And makest me to inherit the iniquities of my youth:
27 Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, And markest all my paths; Thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet:
28 Though I am like a rotten thing that consumeth, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.
(This chapter can be summed up by Job stating to his "friends": "You are false teachers. I want to meet with God so I can understand why this is happening.")
Job 14
1 Man, that is born of a woman, Is of few days, and full of trouble.
2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: He fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
(Job recognized he was nothing compared to God. Job was still humble.)
3 And dost thou open thine eyes upon such a one, And bringest me into judgment with thee?
4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.
5 Seeing his days are determined, The number of his months is with thee, And thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
6 Look away from him, that he may rest, Till he shall accomplish, as a hireling, his day.
7 For there is hope of a tree, If it be cut down, that it will sprout again, And that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
(Job believed any chance of him being profitable would happen after he was dead because he could not point to something that would change. All three of his friends had spoken to no avail. Job had been asking God for the reason and had not received an answer. Why would Job expect an answer now when he had not received one yet?)
8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, And the stock thereof die in the ground;
9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud, And put forth boughs like a plant.
10 But man dieth, and is laid low: Yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?
11 As the waters fail from the sea, And the river wasteth and drieth up;
12 So man lieth down and riseth not: Till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, Nor be roused out of their sleep.
13 Oh that thou wouldest hide me in Sheol, That thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, That thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!
(Job believed his suffering was an effect of God's wrath upon everything. This was part of Job's CONCLUSION #1 in chapter 9 that stated God destroyed everyone, good and bad. Job wanted his suffering to stop and for God to remember him when God's wrath was gone.)
14 If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my warfare would I wait, Till my release should come.
15 Thou wouldest call, and I would answer thee: Thou wouldest have a desire to the work of thy hands.
16 But now thou numberest my steps: Dost thou not watch over my sin?
17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag, And thou fastenest up mine iniquity.
(Job stated that his sin was sealed up. Job still did not understand why he was suffering and he thought it may have been from a transgression that he was unaware.)
18 But the mountain falling cometh to nought; And the rock is removed out of its place;
19 The waters wear the stones; The overflowings thereof wash away the dust of the earth: So thou destroyest the hope of man.
20 Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth; Thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away.
21 His sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not; And they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.
22 But his flesh upon him hath pain, And his soul within him mourneth.
(Job's Second Round perspective was that his friends were useless, false teachers even, and that he would not get resolution until he was dead.)
Job 15
(Like during the First Round, Eliphaz began the Second Round.)
1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,
2 Should a wise man make answer with vain knowledge, And fill himself with the east wind?
(In the Bible, an "east wind" was what brought a "curse." This was a big accusation against Job.)
3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk, Or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?
4 Yea, thou doest away with fear, And hinderest devotion before God.
5 For thine iniquity teacheth thy mouth, And thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.
6 Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I; Yea, thine own lips testify against thee.
(Eliphaz responded by attacking back. Eliphaz did not want to reason with Job and his excuse for not having to deal with Job was that Job was in pride.)
7 Art thou the first man that was born? Or wast thou brought forth before the hills?
8 Hast thou heard the secret counsel of God? And dost thou limit wisdom to thyself?
9 What knowest thou, that we know not? What understandest thou, which is not in us?
10 With us are both the gray-headed and the very aged men, Much elder than thy father.
(Eliphaz thought he was right because he had more people on his side. Eliphaz could not reason with Job, so he stated his age/seniority as proof he was right.)
11 Are the consolations of God too small for thee, Even the word that is gentle toward thee?
12 Why doth thy heart carry thee away? And why do thine eyes flash,
13 That against God thou turnest thy spirit, And lettest words go out of thy mouth?
(Eliphaz accused Job of turning against God. If Eliphaz was right, then Satan would be right.)
14 What is man, that he should be clean? And he that is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
15 Behold, he putteth no trust in his holy ones; Yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight:
16 How much less one that is abominable and corrupt, A man that drinketh iniquity like water!
17 I will show thee, hear thou me; And that which I have seen I will declare:
18 (Which wise men have told From their fathers, and have not hid it;
19 Unto whom alone the land was given, And no stranger passed among them):
20 The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, Even the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor.
21 A sound of terrors is in his ears; In prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.
22 He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, And he is waited for of the sword.
23 He wandereth abroad for bread, saying, Where is it? He knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.
24 Distress and anguish make him afraid; They prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.
25 Because he hath stretched out his hand against God, And behaveth himself proudly against the Almighty;
(Again, Eliphaz accused Job of turning against God.)
26 He runneth upon him with a stiff neck, With the thick bosses of his bucklers;
27 Because he hath covered his face with his fatness, And gathered fat upon his loins;
28 And he hath dwelt in desolate cities, In houses which no man inhabited, Which were ready to become heaps;
29 He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, Neither shall their possessions be extended on the earth.
30 He shall not depart out of darkness; The flame shall dry up his branches, And by the breath of God's mouth shall he go away.
31 Let him not trust in vanity, deceiving himself; For vanity shall be his recompense.
(Eliphaz accused Job of trusting in vanity (unprofitability) and that vanity would be his reward.)
32 It shall be accomplished before his time, And his branch shall not be green.
33 He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, And shall cast off his flower as the olive-tree.
34 For the company of the godless shall be barren, And fire shall consume the tents of bribery.
35 They conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity, And their heart prepareth deceit.
(This post covered Eliphaz's Second Round response which included attacking Job, and accusing him of both being in pride and turning his back on God. Also, Eliphaz claimed he must be right because of his age/experience and number of people who agree with him.)
Day 146
Day 144: Job 10-12
(The previous post covered Bildad's First Round statement and Job's response. Job reached two conclusions. CONCLUSION #1: God destroyed everyone, good and bad. CONCLUSION #2: If profitability did not prevent God from destroying, then there was no profit in trying to be good.)
Job 10
1 My soul is weary of my life; I will give free course to my complaint; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
(Job continued speaking. This was still the First Round. However, Job had given up on his friends and was now speaking to God...)
2 I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; Show me wherefore thou contendest with me.
(Here, Job blatantly asked why (wherefore) this was happening to him.)
3 Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, That thou shouldest despise the work of thy hands, And shine upon the counsel of the wicked?
4 Hast thou eyes of flesh? Or seest thou as man seeth?
5 Are thy days as the days of man, Or thy years as man's days,
6 That thou inquirest after mine iniquity, And searchest after my sin,
7 Although thou knowest that I am not wicked, And there is none that can deliver out of thy hand?
8 Thy hands have framed me and fashioned me Together round about; yet thou dost destroy me.
9 Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast fashioned me as clay; And wilt thou bring me into dust again?
(Job talked directly to God. He believed God had created him but wanted to know why God, his Creator, would then destroy him. Job continued seeking the why.)
10 Hast thou not poured me out as milk, And curdled me like cheese
11 Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, And knit me together with bones and sinews.
12 Thou hast granted me life and lovingkindness; And thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.
13 Yet these things thou didst hide in thy heart; I know that this is with thee:
14 If I sin, then thou markest me, And thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.
15 If I be wicked, woe unto me; And if I be righteous, yet shall I not lift up my head; Being filled with ignominy, And looking upon mine affliction.
(Job continued talking to God. Job agreed that wicked people get punished but he believed good people did too and he did not know why. The best Job could come up with in regards to his CONCLUSION #2 (If profitability did not prevent God from destroying, then there was no profit in trying to be good) was that it was impossible for man to be good enough to avoid punishment.)
16 And if my head exalt itself, thou huntest me as a lion; And again thou showest thyself marvellous upon me.
17 Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, And increasest thine indignation upon me: Changes and warfare are with me.
18 Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me.
19 I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.
(Job concluded by asking God why (wherefore) he was born if it would be impossible for him to be profitable.)
20 Are not my days few? cease then, And let me alone, that I may take comfort a little,
21 Before I go whence I shall not return, Even to the land of darkness and of the shadow of death;
22 The land dark as midnight, The land of the shadow of death, without any order, And where the light is as midnight.
(In this chapter, it seemed like Job began pondering the "BIG" question: "What is the Meaning of Life?")
(It was time for the third comforter's First Round statement...)
Job 11
1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
(Zophar was the third "comforter" to answer Job during the First Round. There were no previous mentions of Zophar or the Naamathites in the Bible. However, there was a woman named "Naamah" recorded in Genesis 4:22 in which her name was the root word for the word "Naamathite." It appeared this story took place sometime between the time of Abraham and Israel's captivity in Egypt.)
2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be justified?
3 Should thy boastings make men hold their peace? And when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
4 For thou sayest, My doctrine is pure, And I am clean in thine eyes.
(Zophar accused Job of pride.)
5 But oh that God would speak, And open his lips against thee,
6 And that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.
(Zophar told Job that he actually deserved more punishment for his iniquity. The implication of Zophar's statement was that God was unjust!)
7 Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
(Zophar stated that we could never find out (understand) God completely so we should not even try.)
8 It is high as heaven; what canst thou do? Deeper than Sheol; what canst thou know?
9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, And broader than the sea.
10 If he pass through, and shut up, And all unto judgment, then who can hinder him?
11 For he knoweth false men: He seeth iniquity also, even though he consider it not.
12 But vain man is void of understanding, Yea, man is born as a wild ass's colt.
13 If thou set thy heart aright, And stretch out thy hands toward him;
14 If iniquity be in thy hand, put it far away, And let not unrighteousness dwell in thy tents.
15 Surely then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; Yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:
16 For thou shalt forget thy misery; Thou shalt remember it as waters that are passed away,
17 And thy life shall be clearer than the noonday; Though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning.
18 And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; Yea, thou shalt search about thee, and shalt take thy rest in safety.
(Zophar was saying that we cannot understand but we should seek God. Then, after we seek God, we would not fear because we would forget and this was supposed to bring us hope! So basically, we could not understand, but if we did understand, we would forget and this would bring us hope. Zophar's thought process was so flawed, it was frightening! How much worse would it be for someone today to use Zophar's statements as truth to support their own perspective?)
19 Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; Yea, many shall make suit unto thee.
20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, And they shall have no way to flee; And their hope shall be the giving up of the ghost.
(Zophar's response could lead one to believe these three comforters spoke in order of ability. Eliphaz had the best response, while Zophar clearly had a useless perspective.)
Job 12
1 Then Job answered and said,
(After Zophar finished, Job began the Second Round...)
2 No doubt but ye are the people, And wisdom shall die with you.
3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: Yea, who knoweth not such things as these?
4 I am as one that is a laughing-stock to his neighbor, I who called upon God, and he answered: The just, the perfect man is a laughing-stock.
(Job complimented his "friends" as being wise but stated they had not helped him learn anything he did not already know. They were not helping him answer the questions he had about why he was suffering.)
5 In the thought of him that is at ease there is contempt for misfortune; It is ready for them whose foot slippeth.
6 The tents of robbers prosper, And they that provoke God are secure; Into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.
7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; And the birds of the heavens, and they shall tell thee:
8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee; And the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.
9 Who knoweth not in all these, That the hand of Jehovah hath wrought this,
10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind?
11 Doth not the ear try words, Even as the palate tasteth its food?
12 With aged men is wisdom, And in length of days understanding.
13 With God is wisdom and might; He hath counsel and understanding.
(Verses 11-13 presented a powerful statement by Job regarding the importance of words, understanding, and wisdom.
-Knowledge is "the ability to retain facts (right what)."
-Understanding is "combining facts to create new knowledge (right why)."
-Wisdom is "a profitable decision (right how).")
14 Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again; He shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
15 Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up; Again, he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.
16 With him is strength and wisdom; The deceived and the deceiver are his.
17 He leadeth counsellors away stripped, And judges maketh he fools.
18 He looseth the bond of kings, And he bindeth their loins with a girdle.
19 He leadeth priests away stripped, And overthroweth the mighty.
20 He removeth the speech of the trusty, And taketh away the understanding of the elders.
21 He poureth contempt upon princes, And looseth the belt of the strong.
22 He uncovereth deep things out of darkness, And bringeth out to light the shadow of death.
23 He increaseth the nations, and he destroyeth them: He enlargeth the nations, and he leadeth them captive.
24 He taketh away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth, And causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
25 They grope in the dark without light; And he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.
(Job had begun the Second Round confirming he had not learned anything from his friends. Although Job's "comforters" may have had some understanding, they were not helping Job understand why this was happening to him. Job saw that God had the greatest amount of wisdom and understanding, more than Job, and definitely more than his "comforters.")
(This post covered Zophar's First Round statement and Job's response. Also, Job began the Second Round stating he had not learned anything from his friends.)
Day 145
Job 10
1 My soul is weary of my life; I will give free course to my complaint; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
(Job continued speaking. This was still the First Round. However, Job had given up on his friends and was now speaking to God...)
2 I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; Show me wherefore thou contendest with me.
(Here, Job blatantly asked why (wherefore) this was happening to him.)
3 Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, That thou shouldest despise the work of thy hands, And shine upon the counsel of the wicked?
4 Hast thou eyes of flesh? Or seest thou as man seeth?
5 Are thy days as the days of man, Or thy years as man's days,
6 That thou inquirest after mine iniquity, And searchest after my sin,
7 Although thou knowest that I am not wicked, And there is none that can deliver out of thy hand?
8 Thy hands have framed me and fashioned me Together round about; yet thou dost destroy me.
9 Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast fashioned me as clay; And wilt thou bring me into dust again?
(Job talked directly to God. He believed God had created him but wanted to know why God, his Creator, would then destroy him. Job continued seeking the why.)
10 Hast thou not poured me out as milk, And curdled me like cheese
11 Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, And knit me together with bones and sinews.
12 Thou hast granted me life and lovingkindness; And thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.
13 Yet these things thou didst hide in thy heart; I know that this is with thee:
14 If I sin, then thou markest me, And thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.
15 If I be wicked, woe unto me; And if I be righteous, yet shall I not lift up my head; Being filled with ignominy, And looking upon mine affliction.
(Job continued talking to God. Job agreed that wicked people get punished but he believed good people did too and he did not know why. The best Job could come up with in regards to his CONCLUSION #2 (If profitability did not prevent God from destroying, then there was no profit in trying to be good) was that it was impossible for man to be good enough to avoid punishment.)
16 And if my head exalt itself, thou huntest me as a lion; And again thou showest thyself marvellous upon me.
17 Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, And increasest thine indignation upon me: Changes and warfare are with me.
18 Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me.
19 I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.
(Job concluded by asking God why (wherefore) he was born if it would be impossible for him to be profitable.)
20 Are not my days few? cease then, And let me alone, that I may take comfort a little,
21 Before I go whence I shall not return, Even to the land of darkness and of the shadow of death;
22 The land dark as midnight, The land of the shadow of death, without any order, And where the light is as midnight.
(In this chapter, it seemed like Job began pondering the "BIG" question: "What is the Meaning of Life?")
(It was time for the third comforter's First Round statement...)
Job 11
1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
(Zophar was the third "comforter" to answer Job during the First Round. There were no previous mentions of Zophar or the Naamathites in the Bible. However, there was a woman named "Naamah" recorded in Genesis 4:22 in which her name was the root word for the word "Naamathite." It appeared this story took place sometime between the time of Abraham and Israel's captivity in Egypt.)
2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be justified?
3 Should thy boastings make men hold their peace? And when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
4 For thou sayest, My doctrine is pure, And I am clean in thine eyes.
(Zophar accused Job of pride.)
5 But oh that God would speak, And open his lips against thee,
6 And that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.
(Zophar told Job that he actually deserved more punishment for his iniquity. The implication of Zophar's statement was that God was unjust!)
7 Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
(Zophar stated that we could never find out (understand) God completely so we should not even try.)
8 It is high as heaven; what canst thou do? Deeper than Sheol; what canst thou know?
9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, And broader than the sea.
10 If he pass through, and shut up, And all unto judgment, then who can hinder him?
11 For he knoweth false men: He seeth iniquity also, even though he consider it not.
12 But vain man is void of understanding, Yea, man is born as a wild ass's colt.
13 If thou set thy heart aright, And stretch out thy hands toward him;
14 If iniquity be in thy hand, put it far away, And let not unrighteousness dwell in thy tents.
15 Surely then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; Yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:
16 For thou shalt forget thy misery; Thou shalt remember it as waters that are passed away,
17 And thy life shall be clearer than the noonday; Though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning.
18 And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; Yea, thou shalt search about thee, and shalt take thy rest in safety.
(Zophar was saying that we cannot understand but we should seek God. Then, after we seek God, we would not fear because we would forget and this was supposed to bring us hope! So basically, we could not understand, but if we did understand, we would forget and this would bring us hope. Zophar's thought process was so flawed, it was frightening! How much worse would it be for someone today to use Zophar's statements as truth to support their own perspective?)
19 Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; Yea, many shall make suit unto thee.
20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, And they shall have no way to flee; And their hope shall be the giving up of the ghost.
(Zophar's response could lead one to believe these three comforters spoke in order of ability. Eliphaz had the best response, while Zophar clearly had a useless perspective.)
Job 12
1 Then Job answered and said,
(After Zophar finished, Job began the Second Round...)
2 No doubt but ye are the people, And wisdom shall die with you.
3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: Yea, who knoweth not such things as these?
4 I am as one that is a laughing-stock to his neighbor, I who called upon God, and he answered: The just, the perfect man is a laughing-stock.
(Job complimented his "friends" as being wise but stated they had not helped him learn anything he did not already know. They were not helping him answer the questions he had about why he was suffering.)
5 In the thought of him that is at ease there is contempt for misfortune; It is ready for them whose foot slippeth.
6 The tents of robbers prosper, And they that provoke God are secure; Into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.
7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; And the birds of the heavens, and they shall tell thee:
8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee; And the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.
9 Who knoweth not in all these, That the hand of Jehovah hath wrought this,
10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind?
11 Doth not the ear try words, Even as the palate tasteth its food?
12 With aged men is wisdom, And in length of days understanding.
13 With God is wisdom and might; He hath counsel and understanding.
(Verses 11-13 presented a powerful statement by Job regarding the importance of words, understanding, and wisdom.
-Knowledge is "the ability to retain facts (right what)."
-Understanding is "combining facts to create new knowledge (right why)."
-Wisdom is "a profitable decision (right how).")
14 Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again; He shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
15 Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up; Again, he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.
16 With him is strength and wisdom; The deceived and the deceiver are his.
17 He leadeth counsellors away stripped, And judges maketh he fools.
18 He looseth the bond of kings, And he bindeth their loins with a girdle.
19 He leadeth priests away stripped, And overthroweth the mighty.
20 He removeth the speech of the trusty, And taketh away the understanding of the elders.
21 He poureth contempt upon princes, And looseth the belt of the strong.
22 He uncovereth deep things out of darkness, And bringeth out to light the shadow of death.
23 He increaseth the nations, and he destroyeth them: He enlargeth the nations, and he leadeth them captive.
24 He taketh away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth, And causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
25 They grope in the dark without light; And he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.
(Job had begun the Second Round confirming he had not learned anything from his friends. Although Job's "comforters" may have had some understanding, they were not helping Job understand why this was happening to him. Job saw that God had the greatest amount of wisdom and understanding, more than Job, and definitely more than his "comforters.")
(This post covered Zophar's First Round statement and Job's response. Also, Job began the Second Round stating he had not learned anything from his friends.)
Day 145
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