Dear RTB’ers,
Another two chapters in Job – in the first Job is replying to Eliphaz’ comments from yesterday, while in the second he seems to be speaking to God. With poetry it’s never clear to me!
Job is clearly not happy with Eliphaz’ comments – or his friendship! Job wants sympathy, consolation, understanding, but what he is getting is condemnation. Job believes that he is innocent of any big wrongdoing, but Eliphaz has laid it on hard to Job that he is guilty and needs to repent – if he were innocent, he would not be suffering! Much of chapter 6 is Job complaining about his friends’ treatment of him: For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; So that he does not abandon the fear of the Almighty. My brothers have acted deceitfully… (vv. 6:14-15a) He compares his friend’s treatment of him to a dried-up stream (a wadi), where travelers are looking for refreshment but instead find only sand and dirt. (vv. 6:15-21a) By contrast, what Job says in verse 10 is commendable: But it is still my comfort, and I rejoice in unsparing pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One. He has not denied God. Recall his wife’s encouragement to “Curse God and die.” (v. 2:9) But Job, at least for now, appears to be steadfast in seeking God.
In fact, in the next chapter Job speaks directly to God. He is not happy and he vents: Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. Leave me alone, for my days are only a breath. Have I sinned? What have I done to You, Watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target…? (vv. 7:11, 16b, 20a) Job is not happy!
Again, I strongly encourage you to read John’s posts from 2022 and 2023. They are very good!!
Blessings!
See also: