Job 15 - 17

Eliphaz Speaks Again and Job Answers

Eliphaz speaks to Job again, and this time his language is harsher and his accusations more personal.  He call Job a windbag (15:1) and accuses him of not fearing God (15:4).  This is an overt contradiction of Job 1:1 which clearly states that Job does fear God.  Eliphaz's fundamental contention is unchanged, i.e. Job is a sinner and is being punished for sinning. In Eliphaz's reasoning this is the only conclusion.

Eliphaz again invokes the "secret counsel" (v. 8) and the "wisdom of the elders" (v.10). He simply cannot see that he is wrong. His own words condemn him.  In verse 15:14 he asks, "Can any mortal be pure?"  Although rhetorical, his answer for everyone is "No!, Except for me!"  If no man can be pure, then Eliphaz is a sinner and deserving of the same punishment Job is suffering.  Delude by his own mysticism, Eliphaz is unable to perceive his own hypocrisy. He even offer to give Job advice from his own experience (v. 17), then proceeds to offer up a diatribe on wicked people.  Like his first speech, Eliphaz provides no comfort to Job.

Job responds to Eliphaz refuting his claims and accusing him of "blowing hot air" (v.16:2) a clear reference to 15:1.  Job is aggravated that all his friends can do is demean him and add insult to injury. They are all miserable comforters (16:1). Job refuses to believe he would be so hypocritical, yet he feels helpless, "Instead, I suffer if I defend myself, and I suffer no less if I refuse to speak." (v. 6).

Realizing the futility of expecting any help from his friends, Job pleads his case to God one more time. He recounts his plight and enumerates the thing God has done to him.  The fatalistic tone returns and Job despairs of life. No friends, silence from God, and horrific suffering have brought him to a low point once again.

In chapter 17, Job continues to ask God to act on his behalf.  He asks God to open the understanding of his friends and show them the error of their way.  He makes another appeal to his friends, asking them to "Come back with better argument." (17:10) knowing they will not.  The chapter ends with Job asking, "Where is my hope? Can anyone find it? No, my hope will go down with me to the grave."

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.