Job is not relating some vague dream like Eliphaz (Job 4:16), or the traditions of past generations (Job 8:8), rather he is speaking from personal experience and observation of the real world. Therefore, in no uncertain terms was he inferior to them. Job has offered facts from nature (Job 12:14-15),... [ Continue Reading ]
Even though out-numbered, he has not been out-argued, yet he would much rather make his case before God than before these friends. "Why waste time arguing with this terrible triad who were smearing the facts" _(Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 734)._... [ Continue Reading ]
They were lying about him being. sinner and thus they were as worthless medical doctors with no prescription to alleviate his pain. The term "smear" means to plaster, thus Job is accusing his friends of plastering over the pain and agony that God brings on the innocent. Not only have they failed to... [ Continue Reading ]
He needs their loyalty now and not their advice. In fact, he remembers the comfort of their silence during their first seven days together and wishes that they would let silence be their wisdom again as they hear him out" _(McKenna pp. 111-112)._ Compare with Proverbs 17:28. The wisest thing they co... [ Continue Reading ]
Job pleads for an opportunity to speak and that they would really listen to him.... [ Continue Reading ]
He accuses his friends of seeking to contend for God without really knowing what God is doing. He is also accusing his friends of talking deceitfully about himself in order to defend God's actions. "How unthinkable that God, the holy, righteous One, could be defended by unholy, unrighteous argumenta... [ Continue Reading ]
"YOUR MEMORABLE SAYINGS ARE PROVERBS OF ASHES": What they claimed were great insights and wisdom worth remembering were as worthless as the ashes in which Job himself was sitting, and their arguments were as defenseless as trying to hide behind. wall made of clay. It is worth remembering, "Note also... [ Continue Reading ]
"THEN LET COME ON ME WHAT MAY": Job was ready to speak out to God and take the consequences.... [ Continue Reading ]
In speaking, Job knows that he is risking his life. "Taking his flesh in his teeth meant risking his life. An animal that carries the flesh of its prey in its mouth risks losing it, because other animals, seeing it, would desire to seize it. Job, then, knew that he was putting himself in. dangerous... [ Continue Reading ]
"THOUGH HE SLAY ME,. WILL HOPE IN HIM": Job was far more interested in justice than in preserving his own life. "He was willing to risk it because of the remote possibility that God would exonerate him" _(Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 735)._ "Most of us easily quote Job 13:15 when we need. proof-text to... [ Continue Reading ]
"Job believes that if he could, as it were, present his case in court with God, that would be his salvation (vindication), for. godless man could not stand before Him" _(Jackson p. 43)._... [ Continue Reading ]
Again Job requested careful attention to his words.... [ Continue Reading ]
He is ready to appear before God, he is convinced that he would be acquitted, "like. diligent lawyer carefully preparing his presentation" _(Zuck p. 61)._ In contrast, to his previous despair, Job is now very confident.... [ Continue Reading ]
"Job was once more boldly affirming the impossibility of anyone's bringing honest charges of guilt against him. If someone, including even God, could do so, then-and only then would he be silent and die" _(p. 61)._... [ Continue Reading ]
"Job has not hesitated to address God earlier (Job 7:12-21; Job 9:28-33; Job 10:2-19), nor will he now (Job 13:20-Job 14:22). He declares that he will face the Lord in court if He will agree to two conditions. First, 'withdraw Thy hand far from me', i.e., remove the punishment presently weighing upo... [ Continue Reading ]
If those conditions are agreeable then Job is ready to present his case. "He suggests that God can prosecute and he will defend, or the situation can be reversed" _(p. 44). _... [ Continue Reading ]
If Job has sinned, then he asks God to reveal the problem. Notice Job is humble and is ready to admit sin, if God will say he has sinned.... [ Continue Reading ]
Job is discouraged that God seems to be hiding from him and refuses to answer him and continues to view Job as His enemy. Job wanted his friends to be silent, but they continued to talk, and God to speak, but He continued to remain silent.... [ Continue Reading ]
To torment. leaf or chase after chaff "was to molest the worthless, to hit. frail, helpless person who was down" _(Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 735)._... [ Continue Reading ]
He feels that God has written bitter things against him and is holding him accountable for sins that he committed in his youth. Such bitter things would be unfair accusations. Note, Job is not saying that he had inherited the sins of his parents (Ezekiel 18:20), but rather he is afraid that God, to... [ Continue Reading ]
In refusing to answer, Job complains that God is treating him like. prisoner, "boxing him in and making it impossible for him to solve his dilemma…God watched every move he made, and branded his feet so that He could easily track Job by his unusual footprints" _(Zuck p. 63). _... [ Continue Reading ]
Job once again sinks back into despair. "His life is rotten and like. pest-eaten garment decaying with no hope of recovery" _(Strauss pp. 127-128). _... [ Continue Reading ]