JOB 22
ELIPHAZ CONTINUES TO INSULT JOB
Eliphaz speaks for the third time, arguing that Job needs to come to terms with his wickedness. Eliphaz assumes Job distrusts God’s judgment or justice system and encourages Job to simply agree with God’s decision and be at peace with his fate.
Not only does Eliphaz insult Job’s character, but he also demeans his relationship with God.
JOB 23
JOB REAFFIRMS HIS TRUST IN GOD
Throughout Job’s many responses, he consistently argues that God is not punishing him out of fairness or justice. Job questions God’s presence and purpose in his suffering, but Job is still faithful and trusts God’s power and sovereignty.
Job believes that God does what He desires and that He has appointed Job in a unique role to establish His purposes.
JOB 24
JOB CONTINUES TO ARGUE HIS CASE
Job continues his response to Eliphaz and empathizes with the poor and needy who never receive the justice of their oppressors. Job responds to the claims of Eliphaz by pointing out that many injustices go unpunished.
Job compares wickedness to a broken tree, the same device that Jesus would later die upon in response to the wickedness of the world.
JOB 26
MANKIND CANNOT COMPREHEND GOD’S MAJESTY
Job responds to Bildad with the observation that mankind cannot understand or fully comprehend God's vast majesty and power. Job realizes that God’s perspective is far larger than his own and claims that he can only grasp a whisper of God’s thunderous power.
JOB 27
JOB DECLARES HIS FAITHFULNESS TO GOD
Job resolves that his faith and integrity towards God will remain unwavering. Job declares that as long as he has breath and the spirit of God within him, he will not speak falsehood or utter deceit. Even in his misery, Job clings to righteousness.
JOB 29
JOB MISSES FEELING CLOSE TO GOD
After Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar each speak multiple times, Job makes his final remarks toward his defense. Job recalls his life before his suffering and describes his righteousness and generosity. More than he misses his old way of life, he misses the closeness he felt with God. Job says that the prime of his life was when he felt God’s closeness and friendship.
JOB 32
ELIHU JOINS THE CONVERSATION
Another man, Elihu, was nearby, raging with anger over the comments of Job’s friends. Because he was younger and unknown to the men, he waited to offer his opinion to Job and the three friends. Elihu rebukes Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, and argues that they did not have an intelligent response or rebuttal to Job’s claims.
JOB 35
ELIHU CONDEMNS JOB
Elihu brings up the idea that neither sin nor righteousness affects God’s position of righteousness. Elihu condemns Job, telling him that his words are empty and meaningless. Elihu finds Job’s assumptions of God offensive and tells him that God does not hear his empty cries.
Similar to the words of Job’s friends, Elihu’s advice is confusing because parts of his advice contain truth, while others do not. It is important to note that although all of Scripture is inspired by God’s spirit, not every word is meant to be taken out of context or read as words spoken by God.
JOB 36
ELIHU CLAIMS TO SPEAK ON GOD’S BEHALF
As Elihu continues, he claims to be speaking on God’s behalf and arrogantly describes himself as perfect in wisdom. Elihu continues to enthusiastically praise God for his greatness and might and notes that because of God’s authority over the earth, His ways are incomprehensible.
JOB 38
JOB HEARS FROM GOD
After hearing from Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, and Elihu, Job gets a response directly from God.
God questions Job, asking him if he knew how the world worked, from creation to the galaxy to the seas. God is in control of the light and the darkness, something Job has no knowledge of or authority over. God uses His vast creation to show Job that there is much he will never understand or govern.
Job 38:4 - Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.
JOB 39
GOD DESCRIBES THE INTRICACIES OF HIS CREATION
God continues to describe the many aspects of the universe and His reign over them, reminding Job that his perspective is very small compared to God’s. God shows Job the scope of His greatness and power, detailing intimate knowledge of His creation.
JOB 40
GOD EMPHASIZES HIS AUTHORITY
God asked Job if he could argue with His authority, and Job repented, unable to answer God. Job promises to remain silent, not questioning God’s power or motive again.
God uses Behemoth, a giant ox-like creature, as an example of his might. Job could not handle an animal of Behemoth’s size and strength, but God created and sustained him with ease.
JOB 41
ALL THINGS IN CREATION ARE UNDER GOD’S AUTHORITY
God continues, this time using Leviathan, a powerful coiled sea monster, as an example. To Job, Leviathan would be terrifying, but God is able to subdue him with a simple fishhook.
All things in creation, even powerful and destructive forces, are under God’s authority.