By Pastor Rich Paradis
Job
has suffered at the hand of Satan by the permission of God. Job has lamented
that suffering. Eliphaz has offered what he considered to be “help”. We now
move to the first of Job’s many responses to his friends. His three friends sat
with Job and were silent for a week, but now they are beginning to answer the
lamenting words of Job in chapters 4-27. They have “advice” and Job will have
reactions to that “advice”. Let’s see what Job has to say to his friend Eliphaz
who basically said that the suffering that Job is going through is a result of
his own sin.
I.
Job
Confronts His Friend’s Response To His Suffering Job
6:1-30
a.
With
the conclusion of Eliphaz’ first volley of advice to the suffering Job, we
begin this section with “Then Job answered…” This is the first of the passages
along the way that will precede the words of Job toward his friends and God. We
will see this same beginning in 9:1, 12:1, 16:1, 19:1, 21:1, 23:1, and 26:1.
b.
Job
begins his remarks in Verses 1-7 by
saying that he only wishes that his words of complaint and struggle were equal
with what he is going through. If that were the situation, than Job would be
suffering a lot less than he is! Instead, he offers that what he is saying is
no match for what he is going through. If it were, his words and his grief
would be as heavy as the sands of the sea. He says that all of this is the
arrows of God against him and the poison of these arrows is breaking his soul
and spirit. He also mentions by way of questions that would have a “no” answer
that somehow his situation and his words are being caused by the heaviness of
his life. In light of this, Job refuses to “eat” or digest the words that
Eliphaz has laid on him. They don’t taste good at all and are not words that
would nourish him.
c.
Job
continues in Verses 8-13 with his
continuing thought that perhaps death would be a relief to what is going on
presently. Somehow, Job would be better off in his mind if his now purposeless
and meaningless life were somehow ended. Of course, let’s be reminded that
again Job is not considering suicide. He just can’t understand the reason or
purpose for his current situation. What he is able to take heart in is the fact
that he has been up to this point been able to rejoice in this incredible pain
and that he has not denied the words of God throughout this affliction thus
far. But he also mentions that his strength is fading and that his inner
strength is waning in the wake of this disaster that has befallen him.
d.
Job
will now take on a courageous undertaking in Verses 14-23. Remember that his friends have been sitting with him
and remaining silent up to this point except for the first response of Eliphaz.
While he has not yet heard from his other friends, he must feel like they are
in agreement with Eliphaz in that he will offer his comments to them all. What
does he say to these friends?
i.
A
despairing man should receive kindness from his friends – Job is fully aware
that he is in bad shape. He is being unjustly allowed to go through a set of
circumstances that would break someone else. Since that is the case, Job says
that his friends should have come alongside him in a more understanding way
instead of the judgmental way that Eliphaz has done it. The reason that Job
give for this friendly support is so that a man will not lose his faith in God
above. Somehow, these friends are representing God on the ground level to Job
and their non-support has only reinforced the fact that God is the One that is
laying all of this on him.
ii.
You
have been unreliable and disappointing – from that initial thought, Job
continues by comparing his friends to a stream, creek, or wadi that flows in
the winter when no water is needed and stops flowing and dries up during the times
of great heat and need during the difficult trying times of summer. He says
that he is not asking for a bribe to God or deliverance from Him or the
friends. He is only looking for some understanding and empathetic response to
this unjust treatment that he is currently suffering under.
e.
Job
concludes his remarks in Verses 23-30
with an appeal to his friends. This appeal is to show him or demonstrate to him
where he is wrong in his analysis of the situation. He shares with them that
his words, although painful to hear, are accurate and undeniable. But they have
treated his words and his reactions like “wind”, unseen and of no substance. He
accuses them of being unfeeling and even says that they would cast lots for and
barter over the despair of the orphan and the friend. But he concludes with an
appeal to them to look into his face and call him out if he’s lying. He says
that they can call him on any inaccuracies in information or discernment in the
words of their suffering friend. But he doesn’t believe he’s wrong! He is
suffering unjustly! His friend Eliphaz has not discerned accurately the
situation that Job suffers under and that lack of compassion and discernment is
both shocking and disappointing to Job.
II.
Job
Confronts God’s Role In All Of This Job 7:1-21
a.
With
the start of chapter 7, Job will now speak to Eliphaz but be considering God’s
economy in all that is before him. In Verses
1-10 we see a picture of the life that man is given here on earth. That
life is full of labor and hard work. It is the life of a military man, a slave
or an employee who works for nothing but his paycheck. That life is a life of
vanity, a life of meaninglessness and emptiness. There are no dreams in this
life beyond the nightmares that awaken the man and remind him that it is not
time to get up yet. So he tosses and turns until it is finally time to arise.
But it is a life that also reminds a man of the shortness of his days in regard
to acquiring or realizing hope. Job’s condition is noted in that he is covered
with worms, scabs, dirt and oozing sores. While his days are short on dreams
and hopes, they are also quickly disappearing like the clouds of the sky. Soon
they will be gone and forgotten. Job’s life and the life of the suffering are
like this.
b.
So
in light of this tragic scenario, Job says in Verses 11-21 that he will not be quiet. He will continue to
complain in that all of his complaining is nothing compared to his pain. He
will continue to bring out the bitterness of his soul at being a man that is
under such unjust attack. Job asks why God would see him as someone who gets
the attention that he seems to be receiving. Is he some kind of chaotic sea or
even a sea monster that demands the eyes of God to watch over him? He is
tormented whether in bed or awake. He feels like death would be a better
alternative to the life that he now leads. He wishes that God would just leave
him alone! Remember that we say things in despair that we will live to regret;
but not now! Job is wondering why every detail of his life must be under the
watchful eye of God. Not unlike Job 6:4, Job is wondering why he is a target of
God Himself. Is it sin? He doesn’t believe so. Has Job done something to offend
God? He doesn’t think so. If so, why
doesn’t God just forgive Job? Then everything could be better, right? But for
now, Job will lie down like a dead man and he will not react to the call of
God…
III.
An
Application For All Of Us
a.
Be
reminded that when you minister to those that are hurting, you will hear them
say things that will both be illogical and theologically incorrect. Try to hear
past those words to the heart of the hurting person.
b.
Be
reminded that Job was not convinced of the advice of Eliphaz. While it was
pretty uncompassionate and even wrongly timed, Job could have used the
opportunity to consider whether there were any “nuggets of truth” in his words.
c.
Be
reminded that even though God sometimes allows testing and while doing so may
seem far away and even uncaring to our unknowing minds and hearts, He is in
fact watching, growing and maturing us our good and His glory.
