Description

Where Are We at in the Narrative
 Dialogues (3-27)

• Job’s Opening Lament (3)
• Cycle 1: Consolation (4-14) 
  • Eliphaz the Historian - 1st speech, we reap what we sow, so repent and it will work out in the end (4:1-5:27) 
  • Job’s Response - that doesn’t resolve the current problem (6:1-7:21) 
• Cycle 2: The Fate of the Wicked (15-21)
• Cycle 3: Specific Accusations (22-27)

Job’s Friends Who Speak

Eliphaz - historian, observing what has happened in the past and assuming it will happen again

Bildad - Scientist

Zophar -  Philosopher

Elihu - youngest friend, only one speech

Key Point of Dialogue

• human wisdom is finite and cannot discern the righteousness of God
• While history, science and philosophy are not bad, they can not fully understand the depths of God. 
• What is needed to fully understand the depths of God is special revelation. 

“Job and his friend wanted to analyze the suffering and look for clues and solutions. Using all of their sound theology and insight into the situation, they searched for answers, but found only useless and wrong ideas, for which God eventually rebuked them (42:7) They couldn’t know why Job suffered because what happened in heaven between God and satan was unknown to them. They thought they knew all the answers, but they only intensified the dilemma by their insistent ignorance.”

Eliphaz Speaks - Chapters 4-5

Job Speaks - Chapter 6-7

Final Food for Thought