Job Chapters 15-17
The Second cycle of debate
I. Eliphaz’s lecture intensifies 15:1-35
- Job’s mouth condemns him 15:1-13
- Job’s speech described as a sirocco wind vs 1-3
- Job’s speech viewed as irreverent to God vs 4-6
- Job’s speech is disrespectful to his elders vs 7-13
- The Wicked get what they deserve 15:14-35
- Man’s condition is explained vs 14-16
- Wicked men’s plight is expounded vs 17-35
- Vs 11, 12, 13 Are the consolations of God too small for you, and the words spoken gently with you? Why does your heart carry you away and what do your eyes wink at that you turn your spirit against God and let such words go out of your mouth?
II. Job’s retort 16:1-17:6
- Job’s friends are Miserable comforters 16:1-5
- Friends’ comforts not useful vs 1-5
- Friends instructed on comfort vs 4-5
- Job Laments his situation 16:6-14
- His view of God dealing with him vs 6 -14
- His response to God’s dealings vs 15-22
- 18 O earth do not cover my blood and let my cry have no resting place (Job pleaded with the earth that it not cover his blood, that is, that his injustice be vindicated (cf. Gen 4:10) and that his cry for justice not be buried and forgotten. (Walvoord and Zuck pp.38, 39)
- 20…My eyes pour out tears to God. 21 oh, that one might plead for a man with God as a man pleads for his neighbor.
- He resorts to the heavenly 21-22
- Job’s spirit is broken 17:1-16
- Job credits God for his friends’ behavior
- Job credits God for his reputation before men vs 6- 9
- Job chides his friends again vs 10 -11
- Job credits death for future hope vs 12-16
III. Conclusion
