Our lives are short and full of trouble is Job’s observation in Chapter fourteen. Even a tree has a second chance at life. The roots will sprout again. He does not know what we do. Every human being is eternal life. It will be continued in Heaven or Hell. It is incorrect to believe that once our body dies our life is over. When someone dies, they will live again. Job will answer Jehovah when he questions him.

Eliphaz speaks and continues the accusations of evil in Job’s life found in chapter fifteen. Even old people agree with him and his fellows. How could this diseased and destitute man know more than the wisdom of the aged? He should not be angry with Yahweh. He knows what He is doing and should not be argued with. His words seem true, but he has believed a common misconception. God has given Satan or the Devil the rule of this world. He is the one that causes our distress just as he is the reason for Job’s problems.

Job speaks in answer to Eliphaz in chapter sixteen and denounces the empty speech. He admits that he once believed as they do, but now he knows that not all our troubles are caused by sin. He still believes God is the source of his illness and the tragedies he has experienced. He still maintains his purity in God’s eyes. He again states the shortness of what is left of his life.

©Copyright 2019 by Charles Kensinger

When you hate your own existence, nothing else matters. Job asks God to tell him what the charges are against him in chapter 10. He also wants to know if He enjoys punishing people. Why would the creator destroy the creation? Even though Job is innocent he is full of shame. Why was he even born?

In chapter eleven it is Zophar’s turn to speak. His criticism of Job’s words is that it is idle talk. He even wants Jehovah to speak and tell the sinner that he is a sinner. He wants wisdom to be spoken. Each of us has our own opinion of what wisdom is. He believes some sin has been forgotten. Jesus tells us that it will all be as far as the east is from the west after we accept Him as our savior. Job could lift his head, if only he will confess the wickedness he has caused.

Job’s reply in chapter 12 is that his friends are the only ones who matter. What they believe is true is truth. He is a laughingstock because he wants to talk to Yahweh and does not admit any sin. The life of every creature is in the Lord’s hands. That is not exactly true. God has prevented Job’s death, but Satan is responsible for all the distress in his life. He also agrees that wisdom come from God. Mistakenly he sees no one else responsible for the evil in our world. We all make that mistake.

He continues in chapter thirteen with his proof of the evil caused by God. He has seen it for himself. He wants to converse with Him about these issues. The lies of these friends continue to injure him beyond the illness that he already has. Once again Job takes his life in his own hands. What charges can be brought against him except the untruths that have been brought against him without proof. He is wasting away and believes his death is eminent.

We often believe that our distress is worse than others. Job declares in chapter six that his anguish is very weighty. The arrows he speaks of being hit with are said to be God’s, not Satan’s. We should correct this problem because we know Job’s story. Satan is the tormentor. His strength and stamina to deal with life have failed but Jehovah is constantly there for him.

His friends are not helping with his depression. They believe, as he does, that those who are suffering have only themselves to blame. In this mode of thinking, Jehovah must punish sin. If you are righteous, everything goes positive for you. His appearance must be horrible, but they should still sympathize with him.

In chapter seven we read that Job’s punishment has lasted for months. His physical condition is described, and we should break down in tears for him. We have sleepless nights, but not like he must have been. He is certain that his days are numbered. He does not know that the adversary cannot take his life. He wants to tell his story while he still can. He does not understand why Yahweh will not forgive him.

Job chapter eight features Bildad’s first response. He says that God must have done this to Job because of sin. He replies that if Job repents and asks for forgiveness, he will receive it. The past is proof that he is correct. Because people have always believed the way he does, it must be right. God would never punish a righteous person.

In chapter 9, Job agrees with Bildad but wants to know how to prove that what they believe must be wrong. The power and creativity of Jehovah are acknowledged. How can we argue with God? Everything that Job understood about Him is being disputed. His conviction of sin is established in his loss of his family, wealth and health. Who else could do this, but Jehovah? A mediator is needed. This is exactly what God provides in Jesus, our savior.

https://www.crossway.org/articles/what-does-god-think-of-my-pain/

Today we bounce to the book of Job. Since we are reading the Bible in chronological order you probably wonder why Job comes before the balance of Genesis. We do not know when this book comes in relation to the other books. We do know that the references are for places that we cannot identify. We also know it precedes the Abrahamic covenant.

We begin with the background of Job, our main character in chapter 1. He is a man of integrity and honesty. Satan is introduced in the first chapter. His name means adversary. As we know he always does, one person is targeted. He is Job, that Jehovah points out as loyal to Him.

Why God allows the targeting is a question we will have to ask when we reach Heaven. Read the rest of this book before you decide to ask about this story. We know from this that the Devil has power on earth, but it can be limited by Yahweh. He effectively destroys Job’s wealth and his family. His response to these events is to attribute them to God. This misunderstanding is still prevalent in our time.

Job’s health is preserved but on another day the adversary is given permission to afflict our hero’s health. The nature of the disease appears to be a form of leprosy. Chapter two tells us that the last of Job’s family is taken from him as his wife tells him to curse God and die. We should realize that she has lost everything along with her husband. He believes that God gives trouble and good times. This is an incorrect idea according to this book. The conversation between the victim and his three “friends” will demonstrate this.

As many of us are tempted to do, Job curses the day he was born when he decides to speak in chapter 3. What he does not realize is that none of the things he has lost would exist, if he had not lived. This idea was used effectively in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Our depression from crisis often manifests itself this way. Observe what has been lost. Great wealth, family and his health are gone. His therapy amounts to sitting on the ash heap and scraping the sores.

Eliphaz replies first to his friend in Job 4. His belief is that all trouble is brought on by sin. If there is no disobedience, prosperity and good health follow. Tragedy and bad health are proof of a worthless life. Many falsehoods are stated in this fourth chapter. “Who, being innocent, has ever been punished?” “Those who sow trouble reap it,” Eliphaz claims to have a word from the Almighty.

He does not have any positive encouragement for Job other than that he should appeal to God in chapter 5. Yahweh’s correction is praised. The deliverance from harm is acknowledged. Eliphaz believes what he knows and knows what he believes. It has been proven over the years. Listen as Job disputes these old ideas that sill reign in our world.