Scripture Text: Job 15:1-17:16
Memory Verse: “My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me. Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their production?”—Job 17:1-2
Introduction:
It is now the turn of Eliphaz the Temanite to reproach Job again for his vanity and his impious, unprofitable talk. In a series of rapid-fire questions, he ridicules Job’s supposed knowledge, calling it empty. While Job’s bold words challenging God did lay him open to the charge of casting off fear, it was not fair to accuse him of choosing the tongue of the crafty. If anything, Job was too open and self-revealing. A hypocrite he was not!
Next Eliphaz challenges what he considers Job’s arrogance in thinking so highly of his own thoughts. Eliphaz considered Job’s friends to be the consolations of God and gentle, when in fact they showed a complete lack of a heart for genuine compassionate counseling.
Job rejects Eliphaz’ s analysis of the situation and fights back by calling his critics miserable comforters. God has turned against him and tortures him by turning him over to ungodly men and persecuting him beyond endurance, with wound upon wound. All this is in spite of the fact that he is guilty of no unrighteousness.
As Job, broken in spirit, teeters on the edge of the grave, his friends mock him He wants God alone to try his case because his critics have proven themselves of no use. The Lord has made him an object of contempt. Upright men who see his condition will rise up against his critics, while they continue to protest his integrity. He cannot find a wise upright man among his three antagonists.
Job had expressed hope that God would vindicate him even after death, but his hope was almost gone. All he saw in his future was a decaying body, death, and the grave. Once again, Job cried out for a representative before God, somebody who would put up security for him and get his case settled.
Jesus Christ is Advocate and Mediator for His people and their hope. He gave His own blood as security and those who trust Him always have living hope.
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- Eliphaz lashes out at Job with an even more tenacity. What were his accusations against Job and were they founded upon scripture? (Job 15:1-16)
- How does Eliphaz paint the picture of Job as a wicked man? Explain how this is the work of the devil. (Job 15:17-35)
- Do you think that the “friends” of Job were acting on behalf of God or of the Devil? Explain. (Job 16:1-14; Proverbs 15:4)
- Job longed for God to plead his cause in the heavenly court of justice. What hope do we have that our case will be pleaded in heaven? (Job 16:15-22; 2 Corinthians 5:18; 1 John 2:1)
Applying the Word
What About Suicide?
Job’s Spirit was broken and his hope was almost gone. All he saw in his future was a decaying body, death, and the grave. Job wanted to die, but did not assume that he had the right to take his own life. Is suicide permissible? There is no incident in the Bible of a Godly person committing suicide. (Psalm 31:3-5; Exodus 20:13; Judges 16:23; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Job 17:1-16)
Aristotle wrote: “To run away from trouble is a form of cowardice and while it is true that the suicide braves death, he does not for some noble object but to escape some ill.”