Job 15

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Second Speech of Eliphaz to Job

BACKGROUND NOTES

In his second speech, Eliphaz fires questions at Job in order to shame Job.
In his second speech, Eliphaz reminds Job of the fate of the wicked in order to scare Job.

In the second cycle of dialogs between Job and his three friends Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, what is the main difference in their approach to Job?
What are the accusations that Eliphaz makes against Job’s character in verses 4-10?
In verses 17-19, what is the new authority that Eliphaz claims in his ridicule of Job?
What is Eliphaz’ purpose in listing all of the terrible troubles and judgments that he claims come upon sinners (vs 20-35)? Is Eliphaz wrong in his claims? Is he wrong in putting Job into the category of the wicked?

In this second cycle of dialogs, Job’s three friends show less courtesy and respect toward Job. They show no mercy in their judgment of Job, and demonstrate hostility toward him.
Eliphaz accuses Job of both irreverence (v 4) and crafty hypocrisy (vs 5, 6). In addition, he accuses Job of arrogance (vs 7, 8) and ignorance (v 9).
Eliphaz claims the authority of his own observations as he did in his first speech to Job. However in this second speech, he claims the additional authority of the wisdom of the ages. He claims that the wisdom of their ancestors went back before any alien philosophies became mixed in with philosophies which Job had possibly accepted (v 19).
Eliphaz’ purpose in listing all of the terrible troubles and judgments that he claims come upon sinners is to scare Job into confessing his supposed hidden sins and then get right with God. Eliphaz is not wrong in what he says about the wicked, but he is wrong in putting Job into the category of the wicked.

Discuss the lessons that you can learn about appropriate Christian counseling from the inappropriate counseling of Eliphaz. Consider the experiences you have had as one who has counseled a friend or as one who has received counsel from a friend. Discuss particularly the matters of respect and courtesy.

When you are studying the Bible, are you consistent in properly viewing the context of the verses from which you are drawing biblical principle and truths? While the verses in this lesson in which Eliphaz speaks about angels (saints or holy ones) are included in God’s inspired Word as the true record of what Eliphaz said, they are words from a man who is not necessarily speaking the truth about angels. When seeking biblical guidelines, principles and truths, always carefully consider the context, who is speaking and the clear teaching of the rest of Scripture!

“The wicked man writhes in pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden from the oppressor. He wanders about for bread, saying, ‘Where is it?’ He knows that a day of darkness is ready at hand. For he stretches out his hand against God, and acts defiantly against the Almighty.” Job 15: 20, 23, 25