The friends of Job sent letters to Job. Their letters were scathing, untrue and scandalous. They should never have been sent but they were. They did not hold their anger but unloaded it. Job is reeling under this constant barrage. Eliphaz turns this debate into a trial. Job is lying on an ash heap and his “friends” are attacking him rather than any advice or concern about his suffering. They lie about Job in their attacks.

1 – The charges against Job (Job 22)

Eliphaz indicts Job on three levels.

• Job is a horrible sinner (vs. 1-11) – These men have been accusing and now they are being specific. Job is a sinner.

1. He charges him with cockiness – Job is accused of being arrogant (vs. 1, 3). Job is acting like his life was important to God. This is a theology that God is big and distant from us and doesn’t care about an individual. God doesn’t even know who you are! God cares about the personal one-to-one relationship.
2. He charges him with covetousness (vs. 6) – Job is accused of being greedy in acquiring more wealth by taking from those who owed him money. He would take their clothes in payment and let them go naked until they could repay. It is not true. It has been said true or not!
3. He charges him with callousness (vs. 7-27) – Eliphaz charges job with callous sins against the needy. He is called “cold-hearted”. They are assuming that Job got his wealth in improper ways. It is not true that all wealthy people got their wealth from stepping on others.

• Job is a hypocrite sinner (vs10-20) – Job is trying to hide his sin by putting on a “spin”. All three of his “friends” have accused him of being a hypocrite. He was not walking the talk. Job was not a hypocrite. He was a man of integrity. They were angry at Job and were just making stuff up as it made them feel better. Job is not sinless or perfect but he is no hypocrite. Job’s counsellors have become a tool of Satan to destroy him. What they are saying is true but it not true about Job. They have the wrong man!
• Job is a hardened sinner (vs. 21-27) – Job is unrepentant and uncompassionate. He would be healed if he would only repent. This is not true. It is not Job who needs to repent but Eliphaz! We should not do the work of the Holy Spirit to try and convict people of sin. The Holy Spirit has to take the word from the head to the heart.

2 – The complaints against God (Job 23-24)

• God flees from me (Job 23:1-7) – Job is not getting anywhere with his friends. He just wants an audience with God.

1. God knows the path I take (vs. 8-10) – Job can’t find God anywhere. Job didn’t know where God was but God knew where Job was. It is not so important that you find God but that you know that God already knows where you are. Job was in the furnace. See Psalm 48:10 & 1 Peter 1:6-7. We all spend some time in the furnace between the cradle and the grave. God keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat.
2. God knows the person I am becoming – Job knows that he is going to come out of this for the better. He is going to end up like fine gold. He is not going to get bitter; he is going to get better!
3. God knows the principles I am following – See Job 23:11-12. Job is in the furnace and the only thing that is keeping him is the words of God. The Bible is the answer to our problems. They are food for our life on earth.

• God frightens me (Job 23:13-17) – God was frightened by the darkness around him and the lack of light. He is honest in his feelings. Fear is with you in the darkness.
• God frustrates me (Job 24:1- ) – It focuses on the injustices that he sees. He wonders why God does not schedule time. He has a look around and notices things.

1. Injustice in the country (vs. 2-11) – There is those who are oppressing the poor and weak. It is not just Job; it appears that God is not doing anything for others. He is negative. Why does God not care of these things?
2. Injustice in the city (vs. 12-17)) – There is the murder of the innocent, immorality, thieves, etc. God is not dealing with all these wrong things. Why? It is alright to ask questions.

• God fails me (Job 24:18-25) – Job has a rant at the injustice around him. Job knows that God’s judgment is coming. God has a safety belt to look after your life. He knows where you are. If God seems far from you. Ask yourself? Who moved? God will never leave you or forsake you.

Categories: Job