Job 16:1-22

Job responds to the latest accusations from Eliphaz in much the same way that he has responded in the past.  He continues to repeat the same arguments in hopes that his friends will finally listen and understand.  It seems as if he is searching for understanding through his words.  We may have the tendency to need to talk through a situation in order to try to gain perspective and understanding of the situation.  Job longs for understanding and is not at all satisfied by the speeches of his friends so he talks through the situation time and time again.  The truth is that we might be better off simply being silent before the Lord.  However, it is very difficult to do that in the face of great suffering and God is able to bear our endless questions and requests.

JOB COMPLAINS ABOUT HIS COUNSELORS: Job just wishes that someone could understand him and give him comfort and companionship in his time of suffering instead of condemnation.  Job says that he too could use words of condemnation if the tables were turned, but he claims that he would be wise enough to use his words to bring comfort to them in such a situation.  The truth is that Job does not know how he would respond if he were to take the place of one of his friends.  The lesson that we can try to take away from this is simply to try to understand one another and give comfort to one another in face of trials that we do not understand.  There may be a time for confrontation in our friendships, but it is likely not best to do that in the midst of hardship.


JOB COMPLAINS ABOUT HIS CIRCUMSTANCES: Once again Job talks about how God has crushed him beyond his ability to bear.  He believes that God hates him and has abandoned him to the point that evil men have been given dominion over him.  His only request is that he be able to die in order to bring an end to all of the pain that he is suffering.  Job has tried everything but has not been able to find any relief.  He attributes his suffering directly to God and so he appeals to God to bring an end to the suffering through death.  Job is wrong about the motives of God.  God does not hate him, nor has He abandoned him but it is easy to see why Job would feel that way.  We must not allow our circumstances to dictate how we see God.  We can trust that God is always consistent with His own character.  He does not hate us, He loves us and He has promised never to leave us or forsake us.  We must take comfort in the truth no matter how we might feel.

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