Job 6:1-30

Job now takes the stage to defend himself against the accusations of Eliphaz.  He has been accused of being a sinner and not trusting the Lord without any specific accusation of sin in his life.  He has been presumed to be guilty of sin simply based on the circumstances of his life.  Job is not ready to take this accusation sitting down so he sets out to defend himself.  His words are harsh and dripping with pain, but are so eloquently spoken.  The poetry of this book is astounding and is a literary gem.  The content is disturbing and can be confusing but it is rich in vocabulary and imagery.  Perhaps one of the greatest lessons that we can take away from this book is simply to recognize that we do not always need to defend ourselves.  I think that Job would have been much better off had he just heard his friends out without feeling need to make personal defense of his actions.  His friends could have obviously learned to speak less as well and I think that all involved would have been much wiser.

JOB DEFENDS HIS COMPLAINT: Job admits that his words have been very blunt and that his complaints have been harsh.  However, he points out the fact that he truly has been smitten by the Lord on every level.  He defends his behavior by point out that even the animals will complain when they are in need.  Basically he admits to having spoken harsh words but he excuses them because of his hopeless circumstance.  He reiterates the fact that he has been deeply wounded, his pain is unbearable and that the true desire of his heart is to be able to rest from his pain in death.  He has not more strength to be able to endure the pain, suffering and heartache with which he has been afflicted.  In short Job recognizes that he is complaining but defends himself by pointing out that he is justified in doing so.  We all have this same tendency to justify our sin because of our circumstances.  I will not stand in judgment of Job, but I know that in my own heart I have often tried to excuse sinful words, attitudes and actions based on difficult circumstances.  These excuses do not work with the Lord.

JOB DEFIES HIS COMPANIONS: Job then turns his attention to his friends and accuses them of adding to his grief instead of bringing comfort.  The words that they speak are like arrows in his side and mirages in the desert.  They are causing him pain and great disappointment because he had hoped to find comfort from them instead of condemnation.  He challenges them to teach him something new or reveal to him an area of sin worthy of this judgment from which he could repent.  Once again his challenge is harsh and reveals that there is pride in Job’s heart but he is being honest with his friends about how they are making him feel and the pain that they are adding to his already miserable state.  I think that all involved would have been far better off being silent or directing their words to the Lord in prayer instead of attacking one another.  It is very hard to stay silent when we feel that we have been wrongly accused or suffered an injustice.  However, silence is often the greatest demonstration of wisdom we can make.  Judging and complaining about one another is not the best choice or the wisest course of action.