Author: Conqueror in Training

In this chapter Job describes the wicked – their conduct, their supposed security, and what should happen to them. ” ‘They wrong the barren, childless woman, and do no good to the widow. Yet God prolongs the life of the mighty by his power; they rise up when they despair of life. He gives them…

“Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat! Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him; on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I…

Eliphaz speaks again, and foolishly explains the great extent of Job’s wickedness, followed by a call for Job to repent. We’ll focus on the latter. “Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you. Receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart. If you return to…

Job responds to Zophar’s “the wicked will not prosper” speech (ch20) with his own “the wicked will prosper” speech. Technically, both are correct. “Why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power? Their offspring are established in their presence, and their descendants before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear,…

Zophar speaks again, and focuses on the suffering of the wicked. ” ‘Do you not know this from of old, since man was placed on earth, that the exulting of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment? In the fullness of his sufficiency he will be in distress;…

“Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet…

Bildad speaks again, and emphasizes how the wicked will be punished (he’s probably implying that Job’s circumstances are punishment due to wickedness). ” ‘Indeed, the light of the wicked is put out, and the flame of his fire does not shine. The light is dark in his tent, and his lamp above him is put…

“He has made me a byword of the peoples, and I am one before whom men spit. My eye has grown dim from vexation, and all my members are like a shadow. The upright are appalled at this, and the innocent stirs himself up against the godless. Yet the righteous holds to his way, and…

This chapter has a mixture of elements – Job laments how miserable his friends are at comforting him, and how God has made an enemy of Job. Yet, there are these hopeful verses near the end of the chapter. “O earth, cover not my blood, and let my cry find no resting place. Even now,…