Chapter 15
Eliphaz speaks again:
4 But you are doing away with the fear of God and hindering meditation before God. [Job 15:4 ESV]
Eliphaz seems to think that Job is a bit too sure that he has not sinned, and that he deserves none of what he is receiving. Eliphaz thinks Job should remember that other people are pretty smart too, and that these other smart people agree that Job must have done something wrong. And I think Eliphaz also has the same question I did above. Is it really ok to say such things about God? Isn't Job afraid that God will still make things worse because if Job hadn't sinned before, isn't his current attitude sin enough?
I like this verse:
9 What do you know that we do not know? What do you understand that is not clear to us? [Job 15:9 ESV]
I think it is going to turn out that Job does indeed know things that these others don't, but at this point, it is hard not to side with Eliphaz.
2024 - Notice that Job began speaking back in Chapter 12, and said this in vs 3: 3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these? [Job 12:3 ESV]. Job continues speaking in Chapter 13 and says this: 2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. [Job 13:2 ESV]. Job's speech ends at the end of Chapter 14, and the reply of Eliphaz begins in 15, and what does Eliphaz do? He throws Job's words right back at him. You say you are as smart as we are, Job, but is it not also true that we are as smart as you? Don't be putting on airs as if you are 50 years older and consequently wiser than we are. At the end of 15:8, Eliphaz says it plainly: "Do you hear the secret counsel of God?", with an implied "of course you don't and we all know it as well as you!"
Here is another good turn of phrase from Eliphaz:
11 Are the comforts of God too small for you, or the word that deals gently with you? [Job 15:9, 11 ESV]
Here again, I tend to agree with Eliphaz. It could always be worse. Be content even with the pain you have and be glad it isn't much worse.
12 Why does your heart carry you away, and why do your eyes flash, 13 that you turn your spirit against God and bring such words out of your mouth? [Job 15:12-13 ESV]
This is how Job's words seem to me also. Such words addressed to the Most High God. Are you nuts, Job???
Behold, God puts no trust in his holy ones, and the heavens are not pure in his sight; how much less one who is abominable and corrupt, a man who drinks injustice like water!
Job 15:15-16 ESV
Here is a verse that nearly states Satan's position in the heavenly argument. Man is even less capable of faithfulness than angels. God is saying Job is more faithful than Lucifer.
Eliphaz describes the life of the unrighteous. He knows his end is coming, he doesn't believe he will return from darkness. He sees no real future for himself. Eliphaz goes on and on about the unrighteous. Apparently so that Job will see himself in the descriptions, and realize that he has been unrighteous in some regard.
No...I think this verse is the point Eliphaz is getting at:
31 Let him not trust in emptiness, deceiving himself, for emptiness will be his payment. [Job 15:31 ESV]
Job wants to go live in Sheol - to hide from God, to be isolated from God - rather than live this life of apparent punishment. Eliphaz is addressing Job's last speech directly. Eliphaz is re-stating that Job's punishment is for a reason, that there is some sin in his life that he will not admit, and that wishing to be "released" into Sheol instead of suffering the just punishment for that sin, is a ridiculous - and improper - wish for the wicked. This is much more int tune with the context I think.