Job 16:2 | KingComments | STEP | Although Eliphaz has been much sharper and more rash in his second argument than in his first, nothing of what he said has touched Jobs’ conscience. In Job’s reaction it is striking that he is so absorbed in his relationship with God that everything else comes into the background. This proves the authenticity of his faith: he wants to understand God. When Eliphaz has finished his second speech to Job, Job answers ( ). He says that Eliphaz has told him nothing new ( ). What he has heard, he has heard so many times from his friends. It is nothing more than a repetition of moves. In Eliphaz’s imagination, the words he and his friends have spoken to Job are “consolations from God” ( ). But Job does not have a good word for them and calls them “sorry comforters” (cf. ). Their words to him are “windy words”, exactly the expression Eliphaz used to describe Job’s words ( ). Is their supply of windy, hollow phrases not yet exhausted ( )? They continue to make unfounded accusations. It is better for them to wrap up their words and keep their mouths shut. In this way they only make his suffering heavier instead of lighter. Where do they get their firm answers anyway? Where the real problem lies with him, completely eludes them. Therefore, none of their words hit the mark. The roles should have been reversed ( ). They should be in his position and he in theirs. Would he speak as they do? Would he make lengthy speeches to them in order to convince them of their sins which had brought them into this calamity, as they do with him now? Would he mockingly shake his head over them in their defense, as they do now over him when he defends himself? Job has asked questions about how he would react if the roles were reversed. Those questions are justified. He’s allowed to ask them. It shows that we can only help someone in need if we know something of that need from our own experience or if we first sense and empathize with someone’s situation (cf. ; ; ). The friends are blamed by Job for leaving out everything that has to do with true friendship. They treat Job like a stranger, even though they have known his former life. But now they question this and even express accusations about his present condition. Job goes so far in his defense that he claims that he would certainly behave differently from his friends now if they were in his shoes ( ). He would treat them like a true comforter. This he says to indicate what he misses so much with his friends. He would encourage them with the right words. At the right time he would be able to remain silent to make them feel his pity. Possibly Job reacts a little irritated here. In this sense the Lord Jesus is also esteemed by men “stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted” ( ). But He did not react like Job to the plagues that came upon Him. He ”kept entrusting [Himself] to Him who judges righteously” ( ).

‏ Job 16:2

Introduction

Although Eliphaz has been much sharper and more rash in his second argument than in his first, nothing of what he said has touched Jobs’ conscience. In Job’s reaction it is striking that he is so absorbed in his relationship with God that everything else comes into the background. This proves the authenticity of his faith: he wants to understand God.

Job Blames His Friends for Their Hardness

When Eliphaz has finished his second speech to Job, Job answers (Job 16:1). He says that Eliphaz has told him nothing new (Job 16:2). What he has heard, he has heard so many times from his friends. It is nothing more than a repetition of moves. In Eliphaz’s imagination, the words he and his friends have spoken to Job are “consolations from God” (Job 15:11). But Job does not have a good word for them and calls them “sorry comforters” (cf. Job 13:4).

Their words to him are “windy words”, exactly the expression Eliphaz used to describe Job’s words (Job 15:2). Is their supply of windy, hollow phrases not yet exhausted (Job 16:3)? They continue to make unfounded accusations. It is better for them to wrap up their words and keep their mouths shut. In this way they only make his suffering heavier instead of lighter. Where do they get their firm answers anyway? Where the real problem lies with him, completely eludes them. Therefore, none of their words hit the mark.

The roles should have been reversed (Job 16:4). They should be in his position and he in theirs. Would he speak as they do? Would he make lengthy speeches to them in order to convince them of their sins which had brought them into this calamity, as they do with him now? Would he mockingly shake his head over them in their defense, as they do now over him when he defends himself?

Job has asked questions about how he would react if the roles were reversed. Those questions are justified. He’s allowed to ask them. It shows that we can only help someone in need if we know something of that need from our own experience or if we first sense and empathize with someone’s situation (cf. Heb 13:3; Mt 8:17; 2Cor 1:3-7).

The friends are blamed by Job for leaving out everything that has to do with true friendship. They treat Job like a stranger, even though they have known his former life. But now they question this and even express accusations about his present condition.

Job goes so far in his defense that he claims that he would certainly behave differently from his friends now if they were in his shoes (Job 16:5). He would treat them like a true comforter. This he says to indicate what he misses so much with his friends. He would encourage them with the right words. At the right time he would be able to remain silent to make them feel his pity.

Possibly Job reacts a little irritated here. In this sense the Lord Jesus is also esteemed by men “stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted” (Isa 53:4). But He did not react like Job to the plagues that came upon Him. He ”kept entrusting [Himself] to Him who judges righteously” (1Pet 2:23b).