Job 22:1–37:24--The Third Series of Speeches

Text:  Job 22:1–37:24 CSB - Third Series of Speeches Eliphaz Speaks - Bible Gateway
Audio Bible:  ​BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.: Audio

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Job's friends accuse him of taking advantage of the poor, widows, and orphans and being extremely wicked.  If their suppositions has been correct, then their advice to repent would be reasonable, but, they can not fathom that Job is actually blameless and walks before the LORD in righteousness.

Job wonders why so much pain and suffering exists, but he refuses to curse the LORD, though doubt is starting to set in.  Job starts to sound like Solomon in Ecclesiastes--life "under the sun" is vain, without meaning, and full of trouble.  Yet, no man can fully know the hidden things of the LORD and the depths of His wisdom.  Only the LORD can give wisdom to man.  To fear the LORD and obey Him is true wisdom, no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in.  This is where Job steadfastly rests.

Job has had to learn to be content with much and with little.  He used what the LORD gave to him to bless others and to promote both justice and mercy.  Yet, where are these people that he helped now that he is the one who needs help?  They mock and scorn him because he can no longer help them.  If they do anything, they seek to make his pain and suffering worse.  All this, Job could handle if it did not feel like the LORD was against him.

Job gives what he believes is his final statements, but there is one more friend who wants to be heard.  Elihu's arguments are better than those of Job's other three friends, though he still starts off with the assumption that Job cannot be treated like this by the LORD and be innocent.  However, he correctly states that no one can take the LORD to court and demand a hearing or accuse the LORD of being unjust.  As I mentioned before, the LORD does not condemn Elihu's words like he does for Bildad, Eliphaz and Zophar.

Job will not get the chance to respond to Elihu because the LORD is going to step in next time and put an end to this debate and deliver His verdict.  Job will be declared "not guilty" and "righteous" in the eyes of the court of heaven and Job's three friends will be weighed and found wanting.