Bible Commentaries
Job 6

John Brown

Job 6-7

Job's Answer to Eliphaz

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Last week we took a look at Eliphaz' speech to Job.

1. Eliphaz based the authority for what he said to Job upon the visitation of an angel.

2. But, we also concluded that since later in the book, the Lord rebukes the counsel given by Job's friends that this was not a Holy visitation.

a) And like the one whom sent him, this fallen angel counseled Job with a mixture of truth and lies.

b) His main point was that Job must be hiding some deep dark sin or he wouldn't be going through this pain.

(1) Because after all, Eliphaz concludes, "the Lord doesn't allow the righteous to suffer!"

(2) However, we have the Lord's word that Job is a righteous man that loved the Lord and hatred evil.

(a) We shouldn't in any way take this to mean that Job was not a sinner like the rest of us!

(b) What it does mean is that although a sinner like all men, Job loved the Lord enough to provide the necessary sacrifices to atone for his sins.

(i) He took care of his sins the way the Lord prescribed, and stayed close to Him!

(ii) Yet, his "friend" Eliphaz has accused him of being a deceitful sinner, deserving of what he is going through.

The following story appeared in the newsletter OUR AMERICA; "Dodie Gadient, a schoolteacher for thirteen years, decided to travel across America and see the sights she had taught about. Traveling alone in a truck with camper in tow, she launched out. One afternoon rounding a curve on I-5 near Sacramento in rush-hour traffic, a water pump blew on her truck. She was tired, exasperated, scared, and alone. In spite of the traffic jam she caused, no one seemed interested in helping. "Leaning up against the Trailer, she prayed, 'Please God, send me an angel . . . preferably one with mechanical experience.' Within four minutes, a huge Harley drove up, ridden by an enormous man sporting long, black hair, a beard and tattooed arms. With an incredible air of confidence, he jumped off and, without even glancing at Dodie, went to work on the truck. Within another few minutes, he flagged down a larger truck, attached a tow chain to the frame of the disabled Chevy, and whisked the whole 56-foot rig off the freeway onto a side street, where he calmly continued to work on the water pump. "The intimidated schoolteacher was too dumbfounded to talk. Especially when she read the paralyzing words on the back of his leather jacket: 'Hell's Angels -- California'. As he finished the task, she finally got up the courage to say, 'Thanks so much,' and carry on a brief conversation. Noticing her surprise at the whole ordeal, he looked her straight in the eye and mumbled, 'Don't judge a book by its cover. You may not know who you're talking to.' With that, he smiled, closed the hood of the truck, and straddled his Harley. With a wave, he was gone as fast as he had appeared."

B. This morning we will be studying Job's response to Eliphaz' accusations in Chapters 6 and 7.

II. TEXT

A. Job_6:1 (NKJV) Then Job answered and said:

Job_6:2 "Oh, that my grief were fully weighed, And my calamity laid with it on the scales!

Job_6:3 For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea--Therefore my words have been rash.

Job_6:4 For the arrows of the Almighty [are] within me; My spirit drinks in their poison; The terrors of God are arrayed against me.

1. Job is saying, "You have come to a quick conclusion, but you haven't considered the weight and measure of my pain."

a) "What I am going through is almost more than any human can bear, but instead of having any kind of pity or compassion upon me, you just judge me for my rash words!"

B. Job_6:5 (NKJV) Does the wild donkey bray when it has grass, Or does the ox low over its fodder?

Job_6:6 Can flavorless food be eaten without salt? Or is there [any] taste in the white of an egg?

Job_6:7 My soul refuses to touch them; They [are] as loathsome food to me.

1. I believe it was Shakespeare that said, "If you prick me do I not bleed?"

a) "Can't you at least understand that this pain has made me a little irrational!"

(1) "This attitude I have is not without cause, look at my life!"

b) And he illustrates that point by saying if the donkey or the oxen are eating, there is no need for them to cry out for food!

(1) They only do that when they are hungry.

(2) And it seems like even the mention of food make Job sick.

C. Job_6:8 (NKJV) "Oh, that I might have my request, That God would grant [me] the thing that I long for!

Job_6:9 That it would please God to crush me, That He would loose His hand and cut me off!

Job_6:10 Then I would still have comfort; Though in anguish, I would exult, He will not spare; For I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.

1. Again, Job's death wish.

D. Job_6:11 (NKJV) "What strength do I have, that I should hope? And what [is] my end, that I should prolong my life?

Job_6:12 [Is] my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh bronze?

Job_6:13 [Is] my help not within me? And is success driven from me?.

1. "I am tired and weary and have nothing to live for."

2. "I am not made of stone or bronze, I am only a human being, and I can't take it any more."

E. Job_6:14 "To him who is afflicted, kindness [should] [be] [shown] by his friend, Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

1. "Eliphaz, as my friend you should have pity and compassion upon me, even if I have lost sight of the Lord in all of this, but you don't!"

a) How many times a Christians do we judge instead of pointing a hurting person back to the Lord?

F. Job_6:15 (NKJV) My brothers have dealt deceitfully like a brook, Like the streams of the brooks that pass away,

Job_6:16 Which are dark because of the ice, [And] into which the snow vanishes.

Job_6:17 When it is warm, they cease to flow; When it is hot, they vanish from their place.

Job_6:18 The paths of their way turn aside, They go nowhere and perish.

Job_6:19 The caravans of Tema look, The travelers of Sheba hope for them.

Job_6:20 They are disappointed because they were confident; They come there and are confused.

1. "As my `brothers' I expected you guys to be `refreshing' to my tormented soul!"

2. "But, you guys are like water that is frozen in the winter and dries up in the summer heat."

a) "Thirsting Caravans come looking for a drink but there is no water with which to refresh themselves."

b) Job_6:20 They are disappointed because they were confident; They come there and are confused.

G. Job_6:21 (NKJV) For now you are nothing, You see terror and are afraid.

Job_6:22 Did I ever say, `Bring [something] to me'? Or, `Offer a bribe for me from your wealth'?

Job_6:23 Or, `Deliver me from the enemy's hand'? Or, `Redeem me from the hand of oppressors'?

1. "Right now you guy are like those streams and brooks, you are worthless to me."

2. "I have never asked anything from any of you, but right now I need your wisdom and compassion."

H. Job_6:24 (NKJV) "Teach me, and I will hold my tongue; Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

Job_6:25 How forceful are right words! But what does your arguing prove?

Job_6:26 Do you intend to rebuke [my] words, And the speeches of a desperate one, [which] [are] as wind?

Job_6:27 Yes, you overwhelm the fatherless, And you undermine your friend.

Job_6:28 Now therefore, be pleased to look at me; For I would never lie to your face.

Job_6:29 Yield now, let there be no injustice! Yes, concede, my righteousness still stands!

Job_6:30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern the unsavory?

1. In other words, "Give me something helpful that I can use.""I am willing to listen to Godly counsel."

a) "All you do is rebuke me for my desperate words and cut me down.Is that friendship?"

b) Then he says, "Look at me!'"I wouldn't lie to you." "I am not concealing anything from you or the Lord."

c) "MY RIGHTEOUSNESS STILL STANDS!"

(1) And then he reminds them, that he is sick not stupid!He has enough intelligence to determine injustice and the "unsavory" attitude of his friends.