“Are God’s consolations not enough…” Job 15:11a
/After charging Job with craftiness, Eliphaz continues to barrage Job with a rapid-fire series of six questions:
“Are you the first man ever born?” (v.7a)
“Were you brought forth before the hills?” (v.7b)
“Do you listen in on God’s council?” (v.8a)
“Do you limit wisdom to yourself?” (v.8b)
“What do you know that we do not know?” (v.9a)
“What insights do you have that we do not have?” (v.9b)
Eliphaz had moved from insult to injury. His sarcasm can be easily seen; not only in the quick succession of his interrogation, but also in the ridiculousness of his first three questions. The last three questions were similar to those posed by Job to his friends in an earlier exchange (read 12:1-3; 13:2).
Not satisfied with giving Job impossible questions to answer, Eliphaz then turned to claiming all the elders were on the side of Job’s friends – men even older than Job’s father (v.10). Unlike today, the elders in Job’s lifetime were revered and heard with respect. I’ve always wondered where Job’s father was during all this. Surely, he was aware of the loss of his grandchildren and the miserable plight of his son. Why did he not come to his son’s defense? I guess we will never know this side of heaven.
When one begins to define who is on who’s side, the argument has moved far from civil discourse and into a bullying position. We must remember that Job had certainly been one of the most influential and powerful members of his community, based upon his previous wealth. So, he was surely a force to be reckoned with, and his friends must have agreed to confront Job with as much fire-power as possible; basically, kicking him while he was down.
Then Eliphaz moved into manipulating Job’s conscience, saying:
“Are God’s consolations not enough for you, words spoken gently to you?” (v.11)
Job’s friends considered themselves to be doing The Lord’s work, attesting their words to have been spoken gently. Often words spoken quietly can be the most bruising, especially when coming from those one may consider allies or friends. It is a most difficult thing to sit and be verbally attacked through mouths which had been known to be filled with laughter, encouragement and kindness… and the attack can be executed quite calmly by those who think quite highly of themselves and their positions.
How is this speaking to us today? In my experience, Christians can be the kindest and most benevolent people on earth. Though I’ve also experienced those within a church who have acted from self-serving positions of power, and like Job’s friends, brought hurt to those in their wake. Which would God find you to be?
Let us pray to be shaped into the pattern of God’s Son, Who, though He knew no sin, was mocked, scourged, beaten and crucified for the sins of man.
Have a blessed day…