Job has become exasperated with his 3 “interlocutors.” (Defined as: “a person who takes part in a conversation.”) Each of them (Eliphaz and Bildad and Zophar) has now had a “turn” at counseling Job, or accusing him!

Here’s part of what Job says (particularly) to Zophar, but in reality to them all. “Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God. But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value. O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.” Job 13:3-5

Job is about “through” talking to them, that harsh trio of “judges!” He wants, rather, to talk to God (the Almighty) instead! “Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.” The verb “desire” means “to take pleasure in, to delight in,” spelled “chaphetzs” in Hebrew. (Implying the three “friends” are unreasonable!)

Then, bluntly, Job to them: “But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.”

The word “forger” means “to sew up, to glue, to stick!” And “lies” is the common Hebrew noun for “deception, falsehood.” Then “physicians” (in Hebrew “rapha”) means “one who cures, healer.” And really, “no value” means “good for nothing!

Wow!

Next, in so many words, Job yells “SHUT UP!” The King James Version: “O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.” Almost: “The quieter you are, even completely silent … the more wisdom you radiate!” As if Job had just read Proverbs 17:28. “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”

I suppose one can hurt so much, suffer so long … that he might lose his tact!

So … Job is human after all!

I almost have a smile on my face … saying “Way to go, Job!”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Once in 2nd Samuel 24 King David was offered 3 kinds of punishment for a sin he had committed. And David chose the one he felt was most directly from God’s Hand. His decision: “David said unto Gad (the Prophet), I am in a great strait: LET US FALL NOW INTO THE HAND OF THE LORD; FOR HIS MERCIES ARE GREAT: and let me not fall into the hand of man.”

That’s exactly what Job just said in today’s Lesson! “Surely I would speak to the ALMIGHTY, and I desire to reason with GOD. But (because) ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.”

The Bible, what an amazing book!