In Job chapters 16 and 17 our little “hero” answers the barbs of his acquaintance Eliphaz. One passage is especially poignant. After dozens of “insults” from the trio sitting in front of Job … he counters:

“I have heard many such things: MISERABLE COMFORTERS are ye all.” Job 16:2, in other words: “I’ve about heard enough of this sarcasm and denunciation! If you have come to comfort me … you have totally failed!”

Job is merely being honest!

Then, in an almost Christ-like way, Job “loves” the “unlovely,” in my opinion anyway. Here he puts himself in their shoes, so to speak! “I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. But (instead) I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.” Job 16:4-5

Instead of “heaping up words” of scorn and “shaking his head” in disbelief … Job would have “strengthened” these men (in their times of suffering) and “asswaged” their heartaches. Job would have tried to “bear” their burdens! To lighten their load!

This speaks volumes about the Servant of the Lord we call Job!

Then again Job assesses his friends’ counsel like this: “They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me. God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.” Wow, Job 16:10-11, spoken only after “round two” of a barrage of verbal assault has begun! Yes, this is Eliphaz’s second attack on Job, a false assessment indeed. Job just called them “ungodly” and “wicked!” (By the way, these words Job just spoke sound a lot like Jesus’ mistreatment during His Trial and Death … gaped upon with dirty mouths, smitten upon the cheek, a confederacy gathered against Him, delivering Him unto wicked men!)

What Scripture we’re viewing today, so understudied, neglected, to our impoverishment!

Then … Job takes a higher view yet (in some ways) of his detractors. He speaks to God about Eliphaz and Bildad and Zophar. “For thou (Lord) hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou (Lord) not exalt them.” Job 17:4, a little prophecy later fulfilled when God actually rebuked this judgmental threesome! (God to them at the end of the Book: “Ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.” Job 42:8)

Wow!

Then one more parting “shot,” Job to his “Buddy” Eliphaz, really to them all: “I cannot find one wise man among you.” Job 17:10, remember that Job is nearly always characterized a “Wisdom Book” in the Old Testament. (“You fellows aren’t so smart, after all!)

And still, within the context of all this banter, all these accusations … Job is still suffering!

He is now “filled with wrinkles,” prematurely apparently. Job 16:8

His “face is foul with weeping.” Job 16:16, by the way, the word “foul” is once translated “red” in the King James Version, Job crying incessantly.

Furthermore, Job laments: “On my eyelids is the shadow of death.” Maybe from lack of sleep too, Job 16:16

Then in Job 17:1 we read: “My breath is corrupt (offensive), my days are extinct (put out, gone), the graves (as if dying a thousands deaths) are ready for me.” Graphic!

And Job is hurting too because of his lost reputation! God has: “made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.” Once I was their “song,” now I am their “curse,” their very “joke!” Job 17:6

Job, now at one of his lowest points, nearly losing his hope! “I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister. And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?” Job 17:14-15

Do notice the “ups” and “downs” of Job throughout these two chapters. In fact, throughout the whole book! Every major Bible character had them. We are all human. “Mountains” and “valleys,” at least “hills” and “valleys!”

Yet in the midst of these two “dark” chapters, I find this “light!” Job still knows he has done no wrong, nothing major, no unconfessed sin, AND ALMIGHTY GOD KNOWS SO AS WELL!

Job hurting? Yes … “But not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.” Job 16:17

Then almost immediately: “Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.” Job 16:19, Job taking his “case” to a higher Court!

He valiantly maintains his “integrity,” his “loyalty” to Almighty God, “on high!”

Look at the next verse, Job 16:20. “My friends scorn (mock) me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.” This is a virtual Hebrews 12:2, clothed in Old Testament vernacular. (King James Version: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” Our Lord Jesus, another “innocent sufferer!”)

I close the Lesson today “amazed!”

Job, perhaps the greatest example of faith in all the Old Testament!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

I am beginning to think “Job” is the “Paul” of the Old Testament, folks!

Really!