Archive for November 2022

Daniel 10-12, Job 22, John 13:31-38, Jude 17-25 Job 22: Eliphaz comes back to Job with a more blatant attempt to accuse of Job of wrongdoing. So far Job has consistently rebutted the charges that the reason why he is suffering is that he has done wrong. So Eliphaz ramps up the pressure by specifying what—he imagines—are…

Daniel 9, Job 21:22-34, John 13:18-30, Jude 8-16 Job 21:22-34: As Job continues his reply to the accusations of his so-called “comforters,” he lands on a line of argument that is hard to refute. First, he lets it be known that we cannot lecture God about the rights and wrongs of what he does or does not…

Daniel 7-8, Job 21:1-21, John 13:12-17, Jude 1-7 Job 21:1-21: Job’s reply is especially devastating to his so-called “comforters.” They have argued that the reason why Job is suffering is because he has done something to deserve such suffering. To prove their case, they have argued that the wicked receive their comeuppance from God. What can Job do to answer…

Daniel 5-6, Job 20, John 13:1-11, 3 John 1-14 Job 20: Now it is Zophar’s turn at the pump. Job has once again replied to his accusers: he is not guilty. The reason he is suffering is not because he has done something wrong. But Zophar comes at him now to increase the pressure on Job. Why…

Daniel 3-4, Job 19, John 12:37-40, 2 John 1-13 Job 19: Job now replies to Bildad, though his reply is also in general to the mounting accusations from all his so-called “comforters.” Job’s point in this reply begins with the logical proposition that even if he were at fault, it would not be their role to find him guilty. “If…

Daniel 1-2, Job 18, John 12:20-36, 1 John 5:13-21 Job 18: Bildad now returns with further rebukes for Job. The theme is still the same: Job has done wrong that is why he is suffering. This time, though, Bildad simply begins with a note of aspiration: “When will you end these speeches? Be sensible, and then we can talk.…

Ezekiel 48, Job 17, John 12:12-19, 1 John 5:6-12 Job 17: Oh the sadness! Job continues with his lament. What can we say about these words that wrench the soul and speak of the ruin of the hope of man? Here is Job: he was doing so well, and then he was cut down. His beloved are dead. His…

Ezekiel 45-47, Job 16, John 12:1-11, 1 John 5:1-5 Job 16: You sense that Job’s frustration with his so-called “comforters” is only growing. He has heard one lecture after another—one lengthy lecture after another. Over and over again, so far, they have been accusing him of being in the wrong. They have told him in no uncertain terms that…

Ezekiel 42-44, Job 15:17-35, John 11:45-57, 1 John 4:7-21 Job 15:17-35: Eliaphaz continues with his firm rebuttal to Job’s sensitive complaint. Job is suffering deeply. Extraordinarily. And in his suffering, he is surrounded by the famous “Job’s comforters” who give not just poor advice but make his situation worse by attempting to shame into feeling guilty: The reason why…

Ezekiel 40-41, Job 15:1-16, John 11:38-44, 1 John 4:1-6 Job 15:1-16: Job’s rebuttal of the previous “comforters” prompts Eliphaz to coming storming back and rebuke Job in even stronger terms. “…you even undermine piety and hinder devotion to God. Your sin prompts your mouth; you adopt the tongue of the crafty” (15:4-5). What Job had done so wrong, according to…