Posts by Josh Moody

Ezekiel 31-32, Job 11, John 10:11-21, 1 John 2:24-29   Job 11:   Now comes Zophar. We have just seen Bildad, the second of “Job’s comforters.” Bildad had argued that Job had done something wrong; otherwise, why would the good God have caused Job to suffer as he was suffering? Job had replied that though he was a sinner in…

Ezekiel 29-30, Job 10, John 10:1-10, 1 John 2:18-23   Job 10:   Job finishes his reply to Bildad on a note of deep depression and raw despair. Remember that Bildad, one of “Job’s comforters,” has been offering Job comfort in his suffering. This comfort has been anything but helpful; indeed, his counsel has been quite damaging. Job has replied…

Ezekiel 27-28, Job 9:21-35, John 9:26-41, 1 John 2:12-17   Job 9:21-35:  Job continues his reply to Bildad. Bildad has advised Job that he is suffering because Job has done something wrong. What other conclusion could there be, Bildad thinks. After all, God is holy. Job is suffering. Therefore, Job must have done something to deserve the suffering that…

Ezekiel 24-26, Job 9:1-20, John 9:13-25, 1 John 2:1-11   Job 9:1-20:  Bildad has been lecturing Job. Finding Job in great suffering, Bildad and Job’s other “comforters” first do the right thing by merely listening. But then one by one they go on the verbal offensive and criticize Job for his attitude towards his suffering. According to Bildad, Job…

Ezekiel 22-23, Job 8, John 9:1-12, 1 John 1   Job 8:   Bildad now takes his turn to speak, and immediately begins by rebuking Job. The way Job has been speaking has, in Bildad’s view, discredited God. “How long will you say such things? Your words are a blustering wind? Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what…

Ezekiel 20-21, Job 7, John 8:48-59, 2 Peter 3:10-18   Job 7:   Job continues in his response to Eliphaz’s words in chapter 5. First, he has argued that Eliphaz is not much of a friend for accusing Job of having done something wrong to deserve his suffering. Now Job turns his attention from Eliphaz to God. There are some…

Ezekiel 17-19, Job 6, John 8:31-47, 2 Peter 3:1-9   Job 6:   Job’s reply to Eliphaz’s uncomforting words are a lesson in what people who are experiencing unjust suffering often feel—even if they cannot give their feelings such eloquent voice as does Job. Job begins by outlining the length and breadth, height and depth, of his misery. He describes it…

Ezekiel 16, Job 5, John 8:21-30, 2 Peter 2:17-22   Job 5: Eliphaz continues giving advice to Job. Basically, while in chapter 4 he argued that because God is holy and none of us is perfect, Job must have done something wrong to deserve what he got, now in chapter 5 he takes a different tack. He builds upon what…

Ezekiel 13-15, Job 4, John 8:12-20, 2 Peter 2:10-16 Job 4: “Job’s comforters” now begin to be introduced. They are infamous for their poor counsel, their insensitive treatment of Job in his suffering, and their self-righteous accusation of Job as having deserved what he got. Yet, when you actually read what they say, you can’t help but think…

Ezekiel 9-12, Job 3, John 8:1-11, 2 Peter 2:1-9   Job 3:   Job is a righteous man, but he is by no means unrealistic. He has been through an unconscionable degree of suffering. Job does not pretend. He does not put on a brave face and fake it. In this chapter 3, he pours out his feelings, the real…