A desire to be heard - To make a Statement - Not asking Questions

 

Job 15:1-6

 

 “Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:  “Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?  Should he argue in unprofitable talk, or in words with which he can do no good?  But you are doing away with the fear of God^[ and hindering meditation before God.  For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the tongue of the crafty.  Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; your own lips testify against you.”

 

When someone asks a rhetorical question, they are not looking for a reply and in this case, Eliphaz questions were asked in order to create a dramatic effect and to make a point rather than to get an answer.  Eliphaz is implying that Job is full of hot wind, that his defense was empty and self-serving.  He is suggesting that Job does not fear God and such a person cannot have wisdom.

 

This so-called friend has been insulted that Job did not take the counsel of his three friends, and his only conclusion is that Job is guilty of many sins and is doing his best to cover up his miss deeds.

 

Job 15:7-16

 

“Are you the first man who was born?  Or were you brought forth before the hills?
Have you listened in the council of God?  And do you limit wisdom to yourself?  What do you know that we do not know?  What do you understand that is not clear to us?
Both the gray-haired and the aged are among us, older than your father. Are the comforts of God too small for you, or the word that deals gently with you?  Why does your heart carry you away, and why do your eyes flash, that you turn your spirit against God and bring such words out of your mouth? What is man, that he can be pure?  Or he who is born of a woman, that he can be righteous?  Behold, God puts no trust in his holy ones, and the heavens are not pure in his sight; how much less one who is abominable and corrupt, a man who drinks injustice like water!”

 

It may be that Eliphaz is being sarcastic, once more asking questions that he does not expect to be answered.  What I believe is Eliphaz is very prideful and arrogant and came with no knowledge or understanding but may have already made a judgment before he even saw Job sitting in the ashes.  He is implying that if Job’s father was there he would also condemn his actions.

 

He has claimed that Job's own words have shown his anger against God and then Eliphaz tells Job if angels are not trustworthy how much less a man.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice