A congregational study of the Book of Job. By Pastor Jose Luis
Session Eight. Read Job chapters 6 and 7.
Job answers Eliphaz and begins questioning the judgement of his friend. He expected solidarity and compassion not judgement. Job says:
“Those who withhold kindness from a friend forsake the fear of the Almighty.
My companions are treacherous” (6, 14-15) and
“you have now become to me; you see my calamity and are afraid. Have I said, ‘Make me a gift’? Or, ‘From your wealth offer a bribe for me’? Or, ‘Save me from an opponent’s hand’? Or, ‘Ransom me from the hand of oppressors’?” (6, 21-23)
Job compares his idea of God to Eliphaz’s idea. Eliphaz has described God, a God of retribution that is always ready to punish the sinner. That is why he considers that Job is suffering a retribution for his sins.
Job has the idea that God is a friendly and loving God, and his questioning is why a loving God has suddenly allowed all this calamities over him, because he is innocent of sins against God: “I have not denied the words of the Holy One.” 6,10 adding:
“If I sin, what do I do to you, you watcher of humanity? Why have you made me your target? Why have I become a burden to you?” 7, 20
Now that his human friends are accusing him and God is silent, Job thinks that the best for him is to die. 7, 21: “For now I shall lie in the earth; you will seek me, but I shall not be.”
If a friend accuses you of sin saying that your suffering is certainly a punishment from God, and instead of consolation you receive judgement, how do you answer? Like Job, do you feel betrayed to the point that you don’t want to continue living?
Tell me your impressions. pastor@lcostampa.org