Job Chapter 16
Please read: Job 16 –
Job’s friends had called his speeches as being full of wind and now he says the very same thing of their speeches. He finally addresses their attitude towards him. They had not been very good friends to him, and he said it would have been better if they had kept quiet. A sentiment that I think we can agree with. Their attitudes and opinions are only adding to the misery that he is experiencing. They certainly were not comforting him. They are so full of themselves thinking that they are full of great wisdom that they cannot even comfort their friend properly.
As we read further in the book, I believe that Job was a man who always prayed out loud to God even when he was alone. Even in the presence of his friends, he had no qualms about talking to God aloud. And I think that his relationship with God was so strong that he knew that his complaints to God would be accepted. Job was comfortable enough with God to let Him know that he felt as if God were attacking him and he didn’t understand why. He knew that God is big enough to be able to hear his complaints.
Let's Reflect
1. According to verse 5 how did Job say he would use his words towards one of his friends if they were experiencing great troubles?
2. In verses 6-10 Job describes the agony that he is in. What is something you read that describes his agony?
3. Beginning in verses 10 and 11 Job describes the added agony he suffers from his friends. He said it was as if they had slapped him across the face. He also said another statement about his friends. It was as if what type of people had come to assault him with their words?
4. Verses 10-16 is a continuation of the suffering of Job. Who does he blame for his suffering?
5. Verse 17 shows his lack of comprehension for it all. What does he say about himself?
6. In the last 5 verses of the chapter, it seems that Job has an understanding of the Godhead, that there is more than just God the Father. He asks God to represent Job, to act as mediator for him to God. Wow. Job says his friends scorn him and he is crying tears before God asking Him to do what?
“What strange language is this from him who elsewhere calleth God his salvation, his redeemer, Job 13:15, 16, 18, 19:25, and will by-and-by call him his witness in heaven, to whom his eye poureth out tears!” [Trapp]
