BibleProject | One Story That Leads to Jesusಮಾದರಿ

Job and his friends’ theological conflict remains unresolved at the end of round one. Today begins round two. No one holds back.

Eliphaz, offended by Job’s harsh responses, attempts a more blunt approach. Who does Job think he is? Job talks like he’s the only one with wisdom, but he’s full of hot air. Everyone knows that those who rage against God will be swallowed up by flame and darkness. But is Job raging against God here? Or is he asking good questions?

Recall from Genesis 32:22-30 that the name “Israel” means “wrestles with God.” God gives the name to Jacob after Jacob “fought” with him and prevailed. The very identity of God’s people concerns honestly wrestling with life’s most challenging questions rather than assuming simplistic, religious-sounding answers.

Bildad snaps at Job: Why do you talk to us like we’re dumb cows? Don’t you know what happens to the wicked? Fire devours their homes. Fear hounds their steps. Disaster peels the skin off their bodies and gnaws on their bones. Obviously.

Bildad never identifies Job with the wicked in his grisly speech, but the implicit warning is clear: Watch your mouth, Job. You’re sounding pretty wicked.

Job’s response to both men remains the same. God has torn my life to shreds and returned me to dust for no apparent reason. Then you guys, my so-called “friends,” start lecturing and scolding me for causing my own oozing sores and blaming me for the death of my entire family?

The friends’ words aren’t only misguided or insensitive, they inflict harm. Even when the friends make legitimate points, their lack of comprehensive wisdom and spectacularly selfish timing make their words worse than useless.

Well-meaning words spoken at the wrong time cause more harm than good. Wisdom requires more than simple truths out of context. Wisdom invites careful conversation at some times and patient, humble listening at others. Watch the video to learn from Jesus how to speak wisely and when to stay silent.

Reflection Questions

• Take a moment to review the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:1-12. What role does Abel’s innocent blood play in that story? How does this help you understand Job’s comments about his own blood in Job 16:18-21?
• Jesus advises people not to cast “pearls in front of pigs.” How would you describe the wisdom he’s communicating through that metaphor?