A miserable comforter, a devastated man
Text Job 15-17 Time 18/06/00 Place Childs Hill Baptist Church
I was reading recently about a primary school teacher who found some of her pupils prone to repeating the same phrase over and over again. ‘You sound like a broken record’ she said. Of course, such young children didn’t know what she was talking about having never seen those round black vinyl things that were so popular when I was a boy. If one of these was damaged somehow, it could make the needle on the record player stick so that the same phrase was repeated again and again until you nudged the playing arm. In these days of CDs, Minidiscs and MP3s, etc, such things have to be explained but we all know what repetition is. As we come to the second round of the three rounds of speeches from Job’s 3 friends we get plenty of repetition. They do sound like broken records and really say nothing new.
‘So’ you say ‘why bother to look at it? Let’s skip to the end.’ Well, there are several objections to that.
1. All Scripture is God breathed ….
I was reading recently about a primary school teacher who found some of her pupils prone to repeating the same phrase over and over again. ‘You sound like a broken record’ she said. Of course, such young children didn’t know what she was talking about having never seen those round black vinyl things that were so popular when I was a boy. If one of these was damaged somehow, it could make the needle on the record player stick so that the same phrase was repeated again and again until you nudged the playing arm. In these days of CDs, Minidiscs and MP3s, etc, such things have to be explained but we all know what repetition is. As we come to the second round of the three rounds of speeches from Job’s 3 friends we get plenty of repetition. They do sound like broken records and really say nothing new.
‘So’ you say ‘why bother to look at it? Let’s skip to the end.’ Well, there are several objections to that.
1. All Scripture is God breathed ….
2. Repetition is good for us. It drives lessons home.
3. Studying these chapters helps us to sympathise with Job who had to listen to it all again and gives insight into the reality of suffering and trouble. It is not over in a moment.
4. There are further lessons to be learned in the friends attacks and Job’s replies. For although there is much repetition here, there are changes. Sadly, they are not changes for the better. The arguments are more intolerant, less friendly and more fierce. They seem to have given up on the idea of getting Job to repent too. They increasingly insult him. As one writer puts it ‘Their words, which should have been chosen carefully in order to fall like smoothly like salve for the soul, became arrows of acrimony and spears of bitterness, injecting a maddening poison.’
1. Lessons from a miserable comforter
1. General lessons
3. Studying these chapters helps us to sympathise with Job who had to listen to it all again and gives insight into the reality of suffering and trouble. It is not over in a moment.
4. There are further lessons to be learned in the friends attacks and Job’s replies. For although there is much repetition here, there are changes. Sadly, they are not changes for the better. The arguments are more intolerant, less friendly and more fierce. They seem to have given up on the idea of getting Job to repent too. They increasingly insult him. As one writer puts it ‘Their words, which should have been chosen carefully in order to fall like smoothly like salve for the soul, became arrows of acrimony and spears of bitterness, injecting a maddening poison.’
1. Lessons from a miserable comforter
1. General lessons
In general, we can say a number of things arising from the speech of this miserable comforter Eliphaz. The lessons here apply again to counselling. By counselling I do not mean simply formal counselling but whenever we speak to others to lead them to God – as in preaching, evangelism, sharing, giving advice, as well as more formal counselling situations.
1 Simply repeating arguments does no good
1 Simply repeating arguments does no good
There is nothing new here from Eliphaz. Why he thought simply repeating the same arguments could make a difference we do not know. Certainly, if there is misunderstanding or a failure to hear, repetition is good but it is clear that Job understands exactly what his friends are saying. He simply disagrees. Mere repetition is not going to change his mind. If we are going to repeat things we need to develop and amplify our arguments. Otherwise we are wasting our time.
2 Taking offence when advice is rejected does no good
2 Taking offence when advice is rejected does no good
Eliphaz’s annoyance with Job’s rejection of his ideas is apparent. We must not be personally offended when our ideas are rejected. If our ideas are from God he will vindicate himself regardless of us. If our arguments are man made, as here, better that they perish. If you read Paul’s letters you will see how he often defends the truth. When it affects the gospel he is willing to defend himself even but he does not take offence. Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5).
3 Forgetting that you are there to comfort does no good
3 Forgetting that you are there to comfort does no good
It is essential that we remember what we are doing when we counsel those who are in trouble or in need. We are aiming to console them, to comfort them, to help them, not merely to win arguments. Better to lose the argument and be a genuine blessing to them than to win the argument but destroy that person. There is a place for rebuke in counselling but never forget the purpose of counselling – to help the person!
4 Insulting those you are trying to help does no good
4 Insulting those you are trying to help does no good
It is very tempting to turn on a person and let him know what we think of him sometimes but Jesus warns us that to call someone a fool is to court judgement from God. Insults are never right and do no good. Better say nothing than to be insulting. This is especially so when we are counselling. Once we start insulting those we are trying to help we have definitely gone wrong. We will get nowhere by that route.
5 Refusal to change your theological position does no good
5 Refusal to change your theological position does no good
Obviously, we should take great care about this but it is important to at least be willing to change. In Cromwell’s famous words we want to say to Eliphaz and men like him ‘We beseech you in the bowels of Christ to consider that you may be wrong’. You may be wrong. If only Eliphaz and the others had at least been open to the possibility that they may have been wrong. We must hold our convictions deeply and firmly. It is no good flitting from one view to the next. However, even deeply held convictions can be wrong. We must reckon with that possibility.
2. Take care how you rebuke …
2. Take care how you rebuke …
Here in 15:1-16 this miserable comforter Eliphaz makes a series of rebukes. They are badly done and Job does not deserve them. They stand as a warning to us.
1 Take care how you rebuke irreverence
1 Take care how you rebuke irreverence
Eliphaz accuses Job of undermining (4) piety and hindering devotion to God. According to Eliphaz, Job’s very words condemn him; his own lips testify against him. Because he has sinned he has craftily defended himself like a fool with empty notions and hot east wind, useless words and speeches that have no value. In quite what way Job has shown irreverence is unclear. It seems that what Eliphaz is concerned about is not really irreverence towards God but irreverence towards himself – a not uncommon confusion. We need to be very clear which is which before we rebuke anyone for irreverence. Just because we are Christians and somebody disagrees with us does not make them irreverent.
2 Take care how you rebuke pride
2 Take care how you rebuke pride
Next comes a barrage of questions putting Job in his place (7-9) Are you the first man ever born? Were you brought forth before the hills? Do you listen in on God’s council? Do you limit wisdom to yourself? What do you know that we do not know? What insights do you have that we do not have? He then takes up Bildad’s argument from tradition (10) The grey-haired and the aged are on our side, men even older than your father. How dare Job proudly oppose such authorities! However, this accusation of pride is very much the pot calling the kettle black. Eliphaz himself seems much prouder than Job. Job did say he knew what his friends knew but he did not claim to know everything they knew and he certainly never claimed to have a hotline to God. When you point the finger, remember that four point back at you and we must take care especially when it comes to the matter of pride.
3 Take care how you rebuke foolishness
3 Take care how you rebuke foolishness
Eliphaz goes on to rubbish Job’s supposed claims to wisdom. In verse 11 he asks Are God’s consolations not enough for you, words spoken gently to you? Isn’t it enough, Job, that God has been as kind to you as he has and we have spoken to you so gently? But your heart has carried you away and you have been angry against God pouring out such words from your mouth. ‘You’ve let your emotions get the better of you, Job. You’re not thinking straight.’ Then he goes back to his earlier argument What is man, that he could be pure, or one born of woman, that he could be righteous? If God places no trust in his holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes, how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks up evil like water! What a fool Job is not to see what must be happening – God is punishing him for sin. But we know that is not why Job is suffering and it is Eliphaz who is the fool! Whenever we dare to call someone else fool we do well to consider our own foolishness before we fly off the handle.
4 Take care how you rebuke wickedness
4 Take care how you rebuke wickedness
In the second half of his speech Eliphaz launches out on a tirade against the wicked and how God will judge them. He emphasises the inner turmoil for the man with a guilty conscience. He bases his argument on two authorities. Dangerous grounds on which to build a theology.
Experience (as before) let me tell you what I have seen.
Tradition (Bildad’s argument) what wise men have declared, hiding nothing received from their fathers.
Experience (as before) let me tell you what I have seen.
Tradition (Bildad’s argument) what wise men have declared, hiding nothing received from their fathers.
Having said that, there is not very much wrong with what he says. The problem is the implication – that Job is such a wicked, ruthless man and unless he repents he will get what’s coming. Eliphaz’s words are cruel and thoughtless. He certainly is a miserable comforter.
Of the wicked man he says - All his days the wicked man suffers torment, through all the years stored up for him. Terrifying sounds fill his ears; when all seems well, marauders attack him. He despairs of escaping the darkness; he is marked for the sword. He wanders about - food for vultures; he knows the day of darkness is at hand. Distress and anguish fill him with terror; they overwhelm him, like a king poised to attack … he will inhabit ruined towns and houses where no-one lives, houses crumbling to rubble. … He will no longer be rich and his wealth will not endure, nor will his possessions spread over the land. He will not escape the darkness; a flame will wither his shoots, and the breath of God's mouth will carry him away.
Why? Because he shakes his fist at God and vaunts himself against the Almighty, defiantly charging against him with a thick, strong shield. … his face is covered with fat and his waist bulges with flesh.
He also trusts in what is worthless but Eliphaz goes on (31ff) Let him not deceive himself by trusting what is worthless, for he will get nothing in return. Before his time he will be paid in full, and his branches will not flourish. He will be like a vine stripped of its unripe grapes, like an olive tree shedding its blossoms. For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of those who love bribes.
Why? They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb fashions deceit.
When we apply such truths about the wicked to those who are innocent we err greatly and can do great harm.
2. Lessons from a devastated man
1. What a devastated man needs to hear
Of the wicked man he says - All his days the wicked man suffers torment, through all the years stored up for him. Terrifying sounds fill his ears; when all seems well, marauders attack him. He despairs of escaping the darkness; he is marked for the sword. He wanders about - food for vultures; he knows the day of darkness is at hand. Distress and anguish fill him with terror; they overwhelm him, like a king poised to attack … he will inhabit ruined towns and houses where no-one lives, houses crumbling to rubble. … He will no longer be rich and his wealth will not endure, nor will his possessions spread over the land. He will not escape the darkness; a flame will wither his shoots, and the breath of God's mouth will carry him away.
Why? Because he shakes his fist at God and vaunts himself against the Almighty, defiantly charging against him with a thick, strong shield. … his face is covered with fat and his waist bulges with flesh.
He also trusts in what is worthless but Eliphaz goes on (31ff) Let him not deceive himself by trusting what is worthless, for he will get nothing in return. Before his time he will be paid in full, and his branches will not flourish. He will be like a vine stripped of its unripe grapes, like an olive tree shedding its blossoms. For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of those who love bribes.
Why? They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb fashions deceit.
When we apply such truths about the wicked to those who are innocent we err greatly and can do great harm.
2. Lessons from a devastated man
1. What a devastated man needs to hear
The first thing we gain from Job here is a fresh insight into what those who suffer really need.
1 What they do not need to hear
Endless repetition
1 What they do not need to hear
Endless repetition
Verse 2 I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all! ‘You’re just repeating yourself, Eliphaz’ says Job ‘I’ve heard this all before.’ As we have said the last thing people who are in trouble need is us endlessly repeating things that haven’t helped them the first time.
Long winded speeches and arguing
Long winded speeches and arguing
Verse 3 Will your long-winded speeches never end? What ails you that you keep on arguing? Similarly, long sessions of preaching or lecturing are not going to do the trick either.
Fine speeches and shaking of heads
Fine speeches and shaking of heads
Verse 4 I also could speak like you, if you were in my place he says, I could make fine speeches against you and shake my head at you. But Job sees that all this tut tutting and headshaking is doing him no good. We must see it too.
2 What they do need to hear
2 What they do need to hear
Job says that if he was in their position (verse 5) My mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief. Encouragement and comfort – that was what he needed. We have made the point already but it is worth underlining again. A lesson for preachers and for all counsellors.
2. The character of the devastated man
2. The character of the devastated man
There is no pompousness with Job though. No sooner has he said ‘This is how to do it’ than he adds Yet if I speak, my pain is not relieved; and if I refrain, it does not go away. He sounds fine at times but he is in real agony and anguish. We get an insight into this in what he says. There are several aspects to it. It is good to remind ourselves of why those who suffer know such great anguish.
1 The devastated man is one who suffers at God’s hands
1 The devastated man is one who suffers at God’s hands
Speaking to God, Job says (7-9) Surely, O God, you have worn me out; you have devastated my entire household. You have bound me - and it has become a witness; my gauntness rises up and testifies against me. God assails me and tears me in his anger and gnashes his teeth at me; my opponent fastens on me his piercing eyes. God has worn him down, devastating his household. He has tied Job up in a sick body the very sight of which haunts him. He has assailed Job and torn into him in anger. Like a wrestling champion he stares at Job with piercing eyes. It is this realisation that devastates the devastated man. He knows what God has done but he does not know why.
2 The devastated man is one who suffers at man’s hands
2 The devastated man is one who suffers at man’s hands
Job goes on (10, 11) Men open their mouths to jeer at me; they strike my cheek in scorn and unite together against me. God has turned me over to evil men and thrown me into the clutches of the wicked. It is this that only adds to his suffering. Here it is difficult not to think of the suffering of Christ and here is one comforting thought for the believer.
3 The devastated man is one who suffers at God’s hand unexpectedly and continually
3 The devastated man is one who suffers at God’s hand unexpectedly and continually
In verses 12-14 it is again God’s role in his troubles that Job has in mind but this time he thinks of the amazing turn around in his life and the way his suffering has gone on and on – both exacerbating factors. All was well with me, but he shattered me; he seized me by the neck and crushed me. He has made me his target; his archers surround me. Without pity, he pierces my kidneys and spills my gall on the ground. Again and again he bursts upon me; he rushes at me like a warrior.
4 The devastated man is one who suffers at man’s hand, his own, despite his piety
4 The devastated man is one who suffers at man’s hand, his own, despite his piety
15-17 I have sewed sackcloth over my skin and buried my brow in the dust. My face is red with weeping, deep shadows ring my eyes. His own feelings of wretchedness and despair only add to the suffering of the devastated man. We must reckon with that too. What exacerbates it all is the thought, yet my hands have been free of violence and my prayer is pure. To suffer for doing wrong is hard – to suffer for doing nothing wrong is beyond us. Yet again it points us to Christ – He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. Rather he went around doing good. He was the perfect, spotless Lamb who was slain for sinners.
3. The one hope for a devastated man
3. The one hope for a devastated man
This leads us to the one glimmer of hope in this passage – verses 18-21. Job has once again protested his innocence (yet my hands have been free of violence and my prayer is pure). He pleads that when he dies the earth will not deny him justice, O earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry never be laid to rest! Remember how innocent Abel’s blood cried out from the ground to God. That made Job then think of God in heaven. Yet it is God who has devastated him. But Job cannot believe there is no-one to witness his righteousness, no-one in heaven to plead his cause. And so with great insight he says Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend. In ancient times if a man was taken to court he would be represented not by a professional lawyer as such but by a friend. The friend would intercede for him. Job’s hope, his one hope, is that there is someone in heaven who can do that for him. He is not perfect but his suffering is not due to any sin of his. But who can plead his case? Only someone like the friend and advocate he describes. Now, of course, this is the glory of the New Testament - that it reveals that there is such a Friend and Advocate, a Mediator between man and God – the man Christ Jesus. As John says (1 John 2:1) I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defence - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the one who intercedes on behalf of his people. It is not that there is really any reluctance on the part of the Father to be gracious but it is particularly the role of the Son to intercede, to pray for his people, to plead in their behalf. We have already met Satan in this book. Satan means ‘Accuser’ and that is what he does - he accuses God’s people. But Jesus defends them. He stands up for them and pleads their cause. What Job glimpsed here is revealed in all its glory in the New Testament. It is the answer in all our innocent sufferings. It is the answer to all suffering in the end. Christ, who suffered and died is now in heaven pleading for his people. He bears witness to every good deed they do and he covers over all their sins. He successfully pleads for each one. The TV Detective Perry Mason never lost a case - except one. Christ never loses a case full stop. All our friends may fail us but the Friend who sticks closer than a brother never will. All we have to do is look to him.
Only a few years will pass before I go on the journey of no return he says. That is true for all of us. A one way ticket to eternity stands waiting for us all. Job felt for himself (17:1) My spirit is broken, my days are cut short, the grave awaits me. He had to say Surely mockers surround me; my eyes must dwell on their hostility. And so he prays Give me, O God, the pledge you demand. Who else will put up security for me? His only hope is if God himself saves him. He is praying (albeit only half aware) for the Saviour Christ to be given him. That is the only hope for any of us.
4. Why despair so often prevails over hope
Only a few years will pass before I go on the journey of no return he says. That is true for all of us. A one way ticket to eternity stands waiting for us all. Job felt for himself (17:1) My spirit is broken, my days are cut short, the grave awaits me. He had to say Surely mockers surround me; my eyes must dwell on their hostility. And so he prays Give me, O God, the pledge you demand. Who else will put up security for me? His only hope is if God himself saves him. He is praying (albeit only half aware) for the Saviour Christ to be given him. That is the only hope for any of us.
4. Why despair so often prevails over hope
Having reached this great height, Job begins to fall back into despair. As for Job’s friends (4, 5) You have closed their minds to understanding; therefore you will not let them triumph. Job gently suggests that may be they were being paid to do such dirty work. But If a man denounces his friends for reward, the eyes of his children will fail.
He then speaks again of his miseries (6ff) God has made me a byword to everyone, a man in whose face people spit. My eyes have grown dim with grief; my whole frame is but a shadow. Upright men are appalled at this; the innocent are aroused against the ungodly. Again the Lord Jesus comes vividly to mind. Then we have another faint word of hope (9) - Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger. Whatever comes, the righteous will hold on their way. Job knows he is innocent. He is not suffering for some sin. But he cannot prove it. He cannot demonstrate it. Everybody thinks he is a sinner. And so in despair he speaks like a drunkard picking a fight - But come on, all of you, try again! I will not find a wise man among you. How bleak it seems My days have passed, my plans are shattered, and so are the desires of my heart. Why? Because of the failure of his so-called friends. Verse 12 These men turn night into day; in the face of darkness they say, Light is near. If only one of them could have said ‘Yes, Job we know you are innocent. We are sure God will vindicate you.’ But there is none of this. They have no word of Christ to share and in the end that is what makes their counsel so bleak. Any counselling will be bleak if it does not point to Christ. Simply to say ‘You must try harder’ or ‘Things could be worse’ or ‘May be things will get better’ is to mouth empty platitudes. The Christian counsellor must say ‘Yes, it’s a mess. No, I don’t know why you are suffering. But I do know Jesus Christ also suffered innocently and that if you look to him, he will save you. He will deliver you. Indeed, he is the only one who can rescue you. Trust in him.’
Otherwise, it is only gloom. Listen to Job here (13ff) If the only home I hope for is the grave, if I spread out my bed in darkness, if I say to corruption, You are my father, and to the worm, My mother or My sister, where then is my hope? Who can see any hope for me? Will it go down to the gates of death? Will we descend together into the dust? If all we have to look forward to is the grave then how bleak it all is. Despair prevails over hope so often because it does not take Christ into account. Job lived long before the Lord Jesus but he did glimpse what was going to happen. He had a hope, a faint hope, yes, but a real one – that Jesus would be his Advocate. How much more privileged than Job we are. Don’t give in to despair – look to Christ. Tell others about him. He is the answer. Amen.
He then speaks again of his miseries (6ff) God has made me a byword to everyone, a man in whose face people spit. My eyes have grown dim with grief; my whole frame is but a shadow. Upright men are appalled at this; the innocent are aroused against the ungodly. Again the Lord Jesus comes vividly to mind. Then we have another faint word of hope (9) - Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger. Whatever comes, the righteous will hold on their way. Job knows he is innocent. He is not suffering for some sin. But he cannot prove it. He cannot demonstrate it. Everybody thinks he is a sinner. And so in despair he speaks like a drunkard picking a fight - But come on, all of you, try again! I will not find a wise man among you. How bleak it seems My days have passed, my plans are shattered, and so are the desires of my heart. Why? Because of the failure of his so-called friends. Verse 12 These men turn night into day; in the face of darkness they say, Light is near. If only one of them could have said ‘Yes, Job we know you are innocent. We are sure God will vindicate you.’ But there is none of this. They have no word of Christ to share and in the end that is what makes their counsel so bleak. Any counselling will be bleak if it does not point to Christ. Simply to say ‘You must try harder’ or ‘Things could be worse’ or ‘May be things will get better’ is to mouth empty platitudes. The Christian counsellor must say ‘Yes, it’s a mess. No, I don’t know why you are suffering. But I do know Jesus Christ also suffered innocently and that if you look to him, he will save you. He will deliver you. Indeed, he is the only one who can rescue you. Trust in him.’
Otherwise, it is only gloom. Listen to Job here (13ff) If the only home I hope for is the grave, if I spread out my bed in darkness, if I say to corruption, You are my father, and to the worm, My mother or My sister, where then is my hope? Who can see any hope for me? Will it go down to the gates of death? Will we descend together into the dust? If all we have to look forward to is the grave then how bleak it all is. Despair prevails over hope so often because it does not take Christ into account. Job lived long before the Lord Jesus but he did glimpse what was going to happen. He had a hope, a faint hope, yes, but a real one – that Jesus would be his Advocate. How much more privileged than Job we are. Don’t give in to despair – look to Christ. Tell others about him. He is the answer. Amen.
