Job 9:14 says, How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?  After speaking about the power and majesty of God, Job now begins to speak of his own inability to talk to God with any words that could justify himself before God.  If we attempt to claim that we are perfect and God has treated us unfairly, our very words show our hypocrisy.  Job had been accused of being a hypocrite by Bildad, but Job acknowledged his unworthiness to even answer God.  Job was not claiming to be perfect and therefore able to stand before God by his own righteousness, but asked how he could hope to choose the right words to reason with God.  We can never question the wisdom of God because we feel that we are righteous in all that we do.  Verse fifteen adds, Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.  Job said that even if he could claim righteousness, he could still not make demands on God.  He could only come to God in supplication, asking God to hear Him.  We can never make demands on God but must come to Him as humble servants.  Verse sixteen continues, If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.  Job felt that his prayers were so ineffective that even if God did what he was asking it wouldn't be due to his prayers.  I believe Job felt at this point that God was just going to do what He wanted to do when He wanted to do it.  This made God an impersonal God, but we know that is not the case.  God always hears and answers the prayers of His people.  We may not like the answer, nor even the timing of the answer, but we can never believe that God does not hear us.  If we believe that everything is preordained, then we must say as Job did that our prayers do not matter.  Verse seventeen states, For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.  Job stated his reason for believing that God did not hear Him.  Job said God was causing him unbearable suffering without cause.  No matter how much we suffer, we can never blame God nor claim that we are without any guilt in our lives.  Job was now basically saying aloud that God was being unjust with Him.  Verse eighteen adds, He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.  I believe that Job was basically saying that God was responsible for his bitterness.  If we become bitter in our attitude toward God today, we cannot blame it on God.  We cannot even blame it on the devil, because we alone are responsible for our attitude toward God.  Events in this world should never determine our attitude toward God, but we must remain faithful to Him no matter what.  Verse nineteen continues, If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?  Job acknowledged the power of God.  He felt powerless in God's sight. Our strength and wisdom are indeed powerless in God's sight, but through faith in Him, we are made strong.  Verse twenty says, If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.  Job said he could not justify himself with his words, and that if he said he was perfect that even his speech would be perverse.  If a person claims to be able to stand before God today innocent by their own ability, then what they are saying is perverse.  We cannot make ourselves right with God by our own actions but can only do so by faith in God's redeeming act.  Through acknowledgement of our own sins and faith in Christ alone can we be restored to a right relationship with God.  Verse twenty-one adds, Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.  Job said that even if he had been perfect, in his present condition he would despise his soul.  In his suffering, Job could see no reason for even his soul, the animating force of life, to live on.  Verse twenty-two continues, This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.  Those that are perfect, though there really is but One, and those that are wicked do all meet the same fate in this life, and that is they all die.  I believe Job was stating this as an indictment against God though.  He was blaming God for evil coming to good people, but we must remember that God is not responsible for the evil in the world.

Job 6:15 says, My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;  Even though only Eliphaz had spoken, Job felt that all his brethren had dealt deceitfully with him. Those who had been his friends had offered him no comfort, and those who had come to see him offered nothing but silence or judgment so far. We need to be better friends to those who are suffering around us and offer them hope and comfort through God.  Those who had been his friends had deserted him even before these three came to him.  Sometimes in adversity we find out that friends really aren't friends, as they no longer even want to be around us.  Verse sixteen adds, Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:  Job said the true nature of those who called themselves his friends were like black ice hidden under the snow, a danger without being seen.  Verse seventeen continues, saying, What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.  Job said that when things started to get warm that his friends vanished.  If they couldn't stand with him when things were just warm, their friendship was definitely consumed when things got hot.  Verse eighteen states, The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.  I believe that Job was saying that his friends not only turned against him, but they left the leadership of God as well.  If we are truly following God, He will never lead us to desert those who are in need, especially our fellow believers.  Verse nineteen adds, The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.  I believe that Job was telling us that when we get off the path that God has for us to follow that there are many enemies waiting to destroy us.  Verse twenty continues, They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.  I believe that Job was saying that those who look for hope in the things of this world will always be disappointed in their search.  Verse twenty-one says, For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.  Job said his friends were of no comfort to him since they saw how he had fallen so low and were afraid it would affect them as well.  We can never let fear control us as we follow God's will for our lives.  Verse twenty-two adds, Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?  Job said he did not send for these three friends, nor did he ask anything of them.  If we willingly go to help a friend in need, we should be there to actually help them and not to judge or condemn them.   Verse twenty-three continues, Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?  Job said he didn't ask for their protection or deliverance.  He was actually ready for his life to just be over.  Verse twenty-four states, Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.  I believe that Job was saying that if his friends actually had something to teach him, to help him understand why he was in such torment, he would listen and not interrupt them.  If we go to those in trouble today, we need to have words that will offer understanding to them, and not condemnation.  Verse twenty-five adds, How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?  Job said that words of truth had power, but simply arguing based on faulty logic was worthless.  When we enter into arguments simply to prove our point, and not to teach about God's will for us, our arguments are in vain.  Verse twenty-six continues, Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?  Job asked them what they hoped to accomplish with their accusations against Him.  Job continues this question in verse twenty-seven says, Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.  I believe that Job was saying that his friends looked forward to condemning him for his perceived sins.  We need not look for reasons to condemn the less fortunate but to offer them support instead.  Verse twenty-eight adds, Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.  Job asked his friends to actually look at him and not his condition.  He said when they did, they would know he wasn't lying.  We should never judge people by their material circumstances but should actually look at who they are under God's guidance.  Verse twenty-nine continues, Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.  Job asked his friends to return in righteousness, or I believe under God's guidance.  Verse thirty concludes, Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?  Job asked if he had said anything that could be viewed as iniquity, stating that he could still distinguish between what was the truth and what was a lie.  We must always reach out to people with the truth of God and never rely on our own understanding.  Job's friends thought they knew why he was suffering, but they were wrong.

Job 6:1 says, But Job answered and said,  Job had listened to Eliphaz, and now he was ready to answer him.  Sometimes we need to listen to what others have to say, but we need to answer them through faith.  Verse two adds, Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!  Job wished that his grief and calamity, or suffering could be accurately judged impartially.  When we as followers of Christ suffer in this world, we know that non-believers will never judge us fairly.  They will use our suffering as an indictment against God.  We must hope that fellow believers will not judge us to be guilty of some sin, but even if they don't, the non-believers will simply say that is due to our unfounded faith.  Only God can truly judge us impartially.  Verse three continues, For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.  Job said his grief bore down on him more than the weight of the sands of the seas and that this great weight even swallowed up his words.  I believe that he was telling his friends that they could not begin to understand his suffering.  I think that at times today God's people suffer in ways that other believers cannot understand. Sometimes there may be no physical signs of this suffering, but that does not mean that it is not real.  Verse four states, For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.  I believe that Job was saying that the physical suffering did not compare to the mental anguish of feeling that God had abandoned him.  Job knew of no reason for his seeming abandonment by God.  If we are suffering today, as followers of Christ, we can be certain that God has not abandoned us.  He will be with us no matter what.  Verse five adds, Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?  I believe that Job was asking if even the animals were not content when their needs were met.  There was no need for them to cry out for what they already had.  Likewise, Job had not complained when his needs were met.  We might think that normal, but many people do complain when they are blessed, or at least do not thank God for their blessings.  Verse six continues, Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?  I believe Job was saying that anything he now ate was unsavory.  He had lost pleasure even in eating.  Verse seven says, The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.  I believe that Job was speaking of the physical restrictions that God's followers had placed on them in order to remain spiritually pure.  Job would not have even touched the food that was now his diet, nor a person such as he had become.  Verse eight adds, Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!  What Job was longing for was not restoration and a fulfilling life again, but he was still wishing for death.  No matter how bad things get, we cannot afford to reach the point that we regret even being born.  Verse nine continues, Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!  Job still saw God as the One Who sustained life.  Job was still not saying that he was going to end his on life.  Verse ten states, Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.  Job did not see death as final, but he saw comfort with God after this life.  If he saw everything ceasing at death, there would be no comfort in death.  Verse eleven adds, What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?  I believe that Job reached the point of seeing his life continuing as being without any hope.  We need to be careful that we don't reach the same point.  As long as we put our faith in God, He will give us the hope and strength to remain faithful to the end of this life.  Verse twelve continues, Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass.  I believe Job was saying that his strength was limited.  He could not bear his suffering as would a stone or brass, but he was a living person who had to endure the suffering.  Verse thirteen asks, Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?  I believe he was asking if he could heal himself by his own power.  We know that the only way that we can be restored to God is by the action that God took when Christ died for us.  We cannot restore ourselves to God, and at this point Job still felt abandoned by God.  Verse fourteen adds, To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.  Job said that those who were suffering should be offered pity, or more accurately the comfort from their friends.  We don't need to judge the relationship of other Christians with God if they are suffering.  I believe that Job was saying that Eliphaz was not speaking under God's leadership.

Job 5:21 says, Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.  This is really a continuation of what Eliphaz had said in the last couple of verses.  God will deliver His people, not only from famine and war, but also from the scourge of the tongue, or those who would speak evil of them.  As Christians, this does not mean that people will never speak badly about us, but that even if they do, God will always be with us to deliver us in the end.  I do believe that we can say that even if he didn't acknowledge it that at this time Eliphaz was speaking evil of Job.  Elipaz was telling Job that he was suffering because of some sin in his life, and we know this wasn't the case.  When we see Christians suffering, as has already been said, we need to remember that this does not mean that they are guilty of sin in their lives.  Satan is going to try to discredit those who are most faithful to God.  Verse twenty-two adds, At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.  I believe that Eliphaz was telling Job that if he was really faithful to God that instead of crying out against God that Job would be laughing and unafraid of the destruction that had fallen on Him.  It is easy for someone who has not faced adversity, especially the crippling kind Job faced, to say that as followers of God we should not let it affect us.  We may know that in the end we will be redeemed and that the things of this world ultimately don't matter, but that does not mean that we will not at times ask God why we are suffering.  Verse twenty-three continues, For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.  Eliphaz said that when we are at peace with God, we are at peace with all of His creation.  Though that will ultimately be true, that is not the case today.  Verse twenty-four states, And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin.  This was just a continuation of the idea of being at peace with the world.  Eliphaz was telling Job that when he was right with God that he would live at peace in his household and then he should not sin.  This is the concept of serving God for earthly rewards and we know it is not what the gospel teaches us.  Verse twenty-five adds, Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth.  This is a further teaching of material blessings being a sign of obedience to God and adversity being a sign of a person having sin in their life.  Verse twenty-six continues, Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.  Eliphaz told Job that if he was obedient to God that he would live a long and happy life.  We know this is not the case, as many faithful followers of God died very young, and many died because of their faith in God. Verse twenty-seven concludes, Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.  Basically, he was telling Job not to argue with him, because he knew the truth after much studying.  We need to understand that people can do all the studying they want to, even of the Bible, and still come to the wrong conclusions if they are not studying under the leadership of God.  We don't need to claim that our conclusions cannot be disputed if they are not consistent with the teachings of the Bible.

Job 5:12 says, He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.  I believe that Eliphaz was again proclaiming that evil, or crafty, people will never prosper for long before God will punish them.  I believe he was applying this to Job's life.  He was saying that Job had prospered for a while, but God had struck him down due to his sinfulness.  This is the danger of a prosperity gospel.  If God is making us rich in the eyes of the world due to our goodness, then if any trouble comes God must be punishing us for sin in our lives.  We need to acknowledge that material blessings do not mean we are faithfully following God, nor does the lack of material blessings mean that we are guilty of sin.  Verse thirteen adds, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.  Eliphaz was still speaking of material possessions and God's will.  I believe he was saying that people might become rich by their own craftiness, but eventually God would strike them down.  Verse fourteen continues, They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in the night.  I believe that Eliphaz was saying that those who did not rely on God for their well-being were not able to see the truth of God.  They were stumbling around in darkness, unable to see the light.  We today stumble around in darkness until we see the Light, Jesus Christ.  When we accept Christ as Savior and Lord, we live in the light of God.  Verse fifteen states, But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.  Eliphaz told Job that God took care of the poor when they were confronted by the mighty.  We today would do better to look to God for strength and deliverance than to look to the powers of the world.  I believe that Eliphaz was also telling Job that since he was suffering so greatly that he must not be following God's will for his life.  We must never equate material blessings and power with the fact that someone is following God's will.  Verse sixteen adds, So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.  Eliphaz said that the poor had hope in God.  I believe that he was saying that though he believed that Job had brought suffering on himself that Job could look to God in hope, even though he was now very definitely poor.  Verse seventeen continues, Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:  Eliphaz said that Job should be happy because God was correcting, or chastising, him and that Job certainly had no right to complain about it.  If we know for sure that we are suffering because God is using this to correct some sin in our life, we should be happy.  We are told that those whom God loves He chastises.  Still, we cannot make the assumption that Eliphaz did, which was that all suffering must be caused by God correcting us for sin in our lives.  Verse eighteen says, For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.  Eliphaz said that even though God wounded and made someone sore, that God would also restore them.  I believe the implication was that this would happen when they acknowledged their sin.  We cannot assume that if a Christian is suffering today that it is because God is correcting or chastising them, and they simply need to confess whatever sin may be in their life to be restored.  We are told that we can expect to be reviled and persecuted because of our faith in God.  Verse nineteen adds, He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.  I believe that he was telling Job that God would deliver him if he simply repented, no matter how bad the suffering, and it would be done to keep evil from destroying him.  Verse twenty continues, In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword.  Eliphaz said that God would deliver us from death in famine and war if we were faithful to Him.  We know that God will indeed deliver us spiritually from death through Christ, but that does not mean that we will not suffer physically due to our faith in Him.  Just as Christ was the suffering Servant, so must we be also.

Job 5:1 says, Call now, if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn?  Eliphaz was basically asking Job to call on anyone who would say that it was not something that Job had done wrong that was causing his suffering. A person is the only one who can state for certain their relationship to God.  There may be no one else who will defend someone when it looks as though they are being punished by God for some sin, but as long as the person being accused knows that he or she has remained faithful to God that is all that really matters.  Even though Job was guilty of questioning God, he knew that sin had not brought his suffering to him.  We must always stand firm in our relationship to God, no matter what the world may say about us.  Verse two adds, For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.  I believe that Eliphaz was telling Job that his wrath at God was foolish and would only kill him.  If we become angry at God for whatever reason it can only lead us to more suffering.  We are indeed foolish to question God and especially to be angry with Him.  Eliphaz was also saying that Job was wrong to envy those around him who were still healthy and prosperous, as was Eliphaz himself.  We today need to live without denying success to other people, especially fellow Christians.  If we are suffering, we still need to rejoice in their success.  The reverse is also true.  If they are suffering, we can never rejoice in their suffering.  Verse three continues, I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation.  I believe that Eliphaz was saying that he had seen foolish ideas about God and suffering become established.  He was saying that Job was foolish to think that his suffering was due to anything other than his own sinfulness.  Verse four states, His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, neither is there any to deliver them.  Eliphaz was in effect saying that Job's sin was responsible for the death of his children.  If Job were not suffering enough, this would certainly add to his suffering.  We need to offer true comfort to those fellow believers who are suffering and not add guilt to their suffering.  Verse five adds, Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance.  Eliphaz was still proclaiming that those guilty of sin would eventually have everything taken away from them, just as had happened to Job.  We know that this is not the case with Job and not even in the world today.  Verse continues, Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground;  Eliphaz was telling Job that suffering does not come from nowhere.  He said suffering did just spring up without a person causing it by sinful actions.  Verse seven says, Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.  I believe that Eliphaz was saying that by nature, people are born to face trouble when they aren't following God's will.  Some today still teach that earthly suffering is always a result of a person sinning, but we know this is not what the Bible teaches.  Verse eight adds, I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:  Eliphaz actually gave Job some good advice here, but for the wrong reason.  He was telling Job to seek God for forgiveness for his sins that had led to Job's current condition.  We should always advise fellow believers to look to God if they are suffering but must never judge them as being guilty of bringing the suffering on themselves because of sin in their lives.  Verse nine continues, Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:  God does indeed do great things in the world today, and as His followers we should always acknowledge that fact.  Verse ten states, Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:  Eliphaz said that God is responsible for sustaining the world.  I believe the implication was that if Job had been faithful to God, he would not be suffering.  Verse eleven adds, To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.  I believe that Eliphaz was telling Job that if he would repent that he would be restored to prosperity.  Again, we must be careful that we never associate material blessings as being a sign of obedience to God and suffering to be a sign of sin in the life of a person.

Job 4:10 says, The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.  Eliphaz may have been using the lion to represent nations that had come to power and then fell.  He could also have been using the analogy to represent Job, who had once been powerful, but now was fallen.  Verse eleven adds, The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion’s whelps are scattered abroad.  Eliphaz said that when the lion got old that it was no longer powerful, and I believe he was saying that Job's faith was the same way.  For a while Job had been prosperous, but now Eliphaz was telling Job that he had been a hypocrite and was now as powerless as an old lion.  Verse twelve continues, Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.  Epiphaz began to relate a vision than he had from God, whether after coming to see Job or some time before.  He said the vision came to him secretly.  We know before the coming of Christ that God often spoke to His people in visions, and He may still today to help us better understand His purpose for our lives.  Verse thirteen states, In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,  Eliphaz said the vision came to him at night.  When we are asleep and the noise and cares of the world are shut out, then God may speak to us, but we must never confuse dreams with visions from God.  I believe we will know the difference between the two.  Verse fourteen adds, Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.  He says that the vision that he had literally caused him to shake all over.  When God does speak to us, we should listen in awe that He would do so.  God's word to us should have an impact.  Verse fifteen continues, Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up:  Eliphaz recognized this as more than a dream, stating that he saw a spirit pass before his face.  We might say that Eliphaz was having a nightmare, but I believe that God made him aware that it was God speaking to him.  I believe that as followers of Christ we will always recognize God's voice, no matter how He speaks to us.  Verse sixteen says, It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,  Eliphaz said that the spirit stood still, but that even though he could not discern the shape of the spirit, but that after a period of silence he heard a voice.  I believe God will always prepare us to hear when He speaks.  We simply need to be silent and hear Him.  Verse seventeen adds, Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?  This was the message that Eliphaz had received from God.  The question concerned man in relationship to God, asking if man, the created being, could be more just than the Creator, God.  I believe that Eliphaz may have been applying this to Job's questioning why all this was happening to him.  Verse eighteen continues, Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:  Eliphaz said that God could not even put His faith in the angels, many of whom rebelled.  If the angels failed, how much more likely is it that man could not stand in his own righteousness.  Verse nineteen asks, How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?  We need to realize that the life that we live here is mortal, and that we need to acknowledge that only through following God's will does life even have meaning.  Verse twenty adds, They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it.  Mortal man shall die, and many, many do daily.  If a person does not acknowledge God's deliverance through Christ, even though in Eliphaz's time that was a coming event, then that person will perish forever separated from God.  No one can stand before God, saved by their own goodness.  Verse twenty-one continues, Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.  When we die, what we have done on earth is no longer important, except those things done for God.  If we do not acknowledge that God is the only One Who can restore a right relationship with Him, then we truly die without the only wisdom that really matters.  Eliphaz was applying this vision to Job, and I believe asking why Job would feel qualified to question God.  I believe that he was also saying that this vision indicated that Job had done something wrong.  Even if God gives us a vision, we must not attempt to use it to judge others.  The vision may have applied to Eliphaz and his relationship to God more than to Job and his relationship to God.  We must not be quick to judge other people by our understanding, but if we judge, it must be with a clear understanding that we are not judging by our own merit.  We are not called to be a judge, but a witness.