Job: Slandered

Job 3:1-5:

Throughout the entire chapter, Job laments his birth.

He wishes he had never been born, but he is not suicidal.

Nowhere does he entertain the idea of taking his own life. He simply wishes that it had never happened in the first place.

*any of us would be depressed under these circumstances, but Job never did sin against God.

Job 4:1-2:

Eliphaz can no longer hold his tongue.

*There is no record of Job’s friends ever praying for wisdom.

Job 4:3-6

so far so good

Job 4:7-9

Eliphaz makes a wrong turn, down the wrong road.

He questions Job’s innocence.

Eliphaz suggests that only the wicked are afflicted, but this is not true.

Affliction can happen to anyone

Luke 13:1-5

Luke 13:1–5 NKJV

There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

John 9:2-3

John 9:2–3 NKJV

And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.

In a general sense some of the things Eliphaz said may have been true, but good and evil are not always rewarded the way we would like, on this side of eternity.

*It is possible for us to apply truth, but at the wrong time and w/ improper application.

In fact, Eliphaz says some things in chapter 5 which are true.

Eliphaz did share some truth

Job 5:18

Job 5:18 NKJV

For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole.

God brings both affliction and blessing

Deuteronomy 32:39

Deuteronomy 32:39 NKJV

‘Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.

The problem is, Eliphaz’s message to Job was to repent, but Job’s trouble had nothing to do with any sin he had committed.

Job responds to the accusations

Job 6:22

Job 6:22 NKJV

Did I ever say, ‘Bring something to me’? Or, ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth’?

Job challenges his friends to prove that he has sinned.

Show me my sin and I'll be quiet.

Job 6:24-25

Job 6:24–25 NKJV

“Teach me, and I will hold my tongue; Cause me to understand wherein I have erred. How forceful are right words! But what does your arguing prove?

Job says your arguments prove nothing.

None of this was what Job needed or desired.

What Job longed for was a mediator.

Job wanted a mediator

Job 9:33

Job 9:33 NKJV

Nor is there any mediator between us, Who may lay his hand on us both.

Job knew that a mediator is necessary between man and God

Job 9:4

Job 9:4 NKJV

God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against Him and prospered?

Job 9:14-15

Job 9:14–15 NKJV

“How then can I answer Him, And choose my words to reason with Him? For though I were righteous, I could not answer Him; I would beg mercy of my Judge.

Job 9:20

Job 9:20 NKJV

Though I were righteous, my own mouth would condemn me; Though I were blameless, it would prove me perverse.

Job 9:32

Job 9:32 NKJV

“For He is not a man, as I am, That I may answer Him, And that we should go to court together.

Job's point was that man could not be righteous before a Holy God, therefore he needs someone to intercede.

This is the reason for the Old Testament priests

Leviticus 4:16-17

Leviticus 4:16–17 NKJV

The anointed priest shall bring some of the bull’s blood to the tabernacle of meeting. Then the priest shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before the Lord, in front of the veil.

We have a mediator and priest in Christ today

1 Timothy 2:5

1 Timothy 2:5 NKJV

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

Hebrews 7:25

Hebrews 7:25 NKJV

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 4:14-15

Hebrews 4:14–15 NKJV

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Christ is the High Priest who can sympathize in every way.

He made the sacrifice, and He makes intercession.

He is the holy Mediator.