The Book Of Job - Chapter 6

Exploring The Relationship Between Man And God

By Pastor Mike Callis

Although Job initially responded well to to his trials (Job 1:20-22; 2:8-10), his friends had become the devil's tool of discouragement to pry open Job's heart. he would become easy prey for the devil's other devices. What is most cunning by Satan is that this discouragement would stay under Job's spiritual radar, coming not from his enemies but from his friends.

- Holman Old Testament Commentary

Thoughts and Questions from Chapter 5:

1. Do I consider myself more righteous than others?

2. Do I understand that the bible shows good people encountering bad things?

3. Would those around me consider me a good friend?

Chapter 6 - Keys: Pain; Depression; Loneliness; Anger

I. Job Responds To Eliphaz - Round 1. Verses 1-30

A. Job claims his pain gives him the right to sorrow. verses 1-23

1. Job defends himself. Verses 1-7

  • Job wishes they knew the extent of his pain and sorrow. If his pain could be measured they would surely know the magnitude of it (v.1-3); and would realize that he does not lament for no reason; and that their words are making it worse; for if everything was good he would not cry out in sorrow (v.5-7).

2. We must be careful when arguing for or defending our position. 2 Timothy 2:16

  • Often times as debate or arguments escalate, the words we use and the motives in which we use them change. The Lord gives us some encouragement here that we are better off keeping it simple (Matthew 5:37).

3. Job's despair becomes more evident. Verses 8-13

  • Job once again wishes for death. He just wants all the suffering and pain to end; but he still recognizes God as sovereign (v.9 "let loose his hand").
  • Job desires comfort that only death can bring as a release from his troubles, and he feels he has kept his faith (v.10).
  • Job's hope of recovery seems to be all but gone. He says he has nor more strength to continue, and he can't see how life could ever be as good as it was (v.11-13)

4. Despair and self-pity must be fought against. Romans 5:5

  • All Christians battle depression at one time or another; but all Christians have the same hope - Jesus Christ The Righteous. The difference between us and the unsaved, is that we have been given hope. Before we were saved we were without strength to fight sin (Romans 5:6); but the love of God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit has been given to us.

5.Job shares his disappointment. Verses 14-23

  • Job was extremely hurt by the lack of compassion his friends showed him (v.14); and he states that true friends should not be so cold hearted. Job uses metaphors of water brooks and caravans to demonstrate the lack sensitivity they had toward Job's plight (v. 15-20).
  • Job also states that he never asked his friends for anything (v.22-23), but he did have expectations of their friendship, which is seen in his disappointment (v.21).

6. Do we ever evaluate our friendship to others. Proverbs 18:19-21, 24

  • Taking time to help and to be an encourager requires sacrifice on our part. We have to put on hold our busy schedule to make time for another (Proverbs 17:17).

B. Job places a challenge. Verses 24-30

1. Job demands his friends to teach him. Verses 24-30

  • Job in essence says "if you put up I will shut up". Job recognized the truth may hurt, but truth is what he was after and his friends were not speaking truthfully, and their words proved nothing against Job (v.24-25).
  • Job brings out the fact that they are without compassion (v.26-27).
  • Job pleads with his friends to now show sympathy. Job says "you know me, would I lie to you?" (v.28).
  • Job now ask his friends to reconsider the error of their charge. he tells them that he is fully aware of the difference between right and wrong (v.29-30).

2. Have you ever been wrong and misjudged someone. James 1:5

  • After you have recognized your mistake, you will need to seek forgiveness from the person and the Lord (Matthew 5:22-24). To do our best to avoid misjudging people and situations, we need to practice good spiritual discernment and use good godly wisdom.

3. Spiritual Discernment is the guiding and the work of the Holy Spirit. The Lord leads us through impressions in our mind, other Christians, circumstances, and the scriptures. There are some main points to consider.

  • Unless it is governed by love it is worthless - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
  • It centers us on Jesus and His good news - 1 Corinthians 12:3
  • It directs us to God's word, not away from it - Isaiah 8:19-20
  • It builds up the church as a whole and as an individuals - Ephesians 4:11-12