Not gonna lie- this section is rather depressing. Job has moved from “I wish I was never born,” to “I wish God would just kill me and get it over with.”

If it wasn’t for the fact that the man has lost everything: his children, his wealth, the respect of his wife, and even kindness from his friends, I’d say he was being a bit melodramatic. But in Job’s case, I don’t think his darkness is over the top.

(Hello darkness my old friend…)

This is as good a place as any to point out that the ancient texts of Job have been notoriously difficult to translate. My copy of the Septuagint (the BC translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek) tells me that its version of Job is 400 lines shorter than the Hebrew texts we have. The editors offer this possible explanation:

“…perhaps because sections were omitted that were not understood. The ancient Syriac (Peshitta), Aramaic (Targum), and Latin (Vulgate) had similar translation difficulties.”

It seems that even the ancient academics had challenges in understanding Job. I don’t feel so bad now. 😉

I bring up these challenges because 6:14 varies wildly depending on the translation. It seems to be some kind of statement by Job letting his friends know that he is not “feeling the love” from them. Here are a few comparisons of Job 6:14:

“Loyal love should come for the afflicted from his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of Shaddai.” – Lexam English Bible

“To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; But he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.” – classic King James

“Mercy has rejected me; and the visitation of the Lord has disregarded me.” – Septuagint

“One should be kind to a fainting friend, but you accuse me without any fear of the Almighty.” – the ever-accessible NLT

“He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.” – ESV

I think that when the gloves came off and Eliphaz dropped that heartless comment about Job’s kids dying, then Job was like- “Oh, ok, you want to be blunt? I’ll be blunt. You are a pathetic excuse for a friend!”

I find the Lexam translation touching. Eliphaz already made it no secret that he suspects that Job is secretly a sinner. In his worldview, Job must have done something sinful to deserve the horrible things that have befallen him. And in verse 14 Job says, Even if you’re right, even if I have “forsaken the fear of Shaddai”, a real friend would be loyal and show love to his afflicted pal instead of telling him… that if he would just “do better” tragedy would never happen. He would be “blessed and highly favored,” “too blessed to be stressed,” “the head and not the tail,” “blessed in the city,” “blessed in the field,” (c’mon somebody, cue that Hammond organ…!) Job, you’ll be “above and not beneath,” “blessed goin’ in and blessed goin’ out.” Mmmm… Can I get a witness!

Eliphaz was a word-of-faith, prosperity gospel preacher before there was such a thing. “If you just sow that seed, God will bless you.” And Job is like- Hold up. I have been faithful to the Lord! I have been obedient to Him!

Do you see the conflict? Eliphaz’s worldview has collided with a reality that it cannot explain. Eliphaz has a transactional view of God: I do this and God is obligated to do that. Big problem. God isn’t a tame lion. Remember? The Almighty isn’t obligated to do squat. He does what He does because He is wise and good, NOT because He owes any human anything.

After Job expresses how unhappy he is with how his friends are treating him, he says:

“Look at me! Would I lie to your face? Stop assuming my guilt, for I have done no wrong. Do you think I am lying? Don’t I know the difference between right and wrong?” Job‬ ‭6‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Then for most of the next chapter he vents. He vents to God with his friends looking on. He rants about his physical condition, his emotions, his mental turmoil. He again expresses a wish to die. Then, in a turn of phrase that prefigures Psalm 8, he says,

“What is man, that you make so much of him, and that you set your heart on him?”
‭‭Job‬ ‭7‬:‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬. Maybe David was quoting Job. But can I just say in passing how precious it is that Job says that God has “set His heart” on man? Wow. Do you ever use that phrase? “The kids have their hearts set on getting a pony. It’s all they talk about.” “She’s got her heart set on a trip to Italy. She’s got the guidebooks. She’s saving, Planning. It’s a bucket list item.” Think for a moment about what it means to have your “heart set” on something…

Now… take a moment to consider that God… has His heart…set on you.

Isn’t it beautiful?

Ok…

hate to end these lovely reflections, but, Job continues his rant at God. Allow me to paraphrase: “If this is what your attention upon me brings, please, please just ignore me!”

For some reason this whole monologue of Job’s reminds me of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. He also holds one-sided conversations with God complaining about his life.

“Lord, I realize it’s no shame to be poor. But it’s no great honor either.”

At one point the young socialist Perchik says, “Money is the world’s curse.” To which Tevye replies, “May the Lord smite me with it! And may I never recover.”

Anyhoo… Not sure why Tevye popped into mind but he did and I shared it.

Moving on.

It’s time for us to meet Bildad, the shortest man in the Bible. He was a Shuhite.

My mom tells me that I repeated this joke in my kindergarten Sunday school class. When the teacher asked “Who was the shortest man in the Bible?” she was, of course, expecting one of us to say “Zaccheus.” But no. Little Lacy, the wonder child, had to say “Simon the Shuhite.” (Apparently I couldn’t quite pull off “Bildad” at age 5). I had no idea it was a joke and delivered the answer with the matter-of-factness of a Ph.D.; much to the amusement of my teacher, Barb. (The rest of you who are still going… “Shu-hite… Shu-hite…” You’ll get it eventually.)

But I digress. Again. On to chapter 8.

I give you leave to dislike Bildad the Shuhite. Right out of the gate, he comes down on Job with- “If your children have sinned against him, he has delivered them into the hand of their transgression.“ Job‬ ‭8‬:‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬.

What. The. Actual… Dude. Run down to Walmart and pick yourself up a gallon of the milk of human kindness! Need I remind us that there are TEN fresh graves in the family plot? Can we please quit calling these guys Job’s “friends?” Maybe Bildad thinks his is an improvement on Eiphaz’s argument. Let me compare them for you.

• Eliphaz: You must’ve sinned Job, that’s why God took your kids.
• Bildad: Your kids must’ve sinned, Job, that’s why God took them.

Can no one consider the possibility that somebody sinning is not a requirement for death? I can understand why they would think that. Genesis 3. Sin leads to death. But- the story of Job is introducing nuance to that truth. It reminds me of this:

“As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” John‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Shooo… se—lah. That. Will. Preach.

Bildad continues.., “If you will seek God and plead with the Almighty for mercy, if you are pure and upright, surely then he will rouse himself for you and restore your rightful habitation.“ Job‬ ‭8‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

You just need to “Do better, Job.” Bildad doesn’t know as we who read chapters 1 & 2 do, that the Almighty has actually already “roused Himself” on Job’s behalf. In fact, this whole thing was YHWH’s idea from which YHWH already fully intends to restore him because A) YHWH is good and B) Job is already “pure and upright.”

Bildad: “Behold, God will not reject a blameless man, nor take the hand of evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting. Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more.”Job‬ ‭8‬:‭20‬-‭22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Questions… (This is an open-book test. Peek back at chapters 1-2 if you need to.)

1. Had God rejected Job?

2. Did God consider Job “blameless”?

3. Did God “take the hand” (work with) an evildoer, (one who brings bad things)?

4. How many errors do you count in that opening statement of Bildad’s?

I think we’re beginning to see a pattern here. This conversation debate is leading us to drill down into the truth about the nature of relationship between God and man. And to probe the why in “Why do bad things happen to good people?”

Next up, more sorrow from Job and the next friend takes a stab at him.