Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+015

 

 

 

CHAPTER 15 (ESV)

1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:

 

2 “Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge,

and fill his belly with the east wind?

3 Should he argue in unprofitable talk,

or in words with which he can do no good?

4 But you are doing away with the fear of God

and hindering meditation before God.

5 For your iniquity teaches your mouth,

and you choose the tongue of the crafty.

6 Your own mouth condemns you, and not I;

your own lips testify against you.

 

REFLECTION:

After the first round of conversation, each friend went on to elaborate their arguments in the same order. Job responded one by one. Eliphaz’s tone was even ruder, more intense and more condemned, but he did not say anything new. He first said that Job’s words were empty and useless, and then emphasized that Job was a sinner. According to Eliphaz, the wisdom and experience of their ancestors were more valuable than Job’s personal thoughts. Eliphaz believed that his own words were as true as the words of God, and his arrogance was obvious. We should be wary of not repeating Eliphaz’s arrogance and coldness in ourselves! Those who use truth as a weapon to attack others are not those who are keeping the truth. The truth of God is for us to forsake sin and continue to grow. The only thing we have to do is to obey God’s truth and ask God to build us up and make fundamental changes in our own lives.

 

PRAYER:

God, please search my heart and see if there is any arrogance or prejudice towards others within me. Although I have a love for Your Word, I easily use Your truth as a weapon to attack others, rather than truly upholding the truth. Please use Your truth to help me abandon sin and continually grow, to follow Your truth, and to shape my life to become more like the Lord Jesus.

 

HYMN:

Speak Now Jesus – www.youtube.com/watch?v=13vIikUCzUg