THE FRIENDS of Job continue to accuse him of speaking rashly and insist that he must have committed some sin to provoke Yahweh’s punishment. Zophar the Naamathite, in particular, is almost devoid of sympathy.
For his part, Job rebukes his friends, calling them “miserable comforters”, and longs for death. Yet, in his despair, Job has an understanding of the ways of God that, while not perfect, far surpasses that of his friends.
We see references to the Divine Council (shown explicitly to us in the first two chapters of Job), an understanding of the afterlife (see Dr. Michael S. Heiser’s comments of Sheol here), and possibly even a glimpse of the Messiah in Job 16:19:
Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven,
and he who testifies for me is on high.
And Derek was right–the Egyptian records he referred to are called the Execration Texts (although they refer to the Anakim rather than the Rephaim).
Job 14:13 (that thou wouldst keep me secret) could be pointing to a pre-tribulation rapture.
Job 14: 17 could refer to the atonement (cover over my sins).
Eliphaz doesn’t seem to believe any man could be righteous before God in Job 15:15.
Job 16: 9-13 could refer to Jesus’s betrayal and scourging.
Sorry for my lateness in listening to this study but I would like to let you know the link to Dr. Michael S. Heiser leads to a page not working. Is there another link to his article?
Yes, try this link instead.
Hey there Derek and Sharon,
I LOVE this study. Thank you so much for it.
I have always had a problem with the phrase “Why do bad things happen to good people.” It assumes two things that are not true. 1 – that there are bad things. All things happen for good…” and 2- There are no good people. There is none righteous, no not one. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Really what we are saying is that we don’t like it when things that we don’t like happen to people we do like. But that seems to be a little limiting to God doesn’t it?
Believe me I have cried my share of tears over things I have suffered and over those close to me have suffered. Some of them were a result of my own weakness and sin but some were not. But as I look back, all of them worked together for good. I learned so much more from those things I suffered than from those that came with little strife. I’m sure I am not alone.
Again I love you both and am so thankful for your ministry. Be strong and courageous.