Sin Prompts Your Mouth

The “second dialogue cycle” begins here as we return to the argument of Eliphaz, from whom we last heard in chapters 4 and 5. There Eliphaz operated from the assumption that humans are “born to trouble” (5:7) and therefore “reap” what they “sow” (4:8). It is impossible for “a mortal to be righteous before God.” Since even God’s servants, the angels, are untrustworthy, “how much more” are humans subject to “error” (4:18–19). As a result, Job must deserve his suffering. His only hope is to accept God’s discipline (5:17) and throw himself upon the mercy of God (5:8).

Eliphaz does not change his argument much in chapter 15, although he criticizes Job more harshly. The problem is still that humans are impure and as a result are unable to claim righteousness before God (15:1…