Job’s Frustration with His Friends
Big Idea: Job’s adversity shapes how he views God, his friends, and himself.
Understanding the Text
After Eliphaz’s first speech in Job 4–5, Job responds in chapters 6 and 7. In chapter 6, Job indirectly refers in a few places to what Eliphaz has said, but he does not actually refute him point by point. Job’s speech, rather, is an emotional outburst in which he defends himself and attacks his friends. Job is clearly frustrated with his painful situation (6:1–13) and with what he sees as the disloyalty of his friends (6:14–23). He demands that they speak honestly and kindly to him (6:24–30).
Like the friends, Job assumes the general validity of the retribution principle. He cannot understand why his life has turned so dramatically from blessing to adversity. I…