[Job 1c2]
We are all born weak and helpless.
All lead the same short, troubled life.
We grow and wither as quickly as flowers;
we disappear like shadows.
So my life is, Father. Please accomplish all of your wonderful purposes (Isaiah 40:6-8).
Nothing clean can ever come
from anything… unclean…
Indeed (James 3:11-12).
[Elifaz 2]
If you had your way, no one would fear God;
no one would pray to him.
Job is tearing down the false formulas. So be it (Hebrews 12:24; 2 Corinthiens 10:4-5).
…you are excited and glare at us in anger.
Job is winking at them in the French translation I have. He is trying to shake his friends into seeing him as a person rather than as a threat to their way of looking at the world (Job 6:28).
The wicked who oppress others
will be in torment as long as they live.
Voices of terror will scream in their ears,
and robbers attack when they think they are safe.
They have no hope of escaping from darkness,
for somewhere a sword is waiting to kill them,
and vultures are waiting to eat their corpses.
They know their future is dark;
disaster, like a powerful king,
is waiting to attack them.That is the fate of those
who shake their fists at God
and defy the Almighty.
Elifaz is describing the world as he wants to see it – as his formulas would dictate it should be. May I see things as they truly are, Lord!
[Job 2a1]
If you were in my place and I in yours,
I could say everything you are saying.
I could shake my head wisely
and drown you with a flood of words.
I could strengthen you with advice
and keep talking to comfort you.But nothing I say helps,
and being silent does not calm my pain.
The routine. There are times when nothing will comfort.
There is someone in heaven
to stand up for me and take my side.
There is! Thank you, Jesus (Revelation 1:5; 3:14)!