Chapters 3-5 | Daniel Weeks

As we approach chapter three, Job has been through so much in such a short period. He has practically lost everything except his wife and his life. His wealth has disappeared. His children are dead. He is in agonizing pain, covered with boils all over his body. Through all of that, he still refuses to follow his wife’s advice of “Curse God and die.”[1] Go ahead and read chapters three through five, as that will be the text for this article. These three chapters can be broken down into two sections. Chapter three is Job cursing the day of his birth, along with even the night of his conception. I will warn you that there are some potentially triggering statements made in chapter three. As one reads it, the pain and agony that Job is going through can be felt through his words. Only someone genuinely suffering would say some of the things that he says. I strongly urge you not to read between the lines of what Job is saying.

Through all of this, Job is not expressing suicidal thoughts. You can see that he comes right to the line but never breaches it. Suicidal thoughts are demonic and must be treated as such. Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Life, and the enemy would love nothing more than for our suffering to lead to our death.

If you are going through suffering and are having suicidal ideations, please tell someone immediately. Cast those thoughts down and begin to speak life over yourself. "You will live and not die."[2] Your life is of immense value, and you would be missed deeply. No matter how bleak the situation might seem, please know that all things are possible, and as you will soon see in the book of Job, God brings beauty from ashes. As we approach the end of chapter three, we still get the same feeling that Job’s biggest problem was a theological problem. Job feels as if, somehow, God has forgotten the same hedge that had always protected him now seems to hedge him into suffering. This is why theology matters! This is why we must study Scripture to answer those deep, pressing questions from which all the deep questions of life are derived:

1. Who is God?

2. Who am I in Jesus?

3. Why am I here?

Job is searching and seeking these answers. As the book slowly progresses, you will see Job finding the answer to these questions.

Chapter four begins with Job’s buddy, Eliphaz, speaking to him. Mind you, Eliphaz has been sitting in silence with Job for seven days and, apparently, now feels like he has the right to speak into Job’s life. What ensues is brutal, flat-out wrong, and extremely insensitive to Job’s plight in life. At first glance, it seems like we should be “amening” to Eliphaz because much of what he says is true. Yet, as many do, he is making the wrong application of the truth to Job’s life. Eliphaz is certain that Job has sinned and that is why he is experiencing so much suffering, but the heavenly discussion that we are privileged to know about clearly tells us that Job is not suffering because of his sin. This kind of advice, this kind of counsel, is dangerous! We must ask the Spirit of Wisdom to endue us with words beyond our intellect, especially when our friends are suffering deeply.

Wisdom has two components. You will see that Eliphaz only understands one of those components:

1. Godly knowledge

This is the part Eliphaz had. Just as he reasons, God does give rain on the earth and sends water to the fields.[3] God also lifts those who are humble.[4] The list goes on and on; Eliphaz makes a plethora of truthful statements.

2. Righteous application

This is where Eliphaz misses it. Filled with so many truths about God and his nature, he thinks simply reciting these truths is enough for Job, but Eliphaz is wrong. He begins with the premise that Job has sinned, and now everything he says flows from that. Eliphaz un-righteously makes application of Godly knowledge.

It has been said that church hurt is the worst hurt. Why? Because there is just enough truth in it to make one question oneself deeply. Let us all learn from this! I deeply believe we can learn two invaluable truths from these three chapters:

1. Seek wisdom before you give advice to someone who is suffering. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you not just words to say but the right words, and that your Godly knowledge would be righteously applied. Be a vessel of healing, not hurting.

2. When suffering, we must understand that people can help carry the load. However, sometimes their help will make it worse, and even at its best, never be able to fill the void left by our circumstances. We need someone greater. Someone who understands what it is like to go through deep suffering and not sin.

Hebrews 4:15

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

“If only I could reach out

If only I could find

If only there was someone who had me on their mind

From every moment ‘til now

Beginning and the end

If only there’s a Savior

If only there’s a Man

Jesus”

“If Only (Jesus)” – House Of God

This is the Bible. Every word on every page whispers the name “Jesus.”

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[1] Job 2:9. ESV.

[2] Ps. 118:17. ESV.

[3] Job 5:5.ESV.

[4] Job 5:11. ESV.

[5] If Only (Jesus). "House Of God, 2023.