Job 15:1

There is practically little new in this second series of the friends' addresses. Indeed, the principle to which they were committed gave little room for new or wider thoughts. They could only repeat their contention, cite the teachings of others, and appeal to their own experience and observation. Their illustrations were varied, true and beautiful, drawn from many sources. But the narrowness of their view spoils all they say. They are trying to reach a conclusion entirely contrary to the facts. No wonder, then, that the discussion loses the courtesy that marked its beginning, and turns more to threats and condemnation.

They came from districts noted for men of wisdom: "Is wisdom no more in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom vanished?" (Jer. 49:7)… His country, Teman, means "the south," the country lying under the sun, open to the light. But we have learned that while the south country is open to the light, it is apt to be dry and arid, as indeed Arabia was. It needs, as Achsah said, "springs of water." Light without life can never help.

Eliphaz went by experience; he would have solved this problem by what he had learned through the sight of his eyes, as he said, "As I have seen" (Job 4:8).

This reply of Eliphaz lacks the self-restraint he had shown in his first speech. At first he had at least spoken with some consideration for Job. Now he accuses him of gross sin and hypocrisy. He says in effect, if Job considered himself wise, why did he speak with empty knowledge, his words like the east wind? Eliphaz does not answer what Job has said. He accuses him of useless talk and speeches that can do no good.

The second series of discussion now opens with the appeal of Eliphaz. He shows less reserve about the growing sense in his soul that Job must lack integrity. As before, there is weighty truth in what he presses, and he presses it with great force. But applying it to the sufferer had no grounds, and so it was unjust in the highest degree.

They assumed that the present state of the world is an adequate expression of His judgment of men's ways. This assumption runs through the speeches of the three friends. At first they express it fairly calmly, but in the end it ripens into severity.

There cannot be a more instructive lesson to us on the danger of judging by appearances. It is beyond question a main point in this marvellous book. A quick look at the surface is never the way to form a righteous judgment, as the Lord Himself warned in His day. If it was wrong in them then, it is much more blameworthy in us. Here we find an entire book devoted to the purpose of guarding us from such a snare.

This is still a sore temptation of Satan. When the soul is passing through darkness, it often seems as if it could not pray — so different from what it was. "There now," says Satan, "is that not proof that you are nothing but a wicked person. Surely you must be a hypocrite."