Job 14-16

Job 14 continued as Job complained to God about how God "fixed" His eyes on and made judgment on the insignificant human kind. Men are so short-lived, like a flower that springs up and withers away. Even for a tree there is hope, because it will spout again after being cut down. No such hope for men. They would be "overpowered" by God and would feel nothing but pain of their own bodies...

Chapter 15 of Job contains Eliphaz reply to Job. He is no longer sympathetic to Job. He accuses Job of trying to argue for his innocence; he is pretty mean to Job - saying that Job thinks too highly of his wisdom. Eliphaz reiterated that men are bound to sin, and they will be doomed. "They conceive trouble and give birth to evil."

Job's reply in Ch. 16: his friends were not very helpful in all their long-winded speeches and judgmental comments! Job uses the analogy of God being a lion who "tears in his anger and gnashes his teeth", attacking him and turning him over to evil people. The chapter concludes with Job's summary of his suffering as he still claims his innocence: "my hands have been free of violence and my prayer is pure."

Not easy chapters to read..............!!