Listen! Listen! Job 6-7

 Job 6:24-27 (ESV)

24 “Teach me, and I will be silent;
make me understand how I have gone astray.
25 How forceful are upright words!
But what does reproof from you reprove?
26 Do you think that you can reprove words,
when the speech of a despairing man is wind?
27 You would even cast lots over the fatherless,
and bargain over your friend.

Have you ever had someone see your despair, complaint about life and destitute situation, and instead of being gracious to you (offering words that encourage, support and even correct) they chastise, ridicule and point out a false reason for your dilemma?   If so, you could say the above words to them.  These are Job’s words reacting to the counsel given to him from one of his friends, in the proceeding chapter.   Eliphaz had simply jumped right in to telling Job the reason for his situation. He spent little time listening to Job.  Eliphaz’s points to Job was that the reason for his condition was his sinfulness and this was God’s retribution on him for that sun!  Notice the points Job makes in response:

Verse 24 - He admits that he is willing to hear advice from friends.  That is not his dispute.  He is NOT avoiding being reproved.  He just wants them to come with something that benefits him.  There is nothing more powerful than someone in strife that comes for help, with a listening ear (Proverbs 25:12 (ESV) Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.)

Verse 25 - Job challenges Eliphaz (and his other friends who are about to speak to him) to speak “upright” (“honest” in the NIV) words.   He believes that Eliphaz’s last speech was at best a distortion of the truth, if not an all out lie.   If we bring wisdom to others it ought to be wisdom based upon truth! (Ephesians 4:25 (ESV). Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.)

Verse 26 - Job accuses Eliphaz of distorting his words and treating them a wind (empty and aimless, as on commentary mentions).   When we talk to others about their condition it is paramount that we allow their words to carry weight in the conversation.  We can often discount what someone is saying (feeling) and not consider their framework.  Job is in a bad position.  But, that doesn’t mean his words don’t matter.   Eliphaz discounted Job’s words (and, we will see at the end, God’s Word).  

Verse 27 - Job’s interpretation of these friends (who said they came to comfort him) was that they not only disregarded his words, they were doing so in such a way that it seemed, to Job, like they were treating him like someone who was cheapening the needs of an orphan or neglecting the needs of a friend.  Eliphaz so much wanted to maintain his argument, he was doing so to Job’s detriment.   

When we counsel others in need, it is easy to think they are blinded by that need. It is easy to think since we are not IN IT, we know everything ABOUT IT!   Job simply wants his “comforter” to consider his situation with the weight it deserves and to hear his words and needs, verse presenting their argument.