Mark A. Copeland
The Book Of Job
The Great Debate: 3rd Cycle Of Speeches (22-31)


OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS SECTION

1) To examine the conclusion of the "great debate", and the feeble efforts of Job's friends to convince
him that he is deserving of his great suffering

2) To observe how Job maintains his claim to innocence while stating his complaint that God is not
hearing him

SUMMARY

Eliphaz once again takes the initiative, rebuking Job for his claims of innocence. Accusing Job of great
wickedness, for the first time he specifies sins of which he believes Job must be guilty to have suffered
so greatly. Charging Job of cherishing wicked ways and trusting that God doesn't see it, Eliphaz ends
with another appeal for Job to return to God that he might enjoy renewed prosperity (22:1-30). Job's
response is to once again express his longing to find God so he can present his side. While maintaining
his claims of integrity and how he has treasured God's words, he admits he is awed by God's dealings.
He wonders why the wicked often sin with impunity, but then says what he thinks should and will
eventually happen to them. He concludes his response to Eliphaz with a challenge to show him where
he has spoken falsely (23:1-24:25).

Bildad's third speech is short, adding little. Speaking briefly of God's greatness, he posits how anyone
can be righteous before God (25:1-6). Job replies with questions which imply that he considers Bildad's
counsel to have been of no help. Perhaps to illustrate how they have not been much help, Job
demonstrates his own ability to describe God's greatness (26:1-14).

Zophar remains silent in this third cycle of speeches, so Job continues with his discourse. Though he
feels that God has taken away his justice and made his soul bitter, he refuses to accept his friends'
counsel and maintains his innocence. He accuses them of nonsense and describes what God will do with
the wicked (27:1-23). Job then says where true wisdom is to be found, that it comes from God Who has
revealed it to man (28:1-28). As his words draw near to their end, Job recounts how it was in the past
when he blessed by God and respected by men (29:1-25). In contrast, the present finds him being
mocked by others, suffering in pain, with God not answering his plea to be heard (30:1-31). He
concludes by listing various sins, which if he had committed them, he agrees he would have been guilty
of punishment. In this way he again maintains his claim to innocence and not deserving his great
suffering (31:1-40). For Job and his three friends, this ends the "Great Debate".

OUTLINE

I. ELIPHAZ SPEAKS AND JOB RESPONDS (22:1-24:25)

A. ELIPHAZ'S FINAL RESPONSE (22:1-30)
1. He rebukes Job again for his claims of innocence (22:1-3)

The Book Of Job 27
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