Let the Prophets Speak

Job has given up on convincing his friends, so he turns to God directly. If only it were possible to address God directly!

Eliphaz accuses Job of having been a dishonest judge, and that this is the source of his suffering.

Job responds to Tzofar, who claimed that the wicked suffer for their misdeeds. "Have you done your research?" That's not what happens in the real world! So many wicked people live a life full of pleasure and never suffer at all!

Tzofar is insulted, and addresses Job by describing the fate of the arrogant and dishonest sinner.

Job calls out Bildad and the others for their cruelty. Don't treat me like a stranger! Those who believe that anyone who is suffering deserves his fate, will lead the world toward ruin and violence.

Bildad knows how evil works. The evil person walks right into the trap and ends his life in suffering. If only life was so simple.

Job has given up on any chance of getting comfort from his friends. Where is my hope? Please God, at least You can be here for me.

Job is exasperated by his friends' obstinance. God knows I'm innocent, yet I lie here in suffering.

Eliphaz continues to insist that God's justice is apparent and evident, and that all suffering comes from sin.

"If I am so puny and mortal, why do You even bother with me?" Job asks of God. If You cared about me, You would not be so exacting and judgmental!

Job begs his friends to be honest with themselves. Please listen and let's speak for real.

The truth is NOT like what you claim! Good people suffer, evil people prosper, and no human explanation can understand the ways of God.

Job challenges his friends' arrogance. Do they really think they understand God's justice? Even the animals of the forest know better than you!

Tzofar continues the reasoning of Eliphaz and Bildad, but is even more direct. You must be a sinner, so repent and pray to God and your suffering will end.

God, You hold all the cards, You Created me, for what purpose? Only to suffer? Job begs God for a little peace.

Job continues is response to Bildad, if God is not a judge with whom we can interact, how do we find meaning in this world that makes no sense? Job grapples with theodicy and can't find an answer.

Job responds to Bildad, our system and sense of justice does not apply to God.

Bildad the Shuhite continues to berate Job for his angry speeches as he claims, as Eliphaz did, that God's justice is perfect.

Job calls out to God in his pain, what am I to you, only just a puny little human being to the Great Creator? Why do you even bother wasting your time making me suffer?

Job laments the seemingly meaningless suffering, and that the good old days are gone, never to return.

Job continues to rebuke his friends for twisting the truth in order to justify their simplistic world view. We see how the quest to explain the unexplainable can lead to cruelty.

In anguish and pain, Job responds to Eliphaz. Nothing can justify my suffering, says Job, don't insinuate that I an somehow at fault for these calamities, and friends should offer support and not platitudes.

Eliphaz completes his first speech in response to Job's suffering. In it he claims to know that God's justice is visible and real and therefore Job should accept it and turn to God for salvation.

Eliphaz insists that Job should pray to God and repent for his alleged sins.

Eliphaz declares that God is just and therefore the innocent cannot suffer. He therefore concludes that Job must not be innocent.