Job 16 and 17

  1. Job replies and remarks that his friends are of no value to him at all (16:1-5). Job ascribes the work of his friends in his direction (16:6-17), and that work is one that is ungodly and destructive; in fact, it is the Lord’s doing that all this is being experienced as his friends converse with him. Job makes an appeal that his cry is always heard (16:18-22). Again, Job’s speaks of the lack of wisdom among his friends (17:1-5). Though Job is physically worn out he will still hold to his righteousness (17:6-9). Since Job’s friends have no wisdom to help him understand he resigns himself to the inevitability of death and hopelessness (17:10-16).
  2. Application. Comforting another person does not come easily for some. Job valued his friends, at this point, as miserable comforters; they were of no value to him. Sometimes we find ourselves in a spot where we don’t know what to do, what to say, or how to reply when one says something. Sometimes it is best to say nothing at all. We have learned, by now, that one thing that ought not to be done is for one to take a predisposition and apply that to another’s circumstance. One’s comforting ability is fraught with failure.
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