READ JOB 15
Eliphaz begins a second round of speeches. Of the three friends, he speaks first in each round which gives readers the impression that he is the oldest. The second round of speeches is similar to the first round when all three friends accused Job of sinning to cause his losses and sores all over his flesh.
In Job 15:1-16, Eliphaz tells Job he is acting like a wise man, but actually he is foolish. In the rest of the chapter, Eliphaz again claims Job is suffering because of sin in his life. He tells Job how the wicked suffer many troubles.
READ JOB 16
As usual, Job responds to Eliphaz. This time he responds with heightened frustration. Not only does he accuse Eliphaz with foolish and critical words, but he also accuses all three friends of being "miserable comforters." Job flips the switch on them by saying he would help them if they were suffering.
In Job 16:6-18, Job says that both God and others have turned against him. He believes someone is presenting his case before God. (Remember, Job doesn't know that Satan met with God on two occasions and got permission to make him suffer).
READ JOB 17
Job continue speaking, but he turns his speech away from Eliphaz and calls upon God to defend him because Job has become a mockery to those around him when he once has been respected in the land of Uz.
Job revisits the notion of death for the sixth time. He is losing all hope and resigns himself to death as he looks on his seemingly hopeless situation.
READ JOB 18
Bildad takes his turn to speak for the second time. His speech follows the same pattern of his first speech and the two speeches of Eliphaz. All the speeches have been centered around rebuking Job. He rebukes Job for reacting in his grief and not speaking reasonably to him and the other two friends. In other words, he thinks Job is not being reasonable.
Bildad says to Job, "When will you end these speeches? Be sensible. Why are we regarded as cattle and considered stupid in your sight?"
Eliphaz told Job how the wicked suffer many troubles. Now, Bildad describes the terrible woes of the wicked. One thing is certain. The friends are all in agreement that Job is suffering because of sin in his life.
READ JOB 19
Job defends himself against what Bildad has said. He feels persecuted and complains that his friends have insulted him 10 times when they have accused him of committing some sin.
Job knows he has not sinned. Instead, he thinks God has caused him to suffer because God must have something against him. Job now contends that he has been forsaken by his family and friends.
Job makes a wish in Job 19:23-24. He wishes that his words could be eternally chiseled into a rock.
Job is distressed that no one believes he is innocent. He believes if his words were eternally chiseled into a rock, people would believe him, and one day he will be vindicated and will see God for himself.
Job concludes at the end of this chapter that he knows his Redeemer lives and that in the end, he will stand upon the earth. There is a shift in Job's thinking. Readers notice there is a glimmer of hope in Job's speech. He is not talking about death and being stillborn. He is now talking about wanting to see God for himself.
According to the last verse in this chapter (Job 19:29Z), Job tells his friends that he has not sinned. Instead, they are sinning by falsely accusing him of sinning. Job did not wish them harm, but he warns them that "they should fear the sword themselves for wrath will bring punishment upon them because of what they are doing to him."
Based on the cycle that the speeches have taken, who will speak next in Job 20?
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