JOB 15

In considering an individual passage in the Bible, sometimes the best context or parallel to the passage is found elsewhere in the same book but not immediately adjacent to the passage in question.

Here is a random example taken from the Old Testament illustrating the importance of such proximate contexts:

“The wicked writhe in pain all their days...they are destined for the sword...distress and anguish terrify them...they will live in desolate cities in houses that no one should inhabit...they will not be rich.” (Job 15:20-35)  And there are similar contentions found in the last half of Job 15.

A simple-minded approach is to say, “It is in the Bible; therefore I believe it.” But let's look at the various contexts that need to be taken into account. In the first place, there are quotation marks around the passages above, and so we need to find out who is talking, what are his credentials, to whom he is talking, and why. The answer to the first question is found at the beginning of that chapter – it is Eliphaz the Temanite.

You then need to trace the conversation back to chapter 12 to find out that Eliphaz is talking to Job as part of a debate. Eliphaz spells out the sources for his ideas in Job 15:17-18. “I will show you; listen to me; what I have seen I will declare – what sages have told, and their ancestors have not hidden...”

In other words, he is basing his opinions entirely on what he has personally witnessed, what wise men have taught, and what passes for the wisdom of the ages -- none of which are exactly direct revelations from God.

But the context within the book doesn't stop there. We need to move forward to see Job's direct reply to Eliphaz in 16:1-3: “I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all. Have windy words no limit? Or what provokes you that you keep on talking?” So we need to weigh the opinions of a righteous man like Job (We know he is righteous from the first chapter.) against those of someone who may have a very incomplete picture of the truth like Eliphaz, keeping in mind that Job at times is almost as much in the dark as his friends. 

Of course, by the end of the book all doubts are resolved as to who has the most correct ideas when the ultimate Judge says to Eliphaz, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends; for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” (Job 42:7)

Notice that to catch all of these pertinent contexts for the passage in question, we have had to be acquainted with the whole book of Job from the first chapter to the last in order to pick them up.