Job's suffering was tremendous. He lost everything he owned, his children died, his health was failing and he was covered in painful sores for months. He thought that death would be his ultimate outcome. But this time as I read the book of Job, I noticed the sarcastic remarks time after time. So I concentrated just on those.

Job's three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar did not use compassion in dealing with Job's circumstance and the truth they spoke was sometimes twisted to persuade Job to see things their way. They even claimed their wisdom was given supernaturally. As time went by they tried to convince Job he was struck by God because of sin in his life. This was not true and Job knew it. He refused to condemn himself and held to his integrity. His friends, however, would not believe Job was blameless. Their remarks were cruel but Job fought back. In my sick sense of humor, I find these remarks hilarious!

It starts off slow at first, but as time goes by their words grow bolder.

And so the battle goes . . . .

Job Speaks-Chapter 3: May the day of my birth perish, and the night it was said, 'A boy is born!' That day, may it turn to darkness; May God above not care about it.

Eliphaz Replies-Chapters 4-5: Consider now; Who, being innocent has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed? As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it. A word was secretly brought to me. Blessed is the man whom God corrects, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

Job Replies-Chapters 6-7: A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends. But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams. Now you too, have proved to be of no help. Do you mean to correct what I say and treat the words of a despairing man as wind? You would even cast lots for the fatherless and barter away your friend. Therefore I will not keep silent. I will speak out in anguish of my spirit.

Bildad Speaks-Chapter 8: How long will you say such things? Your words are a blustering wind. When your children sinned against Him, He gave them over to the penalty of their sin. Surely God does not reject a blameless man or strengthen the hands of evildoers.

Job Replies-Chapters 9-10: Although I am blameless, I have no concern for myself; I despise my own life. Even if I washed myself with snow and my hands with washing soda, you would plunge me into a slime pit so that even my clothes would detest me. Turn away from me so I can have a moment's joy before I go to the place of no return.

Zophar Speaks-Chapter 11: Are all these words to go unanswered? Will your idle talk reduce men to silence? You say to God, "My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in Your sight." Surely He recognizes deceitful men and when He sees evil, does He not take note?

Job Replies-Chapters 12-14: Doubtless you are the people and wisdom will die with you! I am not inferior to you. Who does not know all these things? What you know, I also know. But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God. You, however, smear me with lies. You are worthless physicians, all of you! If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom. Your truths are proverbs of ashes. Your defenses are defenses of clay. At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again.

Eliphaz Speaks-Chapter 15: Would a wise man answer with empty notions or fill his belly with the hot east wind? Your own mouth condemns you, not mine; Your own lips testify against you. Are you the first man ever born? Were you brought forth before the hills? Do you limit wisdom to yourself? Let me tell you what I have seen, what wise men have declared.

Job Replies-Chapters 16-17: I have heard many things like these; Miserable comforters are you all! Will your long-winded speeches never end? What ails you that you keep on arguing? I could also speak like you if you were in my place. But come on, all you, try again! I will not find a wise man among you.

Bildad Speaks-Chapter 18: When will you end these speeches? Be sensible, and then we can talk. Why are we regarded as cattle and considered stupid in your sight? You who tear yourself to pieces in your anger, is the earth to be abandoned for your sake?

Job Replies-Chapter 19: How long will you torment me and crush me with words? Ten times now you have reproached me. If it is true that I have gone astray, my error remains my concern alone. If indeed you would exalt yourselves above me and use my humiliation against me. My breath is offensive to my wife; I am loathsome to my own brothers. Why do you pursue me as God does? Will you never get enough of my flesh? . . . . you should fear the sword yourselves.

Zophar Speaks-Chapter 20: My troubled thoughts prompt me to answer because I am greatly disturbed. I hear a rebuke that dishonors me, and my understanding inspires me to reply.

Job Replies-Chapter 21: Listen carefully to my words; Let this be the consolation you give me. Bear with me while I speak, and after I have spoken, mock on. I know full well what you are thinking, the schemes by which you would wrong me. You say, "Where now is the great man's house; The tent where the wicked men lived?" So how can you console me with your nonsense? Nothing is left of your answers but falsehood!

Eliphaz Speaks-Chapter 22: Will you keep to the path that evil men have trod? Submit to God and be at peace with Him; In this way prosperity will come to you if you remove wickedness far from your tent!

Job Replies-Chapters 23-24: But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. I have kept to His way without turning aside. If this is not so, who can prove me false and reduce my words to nothing?

Bildad Speaks-Chapter 25: How then can a man be righteous before God? Even if the moon is not bright and the stars are not pure in His eyes, how much less man, who is but a maggot---a son of man who is only a worm!

Job Replies-Chapters 26-30: How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved the arm that is feeble! What advice you have offered to one without wisdom! And what great insight you have displayed! Who has helped you utter these words? And whose spirit spoke from your mouth? I will never admit you are right. Till I die, I will not deny my integrity. I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it. I will teach you about the power of God and the ways of the Almighty I will not conceal. You have all seen this yourselves. Why then, this meaningless talk? How I long for the months gone by. For the days when God watched over me! But now they mock me, men younger than I, whose fathers I would have disdained to put with my sheep dogs. Oh, that I had someone to hear me!

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