Job 25-28

Job 25

Bildad again reiterates that men cannot be pure before God. He focuses on the pure and majesty of God in the heavens. For instance, he asks a question which implies that humans cannot count God's heavenly army.

This chapter is really short and it appears he is losing steam with coming up with something new to say.

Job 26

In response, Job rhetorically ask how the wisdom of his friends have helped the powerless, presumably Job. Job even questions the source of Bildad's wisdom and asks "whose spirit speaks through you?". (v. 4). Although it had been Eliphaz who had gotten his ideas from a demonic encounter (4:12-19), Bildad seems to have adopted those ideas about people being unable to be pure before God.

Job then goes on to speak about the power and majesty of God, perhaps to say to Bildad, "yes, I know this." Job adds more about the power of God in different realms, not just the heavens that Bildad pointed out. Job speaks of the underworld where the dead tremble (huh?), the moon, the foundation of the earth, and God's victory over the sea god Rahab, meaning chaos. This seems to be an allusion to Genesis 1 in contrast with the Enuma Elish creation story.

Job 27

Job maintains his faith in God and his innocence. He will not tell lies. He is not swayed by the speeches by his friends. He reiterates their position, that the wicked rich will will be cut off from God and lose all their wealth and children.

Job 28

Job makes a long comparison of wisdom to precious metals. People know where to mine and how to smelt metals. Wisdom is not found in this way, but it is more valuable. Wisdom is found from the fear of God. This is very similar to the opening chapters of Proverbs, both in the conclusion as well as the comparison to money. For Job to state this now, he implies to his friends that he is wise because he fears God. Again, he is maintaining his innocence.

Thus far, I wonder if Job is recovering. He seems to have directed his anger from God and towards his friends. He even waxed optimistic about God a few times.