The Conversation Dies Out (Job 23-25)

At this point, the dialogue is starting to break down. From here on out, the book is going to be dominated by just three voices: Job’s, Elihu’s, and God’s. Bildad in chapter 25 (and possibly Zophar at the end of 27) will interrupt one more time, but that speech is perfunctory, and empty. 

Here, Job delivers two powerful monologues that are tied together thematically. First, he laments that he cannot find God. He wants to plead, argue, and demand answers, but he does not know that God will even hear him. Second, he protests passionately at the seeming injustice that evil men—obviously and openly evil men—too often suffer no consequences. In both cases Job is voicing the very real and universally felt complaint against the injustice in our broken, sinful world. Why do people suffer for things that they did not do? And why do so many not suffer for the things that they should? 

The answer is not given yet. But it is important to see that the Bible addresses these feelings and concerns. It is a problem. It is serious. And we need to know an answer. Thus, Job…