You're right. God actually says
two good things about Job, not just one.
Job 42:7,8
And so it was, after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for
you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you
according to yourfolly; because
you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.”
Notice the comparison is the words of the 3 friends with the words of Job. These are the words that occur during chapters 4 - 31.
As for what God says to Job, I realize you are insistent on a negative connotation, with which I disagree. God is asking questions of Job,
He is not making accusations. Also, reneweddaybyday addressed your points about this very well in Post #526..
Job was struggling to understand what went wrong in his
relationship with God.
Also, do you have any response to the substance of that explanation about
relationship in my previous post.? Care to comment?
If your friend suddenly stopped talking to you, refused to answer your calls, and offered you no help when you were suffering, how would you respond? Would you think that was normal? Or would you reach out to them, and ask them what's wrong? Wouldn't you consider that, perhaps unknowingly, you had done something to offend them? Wouldn't you ask them if you had? Wouldn't you try to find out? Who wouldn't do that with a friend?
It is not evident God is speaking of Job. In fact, this description is a perfect fit for the most pompous, arrogant one of the bunch: Elihu.
Incorrect. Job does not exalt himself above God. Elihu accuses Job of this, but
Job professes the opposite. For example, Job 9:1-8.
Job 9:1-8
Then Job answered and said,
2I know
it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?
3If he will contend with Him, he cannot answer Him one of a thousand.
4He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened
himself against Him, and hath prospered?
5Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in His anger.
6Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.
7Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.
8Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.
By the way, it sure sounds like God is praising and blessing God here, is he not?
And read all of
Job chapter 28, too, where God is glorified by Job for His wisdom, among others things. Are you able to comment on these?
Are you able to answer any of these other questions?
1. If Job is full of pride and self-righteousness, why is that information not included in chapters 1 and 2?
2. Is it your belief then that God's mission in allowing Job to suffer is because Job is so proud that God must resort to allowing him to be viciously attacked and beaten into submission? If Job was "proud" as you claim, was God not able to confront Job in another way, and lead him to repentance by simply convicting him of sin? Doesn't God's kindness lead to repentance?
3. Have you ever responded to the words of the apostle
James and what he writes about Job in his epistle? James commends Job for persevering and enduring through his trial. One of the main themes of James's epistle is the believer being tested in their faith, and then he provides Job as an example. If Job is suffering because of his "pride" why would James commend him, and hold him up as an example? What say you? According to you, is Job persevering in stubborn pride and self-righteousness? That seems to be how you see the story. So why would James commend Job for that?
4. If Job is full of pride and self-righteousness, as you are accusing him, then why does Job cry out to God, seek for Him, and continue desiring to have his relationship restored with Him? Wouldn't a proud person simply be done with God after suffering so horrendously? These concepts in your interpretation appear to be completely incompatible. Can you explain?
5. If it's your position that Job is in "sin" then
where is the sacrifice for his sin? Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins. The 3 friends are convicted by God of sin, and God requires a sacrifice to be made for their atonement. So if you are accusing Job of sinning, where is the sacrifice required for his sin?
Do you have any answers to these questions? Can you answer them?