Study notes

Job 24

Introducing JobWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

4:1–31:40 Section

Eliphaz and Bildad each spoke three times. Zophar spoke twice. All of their speeches are recorded as long poems.

Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar explained the reason why they thought Job was suffering. Throughout his life, Eliphaz had noticed that trouble came to foolish people. Suffering was how they were taught as well as punished for their sins. Eliphaz believed that this was a pattern for how things work in the world. He believed that it was happening in Job’s case.

Bildad had noticed that God didn’t bring judgement against people who hadn’t sinned. This was a lesson that people had taught for hundreds of years. Bildad believed it was a pattern for how things work in the world. So he thought that Job and his family were being punished for their sins.

Zophar was sure that ungodly people are always punished. He believed that this is how things had always been in the world. He was sure that God was bringing judgement on Job for sins Job had committed.

Job answered Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar each time after they spoke. Job was sad and angry because his friends said things that weren’t helpful. Many of the things they said were true. But the patterns they noticed in life didn’t apply to Job’s case. Job hadn’t sinned in secret. Job didn’t claim to have never sinned. But he knew that God wasn’t punishing him for his sins. Job knew that he had lived the way God wanted people to live. His friends didn’t understand him. They accused him falsely.

Job believed that God did understand him. Job believed that God knew that he wasn’t guilty of secret sins. Job wanted God to explain why his life had become so difficult. Job was very confused by God and angry at him. But Job continued to have respect for God and to avoid evil. He did this even though he was suffering terribly. This showed that Job had wisdom and understanding.

24:1

reserve times: God sets times for judgment (Ecclesiastes 3:17; 8:6; Daniel 2:21; Luke 21:22–24). But we do not know when they are (Acts 1:7). He will reveal them at the right time (1 Thessalonians 5:1–28; 1 Timothy 6:15).

24:2

The books of the law, wisdom literature, and prophecy all condemned moving markers of boundaries (Deuteronomy 19:14; 27:17; Proverbs 22:28; 23:10; see study note on Hosea 5:10).

24:2–17

This list of criminal behaviors first emphasizes crimes against weak people (24:2–12). Then it examines the criminals themselves (24:13–17).

24:3

The law prohibited taking essential possessions as security or a down payment for a loan (22:6–9; Deuteronomy 24:6, 10–13, 17–21).

24:6

glean the vineyards of the wicked: Job described the desperate situation of poor people. If someone stole their fields like in the case of Naboth's vineyard, the poor person would harvest for the thieves instead of for themselves (24:2; see 1 Kings 21:1–29). They would only get the bits that remained. If the poor had to glean from fields of the wicked people, they would receive nothing (Leviticus 19:10; 23:22). But if they would try to gather from the fields of just people, they would be something left for them (Leviticus 19:9–10; 23:22; Ruth 2:1–23).

24:7

Those who did not lend fairly sometimes took the clothing or blankets of those in debt as a security for the loan. This left those in debt without proper clothing or covering (22:6; Exodus 22:26–27; Deuteronomy 24:11–13; Amos 2:8).

24:9

the nursing child of the poor is seized for a debt: See 2 Kings 4:1; Nehemiah 5:1–5; Matthew 18:25.

24:11

Forcing workers to tread the winepresses while they go thirsty violates the principle of letting workers enjoy some of the produce they are harvesting (see Deuteronomy 25:4; compare 2 Timothy 2:6).

24:12

yet God charges no one with wrongdoing: Job thought that, unlike God's usual character, God did not help those treated wrong or stop evil people from hurting their victims (Exodus 2:23–24; Psalm 12:5; Job 24:2–12; 24:13–17).

24:18–24

These ideas seem to go against Job's observations. Some scholars think Bildad or Zophar might have said them. However, Job might have been speaking against evil people, making fun of his friends' opinions by quoting them. Or he might have meant that the fate of evil people also affects those in a right relationship with God. His friends described this earlier (5:2–7; 15:17–25; 8:8–19; 18:5–21; 20:4–29; 21:23–26).

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources