Job 15:11
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Job 15:11
11 Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee?
Chapter Context
Job 15 is a wisdom dialogue chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of prayer, wisdom, holiness. Written during the patriarchal period (literary composition later), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Ancient wisdom traditions often wrestled with the problem of suffering and divine justice.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-35: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it demonstrates God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Job and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Job 15:11
11 Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee?
Analysis
'Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee?' Eliphaz asks if God's 'consolations' (תַּנְחֻמוֹת, tanchumot) are 'small' (מִמְּךָ מְעָט, mimkha me'at—too little) for Job. He implies the friends' words convey divine comfort Job arrogantly rejects. The second question suggests Job harbors 'secret' (לָאט, la'at) sins. This is gaslighting—reframing Job's legitimate pain as rejection of comfort and hinting at hidden evil. The friends' speeches haven't been consoling but accusatory. Calling spiritual abuse 'consolation' compounds harm. True comfort acknowledges pain (Romans 12:15, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4), not dismisses it. The Reformed pastoral tradition emphasizes genuine sympathy over pious platitudes.
Historical Context
Ancient wisdom friends were expected to bring comfort. Eliphaz here claims to have fulfilled this role, reinterpreting his accusations as divine consolation Job rejects through stubbornness.
Reflection
- How do we recognize when 'comfort' is actually spiritual gaslighting?
- What distinguishes genuine consolation from platitudes that dismiss pain?
Word Studies
- God: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) H410 - God (plural of majesty)