11-13. How does Job open the debate, what accusation does Eliphaz make, and what is Job’s spirited reply?

¹¹ The debate: round one (3:1–14:22). From this point on, the drama unfolds in sublime Hebrew poetry. Job calls down evil on the day of his birth and wonders why God has permitted him to go on living.

¹² In response, Eliphaz accuses Job of lacking integrity. The upright have never perished, he declares. He recalls a night vision in which a voice told him that God has no faith in his servants, especially those of mere clay, the dust of the earth. He indicates that Job’s suffering is a discipline from Almighty God.

18, 19. (a) With what ridicule does Eliphaz open the second round of debate? (b) How does Job regard his companions’ “comfort,” and for what does he look to Jehovah?

¹⁸ The debate: round two (15:1–21:34). In opening the second debate, Eliphaz ridicules Job’s knowledge, saying he has ‘filled his belly with the east wind.’ (15:2) Again he disparages Job’s claim of integrity, holding that neither mortal man nor the holy ones in the heavens can hold faith in Jehovah’s eyes. He indirectly accuses Job of trying to show himself superior to God and of practicing apostasy, bribery, and deceit.

24, 25. (a) What lying slander does Eliphaz self-righteously bring against Job? (b) What refutation and challenge does Job make in answer?

²⁴ The debate: round three (22:1–25:6). Eliphaz returns savagely to the attack, ridiculing Job’s claim of blamelessness before the Almighty. He brings lying slander against Job, claiming that he is bad, has exploited the poor, has held back bread from the hungry, and has mistreated widows and fatherless boys. Eliphaz says that Job’s private life is not as pure as he claims and that this explains Job’s bad condition. But “if you return to the Almighty,” intones Eliphaz, “he will hear you.”​—22:23, 27.