Job·Chapter 15

How to Apply

Think about one area in your life where you might be planting negativity—maybe in a relationship or at work. This week, challenge yourself to turn that around. Instead of gossiping or complaining, try to speak positivity into that situation. For example, if you’re frustrated with a friend, instead of venting to others, reach out to them and have an honest conversation. By doing this, you’re actively choosing to sow good seeds instead of trouble. It’s a small step, but it can lead to significant change!

Chapter Context

In this chapter, we find Job’s friend, Eliphaz, speaking up. He’s trying to explain why Job is suffering, suggesting that bad things happen because of bad choices. It’s a heated moment filled with tension because Job is defending himself against accusations. This verse fits right in the middle of Eliphaz's argument as he claims that people who plot evil inevitably bring trouble upon themselves. By saying this, he’s painting a picture of a cycle: if you plant negativity, that’s what you’ll harvest. This moment is crucial because it pushes the narrative forward, showing how friends sometimes miss the heart of someone’s struggle by blaming them instead of offering support.

Key Biblical Words (Word Study)

• conceive - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• trouble - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• give - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• birth - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• evil - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• womb - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• prepares - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• deceit - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".

Reflection Question

What are some ways you might be unintentionally 'giving birth' to negativity in your life, and how can you start to shift that towards something more positive?

Related Verses

• Galatians 6:7 - This verse reminds us that we reap what we sow. If you plant good things, you’ll see good results.
• Proverbs 6:16-19 - This passage lists things that God hates, including deceit. It shows how seriously we should take our actions.
• James 3:16 - Here, it talks about how where there’s envy and selfish ambition, there’s disorder. It connects to the idea that negative attitudes lead to chaos.

Personal Prayer

Lord, thank You for the truth found in Job 15:35. Help me to take the insights from this scripture and apply them to my heart today.Amen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Verses

2-3, 14, 15, 20

Historical Context

Chapter 15 follows Job’s lament in Chapter 14, where he expresses despair over life’s brevity and the seeming futility of human existence. Job’s friends, initially sympathetic, have begun to respond to his cries with accusations of sinfulness. Eliphaz, who speaks first in this chapter, represents a traditional viewpoint that equates suffering directly with sin. This chapter is pivotal as it illustrates the shifting dynamics between Job and his friends, as they increasingly adopt a posture of judgment rather than compassion. Eliphaz’s speech is significant as it reflects the prevailing beliefs of his time regarding divine justice and human suffering, setting the stage for Job’s rebuttals in subsequent chapters.