Biblical texts and theological concepts

Bible

Chapters 3-30 in the book of Job reveal the titular man's character as morbid, self-pitying, and self-righteous. At first glance, Job's depression manifests as suicidal tendencies, as he curses the day of his birth and longs for his demise: "Let the day perish wherein I was born...let the stars of its dawn be dark; let it hope for light, but have none," (3:3; 9). His lamenting seems understandable in light of the enormity of human suffering and his authentic personal problems. Job's misery runs deep, and he deals with it by coveting death as a panacea. This reveals Job's tendencies towards self-pity and morbid self-absorption. As Job converses with his three friends, even more of Job's personality is revealed. No matter what the three men tell him, Job argues with them, refusing to listen with humility.

Eli'phaz tells Job what a good person he is: "Behold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands," (4: 3). His friend also refers to the "integrity" that he witnesses in Job (4:6). Before this bout of depression, Job was obviously a man of strong moral character, as he avers throughout these chapters. But after listening to Job's suicidal soliloquy, Eli'phaz does not hesitate to point out that Job is "impatient," (4:5). His suffering, shared universally by all humans, seems unbearable to Job. His friends encourage him to hang in there and remind him that this, too, shall pass. Even in light of Job's extreme suffering, Eli'phaz, Bildad, and Zophar tire of Job's whining and encourage him to seek truth and wisdom in God.

Even after Eli'phaz's pep talk, Job feels helpless and insists on complaining further. Ignoring the advice of his friends, Job declares, "I will complain in the bitterness of my soul," (7:11). Job feels deserving of self-pity and the pity of others and feels justified in complaining. He announces unabashedly that his anger and bitterness are directed singularly at God. Job laments and perhaps exaggerates his condition and fails to truly humble himself. Basically repeating a series of "why me?" questions, Job cries, "I loathe my life," (7:16).

Job asserts his innocence repeatedly, despite Eli'phaz's telling him that innocence is relative. It seems that the more the three men try to talk Job out of his increasing despair, the worse his self-pity and self-righteousness become. Job even comes across as being arrogant at certain points, as when he retorts, "I am not inferior to you. But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God. As for you, you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all," (13:2-4).

Job resents the advice of his friends and perceives it as being patronizing.