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Speaking cannot be stopped. But on what ground are you speaking? Job Chapter 15 Eliphaz speaks again. “Should a wise person answer with empty knowledge?” “Your speaking removes reverence.” Job’s words themselves are denied. Not the content, but the speaking itself is questioned. Not what is said, but the act of speaking is treated as the problem. When a person’s speaking is denied, they lose the place where they stand. You are wrong. You should not speak. When such words are

Job Chapter 14 Even in the rain, life is still breathing. Job speaks. “Man is born of a woman, short of days and full of trouble.” “He blossoms like a flower, and withers.” Human life is short. It is fragile. Job looks directly at this reality. When people become aware of their fragility, they come to a halt. This is as far as it goes. No further. That sense spreads within. People long for what continues. What does not end. What is not lost. Yet what stands before them is a f

Job Chapter 13 Job speaks. “I want to speak to God.” “I will defend my ways before Him.” Job turns toward God. Job still seeks God. He is not running away. He is not turning his back. Rather,he is trying to draw near. Yet the way he approaches is a defense. “I am right.” “I am not wrong.” With those words in his hand, he tries to stand before God. As he draws near to God, he is trying to prove himself. People try to stand before God with their own righteousness. Because they

Knowledge speaks. But light enters from elsewhere. Job Chapter 12 Job responds. “You are the people, and wisdom will die with you.” “But I also have understanding.” Job speaks in response to his friends’ words. Job says: I also understand. God’s power. God’s work. I know these things. When people think they understand, their position becomes stronger. I understand. I know. That certainty comes to the front. Yet Job’s knowledge does not sustain him. He knows God. He can speak

When words run out, the pen comes to a stop.Even so, morning comes. — Job 10 — Job continues to speak. “I loathe my own life.” “Why did You bring me out of the womb?” Job begins to question himself. Suffering is not only external. It enters within. The words of his friends did not reach him. Next, Job turns toward himself. Why did this happen? Where did I go wrong? The questions turn inward. In suffering, a person begins to doubt oneself. Was it my fault? Was something lackin

Job Chapter 11 Zophar begins to speak. “Should not many words be answered?” “God has even forgotten some of your sin.” He responds to Job’s words with force. Zophar’s words are sharp. You speak too much. You are wrong. He says it directly. When people are answered back, they try to defend their position. I am not wrong. I am not understood. That feeling grows stronger. Yet the more words are added, the deeper the conflict becomes. Job does not answer back. He does not resent.

Job Chapter 9. Job responds. words deepen as they layer “Indeed, it is true.” “How can a person be righteous before God?” God is great. A person cannot stand before Him. Job acknowledges the greatness of God. Job does not deny God’s righteousness. Nor does he let go of his own. Yet between the two, there is no path. It is not denial. It is not rebellion. He is simply standing still. A person cannot stand before God by their own righteousness. Righteousness exists. Yet th

正しさの中で、それでも朝はくる。 Job Chapter 8 Bildad begins to speak. “Does God pervert justice?” “If you are righteous, you will be restored.” There is a reason for suffering. It lies on the human side. Righteousness is spoken clearly. Bildad’s words are strong. Right or not right. He judges in either/or terms. God is righteous. Therefore, the outcome is also right. This structure does not waver. Yet Job’s reality does not fit within this framework. The clearer righteousness becomes, the

Job 7 Job keeps speaking. “Is not man’s life on earth a time of hard service?” “The nights are long, and the suffering goes on.” He lies down, but finds no rest. He waits for morning, but the night does not end. Job is in a sufferingwith no end in sight. When suffering continues for a long time, a person is pressed by time. How much longer? Where does it end? With no answer in sight, the same hours repeat themselves. A person longs for an ending. Because if there is a limit,

Job Chapter 6. Job begins to speak. “My suffering should be weighed.” “The arrows of the Almighty are in me.” Job speaks about his pain. He does not repeat his friends’ words. He simply says what is happening to him. His friends had spoken. There is meaning.Things will get better. These words are not wrong. But they do not reach him. People try to explain suffering. Why did this happen? What went wrong? They believe that if they understand, they will feel safe. But Job says,