Lament of a Laughing Stock (Eliphaz Mark 2)
Job's explosion triggers something in Eliphaz and if Round One was the Agony Aunt Round Two reads more like 'Listen to me, Sunshine!' (15:17ff). Eliphaz may be down but he is not out. They are not getting anywhere. Having dismissed words as 'unprofitable' (15: 3), Eliphaz proceeds to utter more, accusing Job of using protest to detract from traditional religious experience, dubbing it 'the tongue of the crafty' (15: 4-5). He then charges Job with venting his wrath on his friends because he cannot get at God, like a man who picks a quarrel with the church so that he can get out.
Then, as if that were not offensive enough, Eliphaz challenges Job on three points: what training has he ever had (instilling inferiority), is he too young to understand what has always been handed down (dubbing him a rebel), and what on earth is biting him to behave like this (diverting the conversation from Job's problem which they don't want to talk about?) (15: 7-16). Finally, with no evidence for his assertions, he tries to frighten Job with the lot of the wicked (deep down they are unhappy), a doctrine of which Job is well aware, doesn't question, and is bright enough to see its irrelevance. (15: 17-25).
In response, Job goes for role reversal. He's heard it all before, and if he were in their shoes (though there is no sign that they have ever felt to be in his) he could say all they are saying, but so what? It just wouldn't help. So, dreadfully abandoned by his friends, he sometimes even feels abandoned by God and given over to the ungodly in a crisis where he needs God and the godly more than ever. (16: 11-22).
Avoid getting too involved in what Job says. Reflect rather on what he feels. Genuinely struggling with an unusual experience, which his friends neither understand nor know how to handle or discuss, he feels treated like a 'weirdo' or a 'nutcase'. Embarrassed and shattered by what has happened, he is afraid to speak; nobody will believe him and some will even hold him responsible.