v1-2: Job's defence to his friends, and his criticism of them. He is not ignorant of spiritual realities, as in 12.2-3.

v3-4: He wants to know the mind of God; he is convinced that his friends have failed to do this.

v5: It would have been wiser of them to have remained silent, Prov 17.28.

v6: 'Listen to me now', he says, follow Job's line of thought.

v7-8: Job's friends claimed to speak on behalf of God, but had not spoken truthfully, see 42.7. We must be careful what we attribute to God. Since He is perfectly righteous, we are wrong to speak untruths in His Name.

v9-12: God's righteous character would expose his friends' words for what they are, "proverbs of ashes" and "defences of clay," that is, utterly useless.

v13-16: Whatever God may send into our lives is His decision (see 2.10). Here is utter dependence upon God. Job knows of no specific sin that has brought about his suffering, and none is revealed in the book. He therefore maintains his integrity; "I will surely defend my ways to His face", "I know that I will be vindicated" (v18). Of v15, John Bunyan says, "the language of the invincible grace of God."

Contrast 40.3-5; 42.5-6; we cannot always say the same things directly to God.

v17-19: Job's challenge to his friends, to bring specific accusations against him.

v20-21: Job's prayer, again showing his dependence upon God. He would prefer God's hand upon him, even if that means suffering, than have God withdraw His hand.

v22-27: Job looks for God's explanation. He is willing for God to reveal his sins to him. He is reminded of the frailty of his life, as a leaf, and dry stubble.

Job is reminded of past sins; he had not always been the man of blamelessness and integrity.

v28: He continues to waste away, even during the discussion.