v1-6: Job's initial response to Bildad, 'you have tormented me, reproached me, attacked me.' But for Job, it is clear that "God has wronged me"; nothing in his experience is outside God's will and purpose. This is important, as it enables us to find God's grace in all circumstances.

Job's friends, for all their words, had failed to reveal God's truth.

v7-20: As in chapter 16, Job's words point us forward to Christ's sufferings.

v7: His justice was taken away, there was no man to help, Ps 142.4; Jesus' disciples all forsook Him.

v8: There was no alternative, the only path was the one of suffering.

v9: He was stripped of His glory, Phil 2.7.

v10: Jesus was brought to death by God Himself, Is 53.10.

v11: God's wrath was kindles against Him.

v12: His enemies gathered together against Him.

v13-19: Job was forsaken by his friends, even those closest to him (42.11), 'only a friends can betray a friend.'

v20: Job has lost his hope, with only skin and bones left; no soul, no strength, and no hope.

v21-22: The hand of God has struck him. Ultimately that same hand would deliver him. His friends joined in against him.

v23-24: 'Take notice!' says Job, something important is coming; Job introduces his glorious declaration of his confidence in God.

v25-27: My Redeemer; "I know...I will see God." No wonder his heart yearned within him. Here is a real personal hope in the faithful God.

The word 'redeemer' was well understood in Bible times;

'You've got a problem. Give it to me.

You're got a burden. Let me bear it.

You've got a debt. Let me pay it as though it were mine.

Youve got a need. Let me meet it.' (Alec Motyer, Loving the Old Testement, page 28-29).

Contrast the words of Bildad in 8.13, of Eliphaz in 15.13, and of Bildad again in 18.21. They spoke of a man without hope.

v28-29: Job's warning to his friends; they should be afraid, for God's judgment may fall on them, see 42.7-9.

Job has highlighted the truth; only a fool will neglect it.