This is the last full round of Job arguing with his friends. After these chapters, there are some exchanges between Job and Eliphaz and then Job gets to talk for most of the book. At this point, his friends barely say much of anything beyond “the wicked get punished”, all the while implying that Job is wicked.
Chapter 18 is Bildad’s last chapter. Like most assholes, Bildad has convinced himself that he’s completely righteous. He reminds me of a quote from an Isaac Bashevis Singer book where a character muses that the evil men obsessively care about the righteousness of others. Tzaddaks only care about their own righteousness.
I guess it applies.
Chapter 19 is one of my most popular articles because I go super Zionist. Not just Zionist; I talk about losing my anti-Zionist friends whose beef with Israel goes so far as to celebrate October 7. By the way, leftists, nice of you to care about Nazis when Elon Musk is giving the Hitler salute. Too bad you were quiet when your leftist friends were throwing out nazi salutes.
Finally we have Zopar talking about vomit. Many scholars think that Zophar is the angriest friend, but at this point he seems to be the least cognizant. He really can’t read the room.
Yes, that my be the only article about a chapter of the Bible with Mr. Hanky as the main picture.
I am still struggling with money, so if you like me but don’t want to commit to a subscription please give me $5 (or whatever).
Sara Ronis’ book on Rabbinic Demon Legends comes out in April. Pre-Order now.
Also, if you are into religious discourse, I published a biography of Rashi. Buy it on Kindle or in print.