Job 16:3-4

3 Shall vain [ruwach] words [dabar] have an end [qets]? or what emboldeneth [marats] thee that thou answerest [`anah]?

4 I also could speak [dabar] as ye do: if [luw'] your soul [nephesh] were [yesh] in my soul's [nephesh] stead, I could heap up [chabar] words [millah] against you, and shake [nuwa`] mine head [ro'sh] at [bamow] you. KJV-Interlinear

3 'Is there no limit to windy words? Or what plagues you that you answer? 4 'I too could speak like you, If I were in your place. I could compose words against you, And shake my head at you. NASB

Easier said than done, is Jobs response. Words come easy to those who are not suffering. Words come easy to those who are not being held accountable. Words come easy to those who presume control over a matter, but do not hold the responsibility.

Armchair quarterbacks, backseat drivers, people with opinions, are a dime a dozen. There are words enough to go around, but wisdom is generally short for those who are subjective in their positions.

To 'heap up,' 'chabar,' here means to bind together in a random fashion, to build up a pile, to string together without regard to common association.

Job tells Eliphaz that he has done nothing more than recite old proverbs and truths without regard to their relevance to his situation.

Sure they may be true principles, but no, they do not apply in this situation.

One can say many things, 'The sun rises in the East. The sun sets in the West. The sky is blue. Fish swim in the sea.' Each of these represent a truth, but what do they have to do with the price of tea?

And so Job tells it like it is. Eliphaz's arguments are random and disconnected as far as Jobs situation was concerned.

Job states that he and anyone, for that matter, can come up with proverbs, stringing them together, but they mean nothing if not used legitimately and properly within a correct context.

If a person has never been in a situation, that is an extreme situation, and especially if they lack Bible doctrine (truth) in their soul, then they will not be able to relate. Their words may be of good intention, but generally, when a person lacks wisdom, then they slide into criticism. That is all they know.

Wagging the finger and shaking the head in disgust, in criticism, in stubborn argument, are all that a person who lacks doctrine, can do. These actions are not only overt actions, but they represent expressions of biased and unfounded opinion. Especially when they come from a person who is not directly involved in a matter.

That is exactly what Job is conveying to us here. His friends have knowledge, but not wisdom. They know the words of truth, and can string them together in long and wordy speeches, but they lack wisdom in the proper application of those truths.

Just because a person may be able to solve mathematical formula's, does not mean that they have the understanding and wisdom to plot a rocket's course to Mars. Just because a person can hammer a nail, does not mean that they can build a home. Just because a person can paint a room, does not mean that they can decorate that room.

And so, many believers know the words, and they even may have memorized many Bible verses, but that does not mean that they can interpret their meaning into legitimate daily life situations.

Knowledge of verses, even proverbs, but lack of understanding will lead to all sorts of weird rules and conclusions for life.

'If God meant for us to fly If God wanted us to have electricity If God wanted us to have or do this or that We should pray to see if God wants us to turn left or right, choose 'a' or 'b,' and so forth.'

You can fill in the answer with whatever you want, and that is exactly what people who lack the thorough extent of Bible doctrine in their soul, do. They have knowledge, but they do not yet have the capacity or understanding to think, and therefore use it properly.

Only a daily study, and time, will eventually give you this capacity, and then be able to think properly for yourself.

Now is the time to post a prayer.