約伯的毎一個朋友都發表了意見，約伯也就每一論點予以反駁，從十五章開始，朋友們就以這個難以了解的個案，針對約伯的個性做第二回合的攻擊。以利法再度領隊譴責約伯的言辭空洞貧乏，毫無價值，他否定約伯對上帝有真正的認知，甚至明白的指出這人身上有一切的邪惡──對約伯的屬靈層次做了一番苛刻且令人嫌惡的誹謗，約伯回答時，稱以利法及其同伴為「令人愁煩的安慰者」，依約伯之見，上帝一心要摧毀他，使他靈命破產、孤苦無依。

        有人說得好：「老年人是一群『過河卒子』但顯然人人都期望加入。」史學家湯恩比在他八十歲生日時說：「我有幸在英國近入暮年，因為美國人太熱中新奇和超效率，在美國垂垂老矣必定使人沮喪痛苦。」在耶穌基督教會裡，情況並沒有比較好，堅守從長者身上獲取最多經驗的下一代，往往和長者相處時間最少的一群人，也許這就是為什麼保羅必須吩咐提多，要年老婦人用善道教導年輕人，勸老年人為年輕人做聖潔的榜樣（多2：1-2）若沒有保羅的提醒，恐怕在教會永遠看不到這麼美的情景。
        你在教會裡待年長的一輩態度如何？是否好像你迫不及待要加入他們？你是否尊敬他們，信賴他們的智慧和對屬靈事物做決定的敏銳度？本週撥點時間和一位長你二十歲或更多的長輩在一起交通，深信你會更有智慧！

約伯記中的文學價值
        約伯記是現存早期文學最好的作品之一。全書以散文作為開始及結尾，當中以詩體來呈現。書中記錄一個法庭，三個朋友是控方的律師，約伯則為自己辯護。最後，由主審官──上帝來裁決。

對愚人而言，年邁是冬季，對智者而言，卻是豐收季。

English

        Job's friends have spoken, and Job has refuted each argument. Chapter 15 begins a second volley of attacks on Job's character as each friend seeks to offer the final word on Job's baffling case. Eliphaz leads again by describing Job's words as worthless talk. He denies that Job has a true knowledge of God and broadly condemns all wickedness in man, a thinly disguised slander of Job's spiritual life. Job responds by calling Eliphaz and his companions "miserable comforters" (16:2). From Job's perspective God is out to crush him, a thought that leaves Job broken in spirit and seemingly alone.

        It has been well said, "The elderly are the only outcast group that everyone eventually expects to join." Arnold Toynbee on his 80th birthday remarked, "I'm glad I'm growing old in England. Americans are dedicated to the new and superefficient. It must be depressing to be old in the United States." In the church of Jesus Christ, the situation is not much better. Those who stand to gain the most from the experience of the elderly, the next generation, often spend the least amount of time with them. Perhaps that is why Paul had to command Titus to have the older women teach the younger, and the older men to be godly models for the younger (Titus 2:1-8). Without Paul's encouragement, this kind of guidance might not have occurred.
        How do you treat the elderly in your church? Do you honor them and draw upon their wisdom and sensitivity in making spiritual decisions? This week, spend time with someone 20 or more years your senior. You'll leave wiser!

The Literary Genius in Job
        The Book of Job stands out as one of the finest pieces of early literature extant. See how the book is structured with poetry in the middle and prose at the beginning and end. The book resembles a courtroom setting, where the three friends, as lawyers, accuse the defendant Job. In the end, though, it is God, the presiding Judge, who has the final word.

For the foolish, old age is like winter; for the wise, it is a harvest.