Job is Chastened by God
November 3, 2019
Commentary
All three of Job’s friends made the mistake of assuming that Job had committed a great sin that was causing his suffering. Neither they, nor Job, knew of Satan’s conversation with God (Job 1:6). Eliphaz spoke of Job as a fool who had begun to prosper, but was cursed by God, and because of it lost his children and his wealth (vv. 1-8). He advised Job to appeal to God because:
He is majestic and powerful (v. 9).He is benevolent, sending rain for the crops (v. 10).He encourages by helping the sorrowing (v. 11).He frustrates the crafty (vv. 12-14).He delivers the needy and poor (vv. 15-16).He believed that Job should trust God’s mercy and not keep insisting on his innocence. Eliphaz suggested that God has brought these troubles into Job’s life as a form of discipline in order to get him to repent. Therefore, his suffering should be a cause for happiness, because it will lead to restoration (vv. 17-27). Eliphaz was correct that it is a blessing to be disciplined by God when we do wrong. However, Eliphaz’ advice did not apply to Job. We know this because of having been let in on the secret of God’s challenge to Satan. He closed by asking Job to admit that what he has said is true and for his good. He has said much that is true, but he has not been of much help to Job.
This concludes the first speech of Eliphaz. It has not met the need of Job. It hasn’t even touched him at all. As a matter of fact, Job is dismayed; he is alarmed and he cries out for pity and for help because Eliphaz was of no help to him at all.
Application
I need to be careful in assuming that I am right about my evaluation of others and falsely accuse them.
Job 5:1– 27 (NET)
1 “Call now! Is there anyone who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn?
2 For wrath kills the foolish person, and anger slays the silly one.
3 I myself have seen the fool taking root, but suddenly I cursed his place of residence.
4 His children are far from safety, and they are crushed at the place where judgment is rendered, nor is there anyone to deliver them.
5 The hungry eat up his harvest, and take it even from behind the thorns, and the thirsty pant for their wealth.
6 For evil does not come up from the dust, nor does trouble spring up from the ground,
7 but people are born to trouble, as surely as the sparks fly upward.
8 “But as for me, I would seek God, and to God I would set forth my case.
9 He does great and unsearchable things, marvelous things without number;
10 he gives rain on the earth, and sends water on the fields;
11 he sets the lowly on high, that those who mourn are raised to safety.
12 He frustrates the plans of the crafty so that their hands cannot accomplish what they had planned.
13 He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the counsel of the cunning is brought to a quick end.
14 They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope about in the noontime as if it were night.
15 So he saves from the sword that comes from their mouth, even the poor from the hand of the powerful.
16 Thus the poor have hope, and iniquity shuts its mouth.
17 “Therefore, blessed is the man whom God corrects, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
18 For he wounds, but he also bandages; he strikes, but his hands also heal.
19 He will deliver you from six calamities; yes, in seven no evil will touch you.
20 In time of famine he will redeem you from death, and in time of war from the power of the sword.
21 You will be protected from malicious gossip, and will not be afraid of the destruction when it comes.
22 You will laugh at destruction and famine and need not be afraid of the beasts of the earth.
23 For you will have a pact with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you.
24 And you will know that your home will be secure, and when you inspect your domains, you will not be missing anything.
25 You will also know that your children will be numerous, and your descendants like the grass of the earth.
26 You will come to your grave in a full age, As stacks of grain are harvested in their season.
27 Look, we have investigated this, so it is true. Hear it, and apply it for your own good.”
Illustration: The Cat With Stomach Problems That Produced Five Kittens
A family of five was rushed to the hospital to have their stomachs washed out after the cat, with whom they had shared a meal of mushrooms, suddenly began to have stomach contractions. While members of the family showed no signs of illness, the doctor still had them rushed to the hospital. When they returned home they found the cat feeling well, after having produced five kittens. (England Post, in Homemade, April, 1989).