Eliphaz Tells Job to Listen to His Great Wisdom
October 17, 2021
Commentary
Eliphaz brings up as a reminder of the fate of the wicked (vv. 17-20). He points out how suffering is in store each day for those who sin. Eliphaz portrays the idea that Job was a tyrant who struck fear into other people. It seems that this friend hoped to force Job to repent, as he lists the terrible troubles that befall a sinner (vv. 21-35).
Terrifying sounds are heard (v. 21). Job had certainly heard terrifying news (1:14-19).He will be attacked (v. 21). The Sabeans and Chaldeans did this to Job (1:15, 17).Darkness haunts him (v. 22). This is possibly a reference to the darkness of death.He is destined to be a victim of violence (v. 22).He wanders aimlessly, trying to escape his attackers (v. 23).Anguish hounds him (v. 24). Eliphaz points out that our own anguish destroys us.These first six calamities (vv. 21-24) are followed by an explanation of the reasons for such punishment (vv. 25-27). Then Eliphaz continues with his list: He is forced to live in abandoned houses and crumbling residences (v 28).He Loses his wealth (v. 29).This certainly happened to Job (Job 1:13-17).Darkness overtakes him (v. 30).Fire destroys his crops (v. 30).He will vanish (v. 30).Though gaining nothing materially he will be paid with punishment for his sin (v. 31).Tents are burned (v. 34).They are parents of vicious lies, (v. 35).
Application
Eliphaz did not have all of his facts straight, and his attempt to jolt Job into repentance failed. If I try to deal with people in my own wisdom, my efforts will also fail.
Job 15:17– 35 (NET)
17 “I will explain to you; listen to me, and what I have seen, I will declare,
18 what wise men declare, hiding nothing, from the tradition of their ancestors,
19 to whom alone the land was given when no foreigner passed among them.
20 All his days the wicked man suffers torment, throughout the number of the years that are stored up for the tyrant.
21 Terrifying sounds fill his ears; in a time of peace marauders attack him.
22 He does not expect to escape from darkness; he is marked for the sword;
23 he wanders about—food for vultures — he knows that the day of darkness is at hand.
24 Distress and anguish terrify him; they prevail against him like a king ready to launch an attack,
25 for he stretches out his hand against God, and vaunts himself against the Almighty,
26 defiantly charging against him with a thick, strong shield!
27 Because he covered his face with fat, and made his hips bulge with fat,
28 he lived in ruined towns and in houses where no one lives, where they are ready to crumble into heaps.
29 He will not grow rich, and his wealth will not endure, nor will his possessions spread over the land.
30 He will not escape the darkness; a flame will wither his shoots and he will depart by the breath of God’s mouth.
31 Let him not trust in what is worthless, deceiving himself; for worthlessness will be his reward.
32 Before his time he will be paid in full, and his branches will not flourish.
33 Like a vine he will let his sour grapes fall, and like an olive tree he will shed his blossoms.
34 For the company of the godless is barren, and fire consumes the tents of those who accept bribes.
35 They conceive trouble and bring forth evil; their belly prepares deception.”
Illustration: A Drunk Tries to Drown His Troubles
A man, who was known to like liquor, explained that he drank only to drown his troubles. “After you drown them, why do you continue to drink?” he was asked. “You don’t know my troubles,” he sighed. “My troubles are excellent swimmers. I try to drown them, but they swim right up again!” (Elsa Teitelbaum – Encyclopedia of Illustrations #13588).