Eliphaz's Opinion (Job 4)

How should we comfort others when they are suffering? Should we set aside judgment, because sin is not always the cause of distress? Let’s look at Job 4.

After a week of silence, showing sympathy, did Eliphaz begin criticizing Job for a lack of patience?

Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said: “If one ventures a word with you, will you be impatient? Yet who can keep from speaking? Behold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands. Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have made firm the feeble knees. But now it has come to you, and you are impatient; it touches you, and you are dismayed. Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope? (Job 4:1-6 ESV)

Did Eliphaz conclude that Job could not be innocent, must have been dishonest, unjust, and created his own trouble? Does he assume a cause and effect that does not apply in this case?

Consider: who has perished when he was innocent? Where have the honest been destroyed? In my experience, those who plow injustice and those who sow trouble reap the same. They perish at a single blast from God and come to an end by the breath of His nostrils. The lion may roar and the fierce lion growl, but the fangs of young lions are broken. The strong lion dies if it catches no prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered. (Job 4:7-11 HCSB)

Did Eliphaz claim that he received a word in a dream?

“A message was confided to me; my ear caught a whisper of it. Disquieting thoughts from dreams at night; when deep sleep falls on everyone. A fear fell upon me, along with trembling that caused all my bones to shake in terror. A spirit glided past me and made the hair on my skin to bristle. It remained standing, but I couldn’t recognize its appearance. A form appeared before my eyes; At first there was silence, and then this voice: (Job 4:12-16 ISV)

Did Eliphaz seem to believe that Job was receiving justice for sin? Did he ironically miss the real cause, a fallen angel?

Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker? Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly: How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth? They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it. Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom. (Job 4:17-21 KJV)

How should we speak to others who are suffering?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Cor 1:3-4 LSB)

How should we comfort others when they are suffering? Should we set aside judgment because sin is not always the cause of distress? You decide!