Hey, Watch Your Mouth Series

I want to also say something else that is brought out here. The statement -To which of the saints wilt thou turn? –I grew up in a religious institution that prayed to saints that were voted in by a committee of men and to angels such as Saint Michael. Now understand this truth. Neither an angel nor saint can help any man unless they are sent from God; and all prayers to them are therefore foolish and absurd.

2 For wrath kills a foolish man, and envy slays a simple one

Eliphaz is implying that Job is filled with bitterness and envy. That is what is wrong. You are angry and jealous, and that is why you have trouble.

The understanding of sin presented throughout the Book of Job, even by Job's accusers, includes crimes of the heart, or desire, and not just physical actions.

In Eliphaz’s thoughts he feels that the wrath of God is manifested only against the wicked and impious; and if Job was not such then God would not thus contend with him.

3 I have seen the foolish taking root, but suddenly I cursed his dwelling place. 4 His sons are far from safety, they are crushed in the gate, and there is no deliverer. 5 Because the hungry eat up his harvest, taking it even from the thorns, and a snare snatches their substance.

The evil accusations of this guy towards Job are totally amazing. Look at how he insults this godly man. In his evil understanding Eliphaz is accusing Job of being wicked. The wicked prosperity is short and their destruction certain, (verses.3-5). Job had prospered for a time and it seemed confirmed as he was the wealthiest person in the known world and was secure in his prosperity. He came to the conclusion that Job was like these people and that it was common for foolish wicked men to do so: I have seen them taking root —planted, and, in their own and others’ apprehension, fixed, and likely to continue.

Those who looked only at present things blessed their habitation, and thought themselves happy. Eliphaz however cursed it, that is he suddenly cursed it, as soon as he saw them begin to take root, that is, he plainly foresaw and foretold their ruin; not that he prayed for it (I have not desired the woeful day), but he foresaw it. In a way he is saying ‘I knew that all this calamity was going to come down on you Job because of your wickedness.

Eliphaz tell Job that his prosperity was now at an end, and so has the prosperity of other wicked people quickly been.

Eliphaz now goes on to imply that Job, fits with one whose children “are crushed in the gate” (5:4). This is more than a tasteless remark; it is a clear slap in the face. What a low blow! That is a hidden reference to the calamity that befell all Job's children in one day. Eliphaz is suggesting that such things happen only because there is something wrong in Job's life:

The gate is the city’s main entry and generally served as a place of business, including that of the courts. The implication is that Job’s children didn't just die, but they were judged and condemned by God because of the father's sin.