Hey, Watch Your Mouth Series

There is nothing in this world we are born to, and can truly call our own, but sin and trouble; both are as the sparks that fly upwards. Actual transgressions are the sparks that fly out of the furnace of original corruption. The troubles in our lives also arise as naturally as the sparks that fly upwards —so many are they, so thick and so fast does one follow another. Why then should we be surprised at our afflictions as strange, or quarrel with them as hard, when they are but what we are born to?

So, the verdict according to Eliphaz was that Job could not be an innocent man. Job deserved his troubles. Eliphaz’s mistake was that he thought that God punishes every error immediately. So, Eliphaz thought that God was punishing Job for some evil deed. Our God is not cruel. God does not watch us so that he can punish us. God wants to forgive us. God loves us.

8“But as for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause—9 Who does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things without number. 10 He gives rain on the earth, and sends waters on the fields. 11 He sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. 12 He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot carry out their plans. 13 He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the counsel of the cunning comes quickly upon them. 14 They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope at noontime as in the night.

Eliphaz sounds very spiritual here like some real religious phonies I come into contact with on a daily basis. They say one thing and do the exact opposite. Many people consider these guys very holy yet when you get to know them they are some of the worse people I have ever met. Look at what Eliphaz says again, ‘I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause” (5:8). This carries with it two assumptions: ‘you won't get any sympathy here’ and ‘I know because I am right with God.’

As we know from the narrative, God's pleasure with Job far surpasses that of the three friends. Sympathy would be a better choice to be applied in this counseling session. Eliphaz's presumption of righteousness needs little comment. God will deal with him as we will see in chapter 42:7.

Eziphaz here reproves Job for not seeking God, but quarrelling with him: "Job, if I had been in your shoes, I would not have been thinking or saying the things that you have. I would have acquiesced to the will of God.’’

Isn’t it is easy to say what we would do if we were in such a one’s situation; but when it comes to the actual trial, perhaps it will be found not so easy to do as we say.

Eliphaz highlights that Job must not pretend to pass a judgment upon God’s works, for they are unsearchable and above our enquiries; nor must we strive with our Maker, for He will certainly be too hard for us, and Is able to crush us in a moment.

He recommends to Job’s consideration God’s almighty power and Sovereign Dominion. In general, He does great things (verse 9), great indeed, for he can do anything and everything, and all according to the counsel of his own will—great indeed, for the operations of his power are;