Jewels From Job
Job – Chapter #4
Job has given us the first discourse. That is found in chapter 3. What will happen next is that Job’s three friends will respond to Job. This becomes almost a debate session. Here is the outline.
Eliphaz’ first discourse chapters 4-5
Job’s response chapters 6-7
Bildad’s first discourse chapter 8
Job’s response chapters 9-10
Zophar first discourse chapter 11
Job’s response chapters 12-14
After the first round is over – there will be a second round.
We should remember that we do not know the spiritual condition of these three men. We do know Job’s condition. “Then the Lord said, “Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil. He still retains his integrity, even though you incited Me against him, to destroy him without just cause.” Job 2:3 (HCSB)
Job’s three friends will speak much truth but they will also speak much error. What we find in the Bible is inspired – it is there to encourage us and to keep us from false teaching. But there are times when we are exposed to falsehood so that we can discern the truth. The temptation of Jesus is such an example. We find both false teaching and truth. Satan’s discourse is plainly in the scripture – even though His teaching is false. There are many examples in the scripture where false teaching is presented. This is like an inoculation – so that we may discern the false from the truth. It is up to us to study the scripture so that we may learn where the truth lies.
The main theory of Job’s three friends is false. Their position was that God never afflicts a righteous man. Since Job is afflicted – He must be a sinner. We must keep in mind that God has not caused the affliction of Job – but He has allowed it. God allows the suffering of all people but He also sends blessing on all people as well.
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said: 2 "If one attempts a word with you, will you become weary? But who can withhold himself from speaking? Job 4:1-2 (NKJV)
ELIPHAZ’ FLATTERY
Eliphaz will be the first to speak to Job. He starts speaking to Job with gentleness telling him he is not there to make him tired but to help him. “Should anyone try to speak with you when you are exhausted?” Job 4:2 (HCSB) He goes on to tell Job that he can not be silent and that Job that he had instructed many people and now it was his turn to be instructed. “Look! You have instructed many and have strengthened weak hands.” Job 4:3 (HCSB) Eliphaz is in the process of “buttering” Job up. We have all heard it is easier to catch flies with honey then it is with vinegar.
If Job is to reject the truth it would be a matter of pride – but does Eliphaz speak to him the truth?
3 Surely you have instructed many, And you have strengthened weak hands. 4 Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, And you have strengthened the feeble knees; 5 But now it comes upon you, and you are weary; It touches you, and you are troubled. 6 Is not your reverence your confidence? And the integrity of your ways your hope? Job 4:3-6 (NKJV)
ELIPHAZ INSIGHT
Here we find some real insight. When we are not in affliction it is easy for us to give advice and to help others. When affliction comes on us it has a tendency to “blind” us to what is really happening. Our vision becomes narrower as our pain increases. When ministers are in affliction they become very much like the people they minister to when disaster strikes. We are not above reproach.
"Remember now, who ever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright ever cut off?” Job 4:7 (NKJV)
ELIPHAZ’S ARGUMENT
Eliphaz gets to the meat of the issue quite quickly - Consider: who has perished when he was innocent? Where have the honest been destroyed? Job 4:7 (HCSB) Do the innocent suffer? Of course we know that the answer is yes. Innocent people suffer all the time. Earthquakes, disease, famine, accidents, etc. happen and innocent people are caught in the middle of it. This is the “Problem of Pain.” It is also true that some suffer because of the sins they have committed. If we do something wrong – sin – consequences follow.
By the time you get to the New Testament – the same type of thinking is found there. Many in New Testament times believed that people suffer because of the sin they committed – either there own or the sin of a family member. See scripture below:
1 As He was passing by, He saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples questioned Him: “ Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” Jesus answered. “[This came about] so that God’s works might be displayed in him. 4 We must do the works of Him who sent Me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:1-5 (HCSB)
Notice that Jesus tells his disciples that neither the parents nor the man cause this problem of blindness. Innocent people suffer. It is a fact of life. On the other hand – it is a fact that all people suffer because of sin. If it was not for the sin in this world there would be no suffering. We live in an un-natural world. The world as we know it – is NOT the way God created it. All we have known – what we see as natural is in fact un-natural. All people will suffer because of the fall – we can not escape it.
Barnes says of this verse, “Judgments are not equally administered in this world, and hence the necessity for a future world of retribution.”
Jesus taught on the issue of the suffering of the innocent very plainly in Luke 13:1-5.
“Even as I have seen, Those who plow iniquity And sow trouble reap the same.” Job 4:8 (NKJV)
SOWING AND REAPING
So Eliphaz takes up the argument from the point of view that people suffer because of the sin in their life. He uses the argument that what we sow – we will also reap. In my experience, those who plow injustice and those who sow trouble reap the same. Job 4:8 (HCSB) We find this fact in the book of Galatians also.
“Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.” Galatians 6:7-8 (HCSB)
These statements are fact “men will reap what they sow” – the problem is – it might not happen instantly. In fact the reaping might not take place in this life at all. The timing of punishment and judgment is in God’s control.
We should remember that suffering comes from many sources and not just – “By the blast of God they perish, And by the breath of His anger they are consumed.” We see the back stage of the story and know that Satan has been allowed to bring this suffering on Job. The truth of the matter in this case is that Job is not suffering because of sin but because – life is a test.
How would you know if you are faithful unless you are tempted with unfaithfulness? Do you remember what Satan has said to God? “So Satan answered the Lord and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing?” Job 1:9 Satan has made the argument that Job serves God only because God has given him so many blessings. Job is in the process of being tested – to see if he will stick with God when all his material “things” are gone. Job lost his possessions, children and health. The test is – will Job continue to follow God?
9 By the blast of God they perish, And by the breath of His anger they are consumed. 10 The roaring of the lion, The voice of the fierce lion, And the teeth of the young lions are broken. 11 The old lion perishes for lack of prey, And the cubs of the lioness are scattered. Job 4:9-11 (HCSB)
ELIPHAZ’S WARNING
Eliphaz is telling Job either “turn or burn.” “Job you know you are a sinner. You know you have done evil. Fess up or God is going to get you!” This type of message is one way to win souls. The Great Awaking in America was influenced with this type of preaching. It is possible to scare people out of Hell – people can be saved by preaching the wrath of God but we must always remember to preach and teach the love of God also. “The Lord does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (HCSB) Judgment and mercy are both part of the gospel. God has never ignored sin – He demands sin to be accounted for – but He paid for it on the cross.
12 "Now a word was secretly brought to me, And my ear received a whisper of it. 13 In disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night, When deep sleep falls on men, 14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, Which made all my bones shake. 15 Then a spirit passed before my face; The hair on my body stood up. 16 It stood still, But I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; There was silence; Then I heard a voice saying: 17 ’Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker? 18 If He puts no trust in His servants, If He charges His angels with error, 19 How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before a moth? 20 They are broken in pieces from morning till evening; They perish forever, with no one regarding. 21 Does not their own excellence go away? They die, even without wisdom.’ Job 4:12-21 (NKJV)
ELIPHAZ’S SPIRITUAL VISION
Eliphaz claims to have had some supernatural experience that has given him more insight then most men. Verses 12-21. Be careful when you encounter such people. Personal experience alone is not to be our only source of authority. All of our experiences must be held up to the light and examined. Our light as Christians is the Word of God.
Eliphaz says that this “form” that stood before him asked: “Can a person be more righteous than God, or a man more pure than his Maker?” Job 4:17 (HCSB) Of course the answer to this question is no. No one is more righteous then God. But the real question that Eliphaz is asking Job is: “Who do you think you are? Do you really think you are not suffering because of your sin?”
Job never claimed to be more righteous then God. What Job was claimed was that his suffering was not a matter of his sinning.
“Oh Eliphaz who put you in the judgment seat?” Who put any of us! We are to sound a warning – but let us also offer words of encouragement. Even if the friend has sinned show them the road to repentance. We are to proclaim God’s judgment but it must be seasoned with God’s mercy and God’s sacrificial love found in Jesus Christ.
How to respond to those who are suffering:
1. Bring friendship – not flattery.
2. Bring comfort – not condemnation.
3. Bring encouragement – not “Holier then Thou” experiences.
