Job 15: 1 – 16
If one will do, why not try 2
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said: 2 “Should a wise man answer with empty knowledge, and fill himself with the east wind? 3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk, or by speeches with which he can do no good? 4 Yes, you cast off fear, and restrain prayer before God. 5 For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the tongue of the crafty. 6 Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; Yes, your own lips testify against you. 7 “Are you the first man who was born? Or were you made before the hills? 8 Have you heard the counsel of God? Do you limit wisdom to yourself? 9 What do you know that we do not know? What do you understand that is not in us? 10 Both the gray-haired and the aged are among us, much older than your father. 11 Are the consolations of God too small for you, and the word spoken gently with you? 12 Why does your heart carry you away, and what do your eyes wink at, 13 that you turn your spirit against God, and let such words go out of your mouth? 14 “What is man, that he could be pure? And he who is born of a woman, that he could be righteous? 15 If God puts no trust in His saints, and the heavens are not pure in His sight, 16 how much less man, who is abominable and filthy, who drinks iniquity like water!
I am sure you have heard of the word ‘Oxymoron’. The rhetorical term oxymoron, made up of two Greek words meaning "sharp" and "dull," is itself oxymoronic. As you probably remember from school, an oxymoron is a compressed paradox: a figure of speech in which seemingly contradictory terms appear side by side. The oxymoron has also been called "the show-off" figure, one that gives voice to life's inherent conflicts and incongruities.
Here is a list of a few of the more popular ones;
1. cheerful pessimist
2. civil war
3. clearly misunderstood
4. " conspicuous absence
5. cool passion
6. crash landing
7. deafening silence
8. deceptively honest
9. definite maybe
10. dull roar
11. even odds
12. exact estimate
13. found missing
14. freezer burn
15. genuine imitation
16. good grief
17. growing smaller
18. humane slaughter
19. icy hot
20. impossible solution
21. intense apathy
22. jumbo shrimp
23. larger half
24. lead balloon
25. living dead
26. living end
27. living sacrifices
28. loosely sealed
29. loud whisper
30. loyal opposition
31. militant pacifist
32. minor miracle
33. negative growth
34. negative income
35. old news
36. one-man band
37. only choice
38. openly deceptive
39. open secret
40. original copy
41. paper tablecloth
42. plastic glasses
43. poor health
44. pretty ugly
45. random order
46. recorded live
47. resident alien
48. sad smile
49. same difference
50. seriously funny
51. silent scream
52. small crowd
53. soft rock
54. static flow
55. steel wool
56. student teacher
57. terribly good
58. unbiased opinion
59. working vacation
Have you come up with the reason why I brought up this subject? Do you see an oxymoron statement brought up by Elipaz? What about these groups of words ‘empty knowledge’ or how about ‘reason with unprofitable talk’. We will see these conflicts throughout this awesome book so let’s get right into it.
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said: 2 “Should a wise man answer with empty knowledge, and fill himself with the east wind? 3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk, or by speeches with which he can do no good?
Eliphaz jumps all over Job because he contradicted what he and his colleagues had said, and did not accept their advice as they had expected. Has something like this ever happen in your life? Perhaps a family member, a friend, or a co-worker has rebuked you for something that is totally incorrect. And if you tried to correct the misunderstanding you faced more wraths from the person? Eliphaz is bent out of shape emotionally because Job would not agree that he was a hypocrite.
He charges Job with lacking good sense and proper judgment. In a way he said that Job was absurd. Since he had a reputation of being a wise man, any one would say now that his wisdom had departed from him. Eliphaz said to Job, “You call yourself a wise man. If that be the case than how is it that all we hear from you is dumb remarks. You do not make any sense.’
In truth there is in the world a great deal of vain knowledge, science falsely so called, that is useless, and therefore worthless. This is the knowledge that puffs up, with which men swell in a fond conceit of their own accomplishments. Therefore it is important to know that any vain knowledge a man may have in his head, if he would be thought a wise man he must not reveal it but just let it go and not say it. In other words keep it to himself.
We also need to understand that any unprofitable talk is evil talk. We must all give an account in the great day not only for wicked words, but for idle words. Speeches therefore which do no good, which do no service either to God or our neighbor, or no justice to ourselves, which are no way to the use of edifying, are better left unspoken. These words are as wind, light and empty, especially which are as the east wind, hurtful and causes great harm or damage often in a way that is not easily seen or noticed.
4 Yes, you cast off fear, and restrain prayer before God.
In the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 12 at verse 13 we read, “13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
Solomon understood the two principles highlighted in verse 4 – fear of God and obedience to His Commandments. This fear is a reverence toward how Holy and Majestic True and Living God. Obeying Him is the only reasonable and smart thing to do.
When someone does not fear God then that person should not expect any good. Those who live without prayer certainly live without God in the world. Those who restrain prayer do thereby give evidence that they cast off fear. Surely they have no reverence of our Awesome God’s Majesty, no dread of His wrath, and are not thinking about their souls and eternity. Those who are prayer less are fearless and graceless. When the fear of God is cast off all sin is let in and a door is opened to all manner of irreverence. It is especially bad with those who have had some fear of God, but have now cast it off—have been frequent in prayer, but now restrain it. How have they fallen! How is their first love lost!
The opposite of fear is love. As you know when you love someone you want to spend time with that one. We spend time with our Holy Master through prayer and reading His Word. Fearing our Holy God then becomes the most needful principle of our lives and praying to Him becomes the most needful practice of our lives.
Please take a look with me in the book of Acts chapter 2 verse 42. We read this, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”You can just imagine being there with the disciples when our Lord went back to Heaven. I can just picture them saying to each other, ‘Okay, what do we do now?’ I believe our Holy Spirit stepped in and guided them to stay in the Word of God, fellowship, communion, and in prayer. These four covered all the essential things God wants for His church to do.
5 For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the tongue of the crafty. 6 Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; Yes, your own lips testify against you.
If you remember back in chapter 4 verse 3 Eliphaz said to Job, ‘Surely you have instructed many, and you have strengthened weak hands.’ He gave Job credit for instructing others in the right way of following our Creator God. However, in just a quick turnaround he now says, ‘You teach others to have the same incorrect thoughts of God that you have. Your tongue is crafty. That is you choose to show piety when you speak by mixing in some righteous remarks with wrong statements. So, in reality Job you are a hypocrite. What I state is proven by your own words.’
Many times our own words come back to bite us. If you have ever been to court and had to testify you will be advised that if you are asked a question by the opposite party’s lawyer just give a short reply. If you are wordy then you might say something that the lawyer will seize upon and trip you up and make you look foolish. So we need to take heed to what the bible says in the book of James chapter 1 verse 19, “So then, my beloved brethren let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
Even in things that are true many times it is better not to say anything so your words will not be take out of context. Has anyone ever done this to you? For example Job had made a statement that he felt that he had the same understanding that his so- called friends had. However, they misconstrued what he said. as if he pretended to be wiser than any man. They thought then that since Job would not grant to them the monopoly of wisdom, they then thought that he claimed it all to himself
7 “Are you the first man who was born? Or were you made before the hills? 8 Have you heard the counsel of God? Do you limit wisdom to yourself? 9 What do you know that we do not know? What do you understand that is not in us? 10 Both the gray-haired and the aged are among us, much older than your father.
People have various lines of patience. When someone in an argument crosses the threshold of their personal limit, then the person loses all of his or her self control. Often we see this happen in the news from domestic disputes. People wind up saying or doing things they ultimately want to forget ever doing. We see in these verses that Eliphaz has crossed the self-control end zone. He starts spewing out dumb remarks. He challenges Job that his remarks are so dumb he acts as though he has been alive since the time of creation. Notice the comments to Job, “were you around when God created Adam and all the earth such as when He formed the mountains? Did you have a special time Job like Adam had with Almighty God that He gave you individual counsel? We have the same understanding of matters that you proclaim to yourself. The older men who have had the personal direct experience of seeing history are still living and are a heck of a lot older than ever your dad.’
I love the situation in which our Precious Holy Lord Jesus took on the religious leaders. In this case He blew their minds when He exactly claimed that He was around during the creation. Let’s look at the Gospel of John chapter 8, “12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” 13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.” 14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. 17 It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.” 19 Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.” 20 These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come. 21 Then Jesus said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews said, “Will He kill Himself, because He says, ‘Where I go you cannot come’?” 23 And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” 25 Then they said to Him, “Who are You?” And Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. 26 I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him.” 27 They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father. 28 Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. 29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” 30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. 37 “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. 38 I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.” 39 They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. 41 You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” 48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. 50 And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51 Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” 52 Then the Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’ 53 Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. 55 Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” 57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” 59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.”
11 Are the consolations of God too small for you and the word spoken gently with you? 12 Why does your heart carry you away, and what do your eyes wink at, 13 that you turn your spirit against God, and let such words go out of your mouth?
Can you just imagine the gall now of Eliphaz. He charges him with contempt of the counsels and comforts that were given him by these 3 friends. Eliphaz is upset that Job did not value the comforts which he and his friends administered to him and did not welcome every word they said as true and important. What is startling is that Eliphaz is claiming that their remarks are from God. It is true they had said some very good things, but, in their application to Job, they were miserable comforters.
In truth the consolations of God are not in themselves small. Divine comforts are great things, that is, the comfort which is from God, especially the comfort which is in God. For me as I am giving a person advice, it is a scary thing to ever tell anyone aside from the word of God that I am telling them something that God told me.
Eliphaz goes on and charges job with opposition to God and His perfect ways. The apostle James tells us in chapter 1 verse 14 of his book that every man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust. Sin begins in the heart and when we allow sinful thoughts to take root they then become the priority in our hearts.
I have an extremely hard time going to retreats or conferences. In order to save money it is often that you wind up having 4 guys share a room. I cannot deal with that arrangement. When the guys begin to snore I wind up being awake all night. Then when I am in the meetings I begin to fall asleep. This is what Job is being charged with -Your keep drifting off from paying attention to falling asleep. Your eyes are winking. Here Eliphaz is telling Job that he is sharing great insights for Job’s benefit and is insulted that Job is not paying great attention to what he has to say. Eliphaz’s attitude is that for Job nodding off to sleep is that in reality he is insulting God. He thought Job’s spirit had turned against God, and so turned from what it had been that it ignored and blocked his ministry to him.
14 “What is man, that he could be pure? And he who is born of a woman, that he could be righteous? 15 If God puts no trust in His saints, and the heavens are not pure in His sight, 16 how much less man, who is abominable and filthy, who drinks iniquity like water!
Do you enjoy football? He is a tip in helping you understand more of what coaches are planning. Keep a note book with you as you view the game. When you see a play gain some significant yardage then make a note because I can almost guarantee you that the coach will use it again. In this sport and in the game of life we utilize the same reasoning. If it works once than perhaps it will work again. You might be thinking at this point, ‘what is he talking about?’
I want you to take a look at me again at the passage in chapter 4 when Eliphaz had Satan show up to give him some advice. See if you see the similarities now listed again by Eliphaz.
“13In disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, 14Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake. 15Then a spirit passed before my face; The hair on my body stood up. 16It 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? 18If He puts no trust in His servants, if He charges His angels with error, 19How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before a moth? 20They are broken in pieces from morning till evening; They perish forever, with no one regarding. 21Does not their own excellence go away? They die, even without wisdom.’
Can you see here how Eliphaz is throwing the same points at Job with a few more points added. He charges him with justifying himself to such a degree as even to deny his share in the common corruption and pollution of the human nature: What is man, that he should be clean? That is, that he should pretend to be so, or that any should expect to find him so. What is he that is born of a woman, a sinful woman, that he should be righteous?
Righteousness is cleanness; it makes us acceptable to God. Man, in his fallen state, cannot pretend to be clean and righteous before God, either to acquit himself to God’s justice or recommend himself to His favor. He is unclean and unrighteous because he is born of a woman, from whom he derives a corrupt nature, which is both his guilt and his pollution.
In chapter 4 Eliphaz infers from his visitor that God has no pleasure in humans who are His servants. Here now another shot is taken at mankind when Eliphaz insinuates that God also has no please in any believer [saint]. We are all just unrighteous filthy sinners.
However, if Eliphaz was truly advised by our Holy Master then he would have encouraged Job that though man, as born of a woman, is not clean, yet, as born again of the Spirit, he is clean. This would at least directed Job to focus on the Lord.
No, he is hurt that Job has resisted his advice so he is verbally on the attack.
I hate to break now because this Scripture is so interesting but we must do so. We will pick up the rest of this chapter in our next study.
