Job 22
Third Address of Eliphaz.In this section, Eliphaz begins his third speech to Job. He hints that Job’s complaints suggest he thinks God is unfair. Eliphaz argues that no one can make God owe them anything by being good. He says that even if a person is very wise or righteous, it does not benefit God or add to His greatness. Eliphaz also teaches that God does not punish people because He fears them or feels threatened. Instead, God acts out of His perfect wisdom and justice.v. 1-2: Eliphaz asks if anyone can be truly useful to God. Can a man be profitable to God, as he who is wise may be profitable to himself? (Job 22:2 a). He explains that even the best people do not make God richer or greater, but their wisdom and goodness do help themselves. God is already perfect and does not need anything from us. – v. 3: Eliphaz continues, Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that you are righteous? or is it gain to him, that you make your ways perfect? . While God is pleased with good people, it does not add anything to His own happiness or perfection. Our good deeds do not make God any better, though He chooses to accept and delight in them. v. 4: Eliphaz asks, Will he reprove you for fear of you? Will he enter with you into judgment? . He says God does not punish people because He is afraid of them or because they threaten Him, the way human rulers sometimes do. God is never jealous or worried about losing power. He is always just and fair in His actions (Job 35:5-8 b). Job Accused of Various Crimes.In this section, Eliphaz goes further than before. He now accuses Job of specific sins, instead of just speaking in general terms. Eliphaz claims Job must be guilty of many terrible things, or else he would not be suffering so much. These are harsh and false accusations, showing how unfair it is to judge others without real evidence. Sometimes, even good people are wrongly blamed by others.v. 5: Eliphaz says, Is not your wickedness great? Are not your iniquities infinite? . He claims that Job’s sins are so many and so serious that they cannot be counted. Eliphaz thinks Job’s suffering proves he must have done terrible things. v. 6: He accuses Job of being cruel to the poor. You have taken a pledge from your brother for nothing, and stripped the naked of their clothing . Eliphaz says Job took things from people who could not pay their debts and left them with nothing, even their clothes. This was against the law of Moses (Exodus 22:26; Deuteronomy 24:13 c). v. 7: He says Job did not help those in need. You have not given water to the weary to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry . Eliphaz claims Job refused to give even simple help to people who were suffering (Proverbs 3:27 d). v. 8: Eliphaz also says Job favored the rich and powerful. But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honored man dwelt in it . He suggests Job was unfair, letting the rich have their way while ignoring the poor (Luke 14:12-14 e). v. 9: He claims Job was unkind to widows and orphans. You have sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken . According to Eliphaz, Job did not care for the most helpless people, but instead allowed harm to come to them. v. 10-11: Eliphaz blames Job’s suffering on these supposed sins. Therefore snares are all around you, and sudden fear troubles you. Or darkness, so that you cannot see; and an abundance of waters covers you (Job 22:10-11 f). He says Job’s troubles are punishment for his lack of mercy and justice. – v. 12: Eliphaz reminds Job that God is exalted in heaven. Is not God in the height of heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are! . He says Job should remember God’s greatness and not question His ways. v. 13: He accuses Job of thinking God cannot see what happens on earth. And you say, What does God know? Can he judge through the dark cloud? . Eliphaz suggests Job believes God is too far away to notice what people do. v. 14: He continues, Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he does not see; and he walks in the circuit of heaven . Eliphaz claims Job thinks God does not care about what happens in the world below, which is a serious misunderstanding of God’s character (Psalm 19:6 g). Judgments Executed on the Wicked.Here, Eliphaz tries to warn Job by reminding him of the destruction that came to sinners in the past. He compares Job’s situation to the people of the old world who were destroyed by the flood, and the people of Sodom who were burned by fire. Eliphaz uses these examples to say that if Job does not repent, he could face even worse judgment. He encourages Job to learn from history and not follow the same path as those who rejected God.v. 15: Eliphaz asks Job if he will keep walking in the same path as wicked people did in the past. Have you marked the old way which wicked men have trodden? . He wants Job to think about where that path leads—to destruction. v. 16: He reminds Job of the people in Noah’s time. Who were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood . These sinners died suddenly and early, and everything they built was swept away by the flood (2 Peter 2:5; Matthew 7:27 h). v. 17: Eliphaz says these people told God to leave them alone. They said unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them? (Job 22:17; Job 21:14 i). They did not want God in their lives and did not believe He could help or harm them (Zephaniah 1:12 j). v. 18: Even though God had given them many good things, they still rejected Him. Yet he filled their houses with good things: but the counsel of the wicked is far from me . Eliphaz agrees with Job in rejecting the ways of the wicked, even if they seem to prosper for a while (Micah 6:3 k). v. 19: Eliphaz says that good people will be glad when they see the punishment of the wicked. The righteous see it, and are glad; and the innocent laugh them to scorn . They rejoice, not because others suffer, but because justice is done and evil is defeated (Psalm 2:4; Proverbs 1:26 l). v. 20: Eliphaz says the righteous are not destroyed like the wicked. Whereas our substance is not cut down, but the remnant of them the fire consumes . He believes that because he and his friends are safe, they must be favored by God. However, this is not always a reliable way to judge who is truly righteous. Submit to God and Be at Peace This section contains advice from Eliphaz to Job. Eliphaz tells Job to turn to God, accept His teachings, and find peace. He promises that if Job repents and trusts God, he will be blessed. Eliphaz explains that true happiness comes from knowing God and following His ways. He encourages Job to let go of sin, trust in God’s wisdom, and speak honestly to Him. The message is about finding hope and restoration by seeking a close relationship with God.v. 21: Eliphaz says, Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you . He encourages Job to accept God’s authority and promises that peace and good things will follow. v. 22: He tells Job to accept instruction from God’s mouth and store up God’s words in his heart . Learning from God is the path to wisdom. v. 23: Eliphaz promises, If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored . He says Job must remove sin from his life, symbolized by casting gold to the dust. v. 24: He tells Job to put away his gold and treasures, treating them as dust, and the Almighty will be Job’s treasure instead . v. 25: Eliphaz says, Then the Almighty will be your gold, the choicest silver for you . He means that God’s presence is better than any riches. v. 26: He explains that if Job delights in the Almighty, he will lift up his face to God with confidence . Joy comes from loving God. v. 27: Eliphaz says Job will pray to God, and God will hear him. Job will keep his promises and vows to God . v. 28: He tells Job, What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways . God will guide and bless Job’s plans if he trusts in Him. v. 29: Eliphaz says that when people are humbled, God will lift up those who are humble . God helps those who do not think too highly of themselves. v. 30: He ends by saying God will save even those who are not innocent, because Job’s hands are clean (Job 22:30 m). Eliphaz believes that Job’s faithfulness can also help and rescue others.
Copyright information for
MHM