Job 5 | MHM | STEP | The Address of Eliphaz Eliphaz continues the conversation with Job. He suggests that when arguments become heated, it is wise to look for someone to help decide what is right. Eliphaz feels confident in his own beliefs, so he invites Job to find any holy person who would agree with him. He says that all the saints—God’s people—would be on his side. Eliphaz points out that good people are called "saints" even in the Old Testament (see Aaron is called the saint of the Lord , Psalm 106:16). He reminds Job that saints will judge the world ( The saints shall judge the world , 1 Corinthians 6:2 ), and that all true believers try to be friends and agree with other saints. Eliphaz believes there are some truths that all saints accept, such as the seriousness of sin and the importance of a holy life. v. 1 : Eliphaz challenges Job by saying, “Call now, if there be any that will answer you; and to which of the saints will you turn?” . He asks Job if he can find anyone holy who has suffered like him, or who would agree with his complaints. Eliphaz thinks Job is alone in his views, and that no saint would support his words or actions.

‏ Job 5

The Address of Eliphaz

Eliphaz continues the conversation with Job. He suggests that when arguments become heated, it is wise to look for someone to help decide what is right. Eliphaz feels confident in his own beliefs, so he invites Job to find any holy person who would agree with him. He says that all the saints—God’s people—would be on his side. Eliphaz points out that good people are called "saints" even in the Old Testament (see Aaron is called the saint of the Lord, Psalm 106:16). He reminds Job that saints will judge the world (The saints shall judge the world, 1 Corinthians 6:2 ^a), and that all true believers try to be friends and agree with other saints. Eliphaz believes there are some truths that all saints accept, such as the seriousness of sin and the importance of a holy life.

v. 1: Eliphaz challenges Job by saying, “Call now, if there be any that will answer you; and to which of the saints will you turn?” . He asks Job if he can find anyone holy who has suffered like him, or who would agree with his complaints. Eliphaz thinks Job is alone in his views, and that no saint would support his words or actions.

v. 2: Eliphaz then teaches that sin leads to a person’s own ruin: “Wrath kills the foolish man, and envy slays the silly one” . He says that anger and envy will destroy a person from the inside. Eliphaz suggests that Job’s misery comes from his own wrong attitude, like being angry at God or jealous of others. He believes that people suffer because of their own mistakes and sins. He also says that God’s anger brings death to those who do evil, and that no one can escape it.

v. 3: Eliphaz explains that the success of wicked people does not last: “I have seen the foolish taking root” . He says that even when bad people seem to be strong and settled, their success is only temporary. He believes that God’s judgment will come, and their happiness will not last.

v. 4: Eliphaz points out that the children of wicked people are often not safe: “His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, and there is none to deliver them” . He suggests that Job’s children died because of this pattern, saying that the families of those who do wrong can suffer loss and tragedy, and sometimes there is no one to help them.

v. 5: Eliphaz observes that the wealth of wicked people is taken away: “Whose harvest the hungry eat up, and take it even out of the thorns, and the robber swallows up their wealth” . He says that people who gain riches in the wrong way will lose them, often to robbers or enemies. God’s curse can reach through any protection, and the wicked will lose what they have gathered.

Eliphaz Encourages Job to Turn to God

After reminding Job of his losses, Eliphaz changes his tone and tries to give comfort. He explains that suffering does not happen by accident, and that trouble in life is something everyone should expect. Eliphaz also encourages Job to pray and trust God, because God is powerful and helps those who are humble. He gives examples of God’s power over nature and people, and shows how God can protect the poor and defeat those who do wrong.

v. 6: Eliphaz tells Job that trouble does not come from nowhere: “Affliction does not come from the dust, nor does trouble spring out of the ground” . He says our problems are not random, but are allowed by God. We should not blame chance or outside things, but see that God is in control.

v. 7: Eliphaz reminds Job that everyone faces trouble in life: “Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward” . Because all people are born into a sinful world (born of a woman, Job 14:1 ^b), suffering is normal. It happens again and again, just like sparks always rise from a fire (Romans 5:12 ^c).

v. 8: Eliphaz says what he would do if he were in Job’s place: “But as for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause” . He encourages Job to pray and trust God with his problems. Eliphaz believes that asking God for help is the best way to deal with trouble.

v. 9: Eliphaz describes God’s power: “He does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number” . God’s works are amazing and beyond our understanding (Ecclesiastes 3:11; Romans 11:33 ^d). Eliphaz wants Job to remember that God can do anything.

v. 10: Eliphaz says God controls nature: “He gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields” . Even everyday things, like rain, show God’s power and kindness (Acts 14:17 ^e).

v. 11: Eliphaz explains that God helps the humble: “He sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety” . God raises up people who have been brought low, and protects those who are sad or suffering (Psalm 12:5; Isaiah 33:16 ^f).

v. 12: Eliphaz says that God stops the plans of the proud: “He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so their hands achieve no success” . People may have clever plans, but God can stop them (Psalm 2:1-2 ^g).

v. 13: Eliphaz continues: “He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away” . God turns the tricks of the wicked back on themselves (1 Corinthians 3:19; Psalm 7:15-16 ^h).

v. 14: Eliphaz describes how God confuses the wicked: “They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope at noonday as in the night” . Even when things should be clear, God makes it hard for them to succeed (Job 12:25 ⁱ).

v. 15: Eliphaz says God saves those who are in need: “But He saves the needy from the sword of their mouth and from the hand of the mighty” . God protects the poor and helpless from those who want to harm them.

v. 16: Eliphaz finishes by saying: “So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts her mouth” . When God helps, those who do wrong are silenced, and people who are suffering can have hope (Psalm 76:8-9; Micah 7:16 ^j).

Blessed Is the One Whom God Corrects

This section contains the advice of Eliphaz to Job, encouraging him to accept God’s correction. Eliphaz says that suffering can be God’s way of teaching and improving people. If someone listens and learns from God’s discipline, that person will be blessed. Eliphaz describes the blessings that come to those who accept God’s correction, and he urges Job to trust in God’s justice and mercy.

v. 17: Eliphaz says, Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore do not despise the discipline of the Almighty . He means that when God allows trouble or suffering, it is sometimes to teach or correct us. We should not get angry or lose hope when God disciplines us, because God’s correction is a sign of His love, just as a parent corrects a child. This idea is also found in My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline (Proverbs 3:11; Hebrews 12:5 ^k).

v. 18: He continues, For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal . Eliphaz says that God may allow pain or loss, but He can also heal and restore. God’s discipline is never meant to destroy us, but to help us grow and become better people.

v. 19: Eliphaz assures Job, From six calamities he will rescue you; in seven no harm will touch you . This means that God can deliver His people from many dangers and troubles. Even if difficulties come one after another, God is able to save and protect us.

v. 20: He says, In famine he will redeem you from death, and in war from the power of the sword . God can keep us safe from hunger and from violence, even when times are hard and dangerous.

v. 21: You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes . God will shield His people from false accusations and cruel words. They will not need to be afraid even when bad things happen around them.

v. 22: You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the wild animals of the earth . Those who trust God will have such peace and confidence that even disasters will not make them afraid.

v. 23: You will have a covenant with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you . This means even nature itself will not harm them. God will make things work together for their good.

v. 24: You will know that your tent is secure; you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing . God will protect their homes and possessions, and nothing will be lost or stolen.

v. 25: You will know that your children will be many, and your descendants like the grass of the earth . God will bless them with a large and healthy family.

v. 26: You will come to the grave in full vigor, like sheaves gathered in season . Eliphaz promises that those who accept God’s discipline will live a long and fruitful life, dying at a good old age, like a harvest gathered at the right time.

v. 27: Eliphaz finishes, We have examined this, and it is true. So hear it and apply it to yourself (Job 5:27 ^l). He encourages Job to accept this advice and trust that God’s ways are best.

In summary, Eliphaz teaches that suffering can be God’s way of correcting and teaching us. If we accept His discipline, we will be blessed and protected. God is able to heal, save, and provide for those who trust in Him, even in the hardest times.