Beloved, I am pleased to share with you today the above theme from Job 22:1-2 and following. Indeed, athird set of speeches begins. Until now friends had spoken of the wicked in a general way: He does this, he deserves that (Jb 15:20-26). Now Eliphaz discovers the substance of his thought by direct accusations: your wickedness, your iniquities… (v. 5). How far this man and his two companions are from the teachings of the Lord who commands to remove the beam from his eye before removing the fetus from his brother’s eye (Mat 7:1-6). And also how far from his example: he who lowered himself to wash the feet of his disciples (Jean 13:13-17). Comparing v. 3 with what Jehovah said to Satan (Jb 1:6-12; Jb 2:1-6), we see how badly Eliphaz knows God. Nothing, on the contrary, is more pleasing to him than a man who practices righteousness (Acts 10:34-35). However, through these words, let us know how to listen to what the Spirit of God wants to tell us. If, for example, one of our readers was not yet at peace with God, let him obey the injunction of v. 21: “Reconcile with him, I beg you, and be at peace: thus happiness will come to you” (2 Cor 5:20-20). As for the next verse, is it not addressed to all of us who still have a lot of progress to make? “Receive the instruction from his mouth, and put his words in your heart“!
Eliphaz, caught quite unexpectedly by such a decisive response to his arguments, tries to reply for the last time, in the chapter we have before us. It is not surprising that he does not succeed. “And Eliphaz, the Themanite, answered and said, ‘Can man be of any benefit to God? It is to himself that the intelligent man will benefit.” The ground he is taking now is that God is above all the questions one might raise about whether a man’s conduct is useful to him or not. “Is it a pleasure for the Almighty that you are righteous, and a gain for him that you are perfect in your ways? Will he challenge with you because he fears you, and will he go with you in judgment?” He is not afraid to wither as a positive iniquity Job’s persistence in maintaining his integrity despite their imputations. “Isn’t your wickedness great, and aren’t your iniquities endless?” Stung by such an overwhelming response to his arguments, he now formally accuses Job of a hidden evil. Whoever suspects based on appearances, will even soon get rid of them. “For without cause you took a pledge from your brother, and you stripped of their clothes those who were naked.”
It was the very opposite of Job’s true character! “You did not give water to drink to the one who was pale with thirst, and you refused bread to the hungry.” Job had given more than Eliphaz had ever done. What could be more false than such accusations? “And the strong man… to him was the earth, and he who was considered dwelt there. You sent the widows away empty, and the orphans’ arms were crushed. That’s why there are traps around you… Reconcile with Him, I beg you, and be at peace… and the light will shine on your ways.” Entirely mistaken in his accusations, this grave old man became emboldened to the point of inviting Job to return from his ungodliness and to humble himself before God: “You will beg him and he will hear you.” He means that there was only one door of deliverance for him, namely humiliation before God because of his hypocrisy.
The second colloquium practically exhausted the subject of debate between Job and his friends. The three really have nothing more to say in terms of a terrible argument or example. Only Eliphaz tries to close the deal by directly accusing Job of vile and cowardly offenses. Bildad recites what can be called a short ode, and Zophar, if he speaks, simply repeats himself as someone determined, if possible, to have the last word. And why this third round? Although he has his own well-defined marks and Job’s closing speeches are important to show his state of mind, another motive seems to be required. And the following can be suggested. A last indignity offered, the last words of harsh judgment pronounced, Job begins a long review of his life, with the feeling of being victorious in the argumentation, but with sadness rather than exultation because his prayers are always unanswered: and during all this time the appearance of the Almighty is postponed.
The impression of prolonged delay is accentuated through the two hundred and twenty sentences of the third colloquium where, so to speak, all the resources of poetry are exhausted. A tragic sense of god’s silence hangs over the drama, as it hangs over human life. A man tries in vain to repel the slanders that almost break his heart. His accusers go from innuendo to insolence. He seeks by way of serious thought to escape their false reasoning; it appeals to God, to God in nature and providence to God in the supreme and glorious justice behind the veil of meaning and time. Apparently unheard of by the Almighty, he looks back on his life and repeats the proofs of his purity, generosity and faith; but the shadow remains. It is the test of human patience and proof that neither a man’s judgment of his own life nor the judgment expressed by other men can be final. God must decide, and for His decision men must wait. The author has felt in his own story this delay in celestial judgment, and he brings it out in his drama.
He also saw that on this side of death there can be no definitive reading of God’s judgment on a human life. We are waiting for God; It comes in a prophetic statement that all must accept with reverence; yet the statement is in general terms. When the Almighty finally speaks from the storm, the righteous and his accusers must acknowledge ignorance and error; there is an end to self-defense and condemnation by men, but no absolute determination of polemics. “The vision is for the set time, and it hurries towards the end, and will not lie. not right in him; but the righteous will live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:3). Eliphaz begins with a singular question, which he is prompted to state by all the content of Job’s reasoning and in particular by his hope that God would become his Redeemer. “Can a man be useful to God?” Not quite knowing what he is asking for, simply wanting to check the boldness of Job’s hope, he steps to the edge of an abyss of doubt. You, Job, it seems to say, a mere mortal creature, afflicted enough to know your own insignificance, how can you build yourself up in the idea that God is interested in your righteousness? You think that God believes in you and will justify you.
The only possible conclusion would be that even when we serve God fervently in love and sacrifice, we are actually serving ourselves. If someone fights against evil, clings to the truth, renounces everything for justice, it is good for him. If he has a hard and vile heart, his life will decompose and perish. But, in both cases, the eternal calm, the ineffable completeness of the divine nature are not affected. Yes, although all men and intelligent beings have been overwhelmed by eternal ruin, the glory of the Creator would remain the same, like a sun full of orb shining over a desolate universe.
The following verses have been compiled for youredificateand grouped together for your better understanding.
Eliphaz accuses Job of various crimes:
- Divine approval, possession of the, identified with being pleasing to God
-Make life safe Pr 16:7 When Jehovah approves of a man’s ways, He disposes favorably of him even his enemies.
-A characteristic of Christ Mt 3:17 And behold, a voice made these words heard from heaven: This is my beloved Son, in whom I have put all my affection.
-A goal of the true servant of God 1 Thes 2:4 but, according to God has deemed us worthy to entrust us with the Gospel, so we speak, not as if to please men, but to please God, who probes our hearts.
-The duty of the Christian 1 Thes 4:1 Moreover, brethren, since you have learned from us how you must conduct yourself and please God, and this is what you are doing, we pray to you and we conjure you in the name of the Lord Jesus to walk in this regard from progress to progress.
-Enoch, example of Hb 11:5 It was by faith that Enoch was raptured so that he would not see death, and that he would no longer appear because God had taken him away; for before his rapture he had received the testimony that he was pleasing to God.
-Goodness, a means of Hb 13:16 And do not forget beneficence and liberality, for it is to such sacrifices that God takes pleasure.
- Path of Sin, General References
Pr 12:15 The way of the fool is straight in his eyes, but he who listens to counsel is wise. Pr 14:12 Such a way seems straight to a man, but its way out is the way of death. Isaiah 59:8 They do not know the way of peace, and there is no righteousness in their ways; They take circuitous paths: Whoever walks there knows no peace. – Mt 7.13 Enter through the narrow door. For wide is the door, spacious is the path that leads to perdition, and there are many who enter through it.
- The promised light
-To those who obey Jb 22:28 Your resolutions will be answered by success; On your paths will shine the light. Ps 97:11 Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for those whose hearts are straight.
-To righteous men Ps 112:4 The light rises in darkness for righteous men, for him who is merciful, compassionate and just.
-To the righteous Pr 4:18 The path of the righteous is like the resplendent light, whose brilliance grows until the middle of the day.
To the benevolent Isa 58:8 Then your light will shine like the dawn, and your healing will germinate promptly; Your righteousness will walk before you, and the glory of the Lord will accompany you.
-To the Church of the future Isa 60:20 Your sun will no longer set, and your moon will no longer darken; For the Lord will be your light forever, and the days of your mourning will be over.
- Security of the saints, they are firmly established
Ps 40:3 He removed me from the pit of destruction, From the bottom of the mud; And He set my feet on the rock, He strengthened my steps. Ps 112:8 His heart is strengthened; he has no fear, until he puts his pleasure in looking at his opponents. 2 Thess 2:17 console your hearts, and strengthen you in all good work and word! Hb 13:9 Do not allow yourselves to be carried away by various and foreign doctrines; for it is good that the heart be strengthened by grace, and not by foods which have served no purpose to those who have attached themselves to them.
From all the above, we note that the vows that Job made in the time of distress will be redeemed, for the desired help will come. Beyond that, there will be, in everyday life, a strength, a decision and a freedom previously unknown. “You will decree one thing, and it will be established for you.” The man who is finally on the right path, with God as his ally, will form his plans and know how to realize them. Certainly, in Job’s future experience, there may be disappointments and problems. Eliphaz can only see that the bad will of the populace can last a long time, and perhaps he doubts the mood of his own friends. But God will help His servant who returns to humble obedience. And having been tested himself, Job will intercede for those in distress, perhaps because of their sin, and his intercession will prevail with God. Put aside the thought that all this is said to Job, and this is surely wisdom advice. To the proud and arrogant, he shows the way to renewal. Farewell to the treasures, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life, which guard the soul of his salvation. May divine love be precious to you and may the divine settle your joy. The power to manage life, to overcome difficulties, to serve your generation will then be yours. Standing safely in God’s grace, you will help those who are tired and heavily burdened. Yet Eliphaz cannot give the secret of spiritual peace. He doesn’t really know the evil at the heart of human life. We need for our Guide the One who has borne the burden of a sorrow that has nothing to do with the loss of a worldly treasure but with the troubles that perpetually eat away at the heart of humanity, who “carried our sin in His own body to the tree” and led captive captivity. What the old world could not have known is made clear to the eyes who saw the cross against the falling night and a resurrected Christ in the cool Easter morning. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom as I walk in your ways.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “Job complains that God is hidden from him – He again affirms his innocence and is terrified.” (Jb 23)
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.