Eliphaz Gives a Second Speech
April 12, 2021
Commentary
This chapter records Eliphaz’s second speech to Job (vv. 1–35). Considering himself wise and experienced, he rebukes Job sharply. He asks whether a wise man should speak empty and profitless words (vv. 1–3). He even claims that Job’s words weaken reverence for God (v. 4). In his first speech, Eliphaz was gentler. Now his tone becomes harsh and accusing. He no longer treats Job as sincerely mistaken, but as a man with a corrupt heart. He charges him with reckless speech (vv. 1–6) and with claiming wisdom beyond others (vv. 7–16), showing little compassion for his suffering friend.
Eliphaz insists that Job has shown himself unwise. He goes beyond accusing him of pride and suggests that his words come from inner sin (v. 6). With sarcasm he asks, “Art thou the first man that was born? or wast thou made before the hills?” (v. 7). He questions what secret knowledge Job has that they do not share (vv. 8–9). After all, they have age and experience (v. 10). He reminds Job of what he calls God’s consolations (v. 11) and asks why anger fills his heart (vv. 12–13). Eliphaz argues that no human is pure before God (v. 14). Even the heavens are not clean in His sight (v. 15), so how much less mankind (v. 16).
Eliphaz then describes the fate of the wicked (vv. 17–35). He says suffering follows sinners daily (v. 20). Terrifying sounds fill their ears (v. 21). They expect attack and live in darkness (vv. 21–22). Trouble and anguish pursue them (vv. 23–24). He explains that such judgment comes because they oppose God with pride (vv. 25–27). They dwell in ruined houses (v. 28), lose their wealth (v. 29), and face darkness and fire (v. 30). Their confidence proves empty (v. 31). In the end, destruction and falsehood mark their lives (vv. 34–35).
Application
When someone suffers, do I speak with compassion or with harsh judgment like Eliphaz? Do I assume I understand everything because of age or experience? Am I quick to label others instead of listening? I want my words to com-fort, not wound. Lord, help me speak truth with humility and love in every conversation I have today.
Job 15:1–35 (NET)
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered:
2 “Does a wise man answer with blustery knowledge, or fill his belly with the east wind?
3 Does he argue with useless talk, with words that have no value in them?
4 But you even break off piety, and hinder meditation before God.
5 Your sin inspires your mouth; you choose the language of the crafty.
6 Your own mouth condemns you, not I; your own lips testify against you.
7 “Were you the first man ever born? Were you brought forth before the hills?
8 Do you listen in on God’s secret council? Do you limit wisdom to yourself?
9 What do you know that we don’t know? What do you understand that we don’t understand?
10 The gray-haired and the aged are on our side, men far older than your father.
11 Are God’s consolations too trivial for you, or a word spoken in gentleness to you?
12 Why has your heart carried you away, and why do your eyes flash,
13 when you turn your rage against God and allow such words to escape from your mouth?
14 What is man that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous?
15 If God places no trust in his holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes,
16 how much less man, who is abominable and corrupt, who drinks in evil like water!
17 “I will explain to you; listen to me, and what I have seen, I will declare,
18 what wise men declare, hiding nothing, from the tradition of their ancestors,
19 to whom alone the land was given when no foreigner passed among them.
20 All his days the wicked man suffers torment, throughout the number of the years that are stored up for the tyrant.
21 Terrifying sounds fill his ears; in a time of peace marauders attack him.
22 He does not expect to escape from darkness; he is marked for the sword;
23 he wanders about—food for vultures — he knows that the day of darkness is at hand.
24 Distress and anguish terrify him; they prevail against him like a king ready to launch an attack,
25 for he stretches out his hand against God, and vaunts himself against the Almighty,
26 defiantly charging against him with a thick, strong shield!
27 Because he covered his face with fat, and made his hips bulge with fat,
28 he lived in ruined towns and in houses where no one lives, where they are ready to crumble into heaps.
29 He will not grow rich, and his wealth will not endure, nor will his possessions spread over the land.
30 He will not escape the darkness; a flame will wither his shoots and he will depart by the breath of God’s mouth.
31 Let him not trust in what is worthless, deceiving himself; for worthlessness will be his reward.
32 Before his time he will be paid in full, and his branches will not flourish.
33 Like a vine he will let his sour grapes fall, and like an olive tree he will shed his blossoms.
34 For the company of the godless is barren, and fire consumes the tents of those who accept bribes.
35 They conceive trouble and bring forth evil; their belly prepares deception.”
Be Careful Who You Rebuke
The clergyman was disturbed during a sermon by some noisy people. He did not scold or manifest any sign of anger. “I am always reluctant,” he said quietly, “to expose those who misbehave during services, because of an experience … Continue