Job is Chastened by God
February 18, 2022
Commentary
All three of Job’s friends made the mistake of assuming that Job had committed a great sin that caused his suffering. Neither they nor Job knew about Satan’s conversation with God (Job 1:6). Eliphaz spoke as if Job were a foolish man who had prospered and was then cursed by God. He believed this curse explained the loss of Job’s children and wealth (vv. 1–8), and from Eliphaz’s perspective, Job’s suffering proved his guilt beyond question. He re-lied on tradition and observation, not divine revelation, when judging Job’s pain and suffering. His certainty left little room for listening, patience, or compassion toward a suffering friend. Such certainty often silences genuine care.
Eliphaz advised Job to appeal to God, giving several reasons for his confidence. He described God as majestic and powerful (v. 9), benevolent in sending rain for crops (v. 10), caring toward the sorrowing (v. 11), and able to frustrate the plans of the crafty (vv. 12–14). He also said God delivers the needy and poor from oppression (vv. 15–16). These statements reflect true qualities of God drawn from wisdom, experience, and long-held religious tradition alone.
Because of this view, Eliphaz believed Job should trust God’s mercy and stop insisting on his innocence. He suggested Job’s suffering was discipline meant to lead him to repentance and eventual restoration (vv. 17–27). While Eliphaz was right that God’s discipline can be a blessing, his words did not apply to Job’s situation. Knowing what Job could not, we see that Eliphaz’s speech failed to comfort him, leaving Job distressed, misunderstood, and still crying out for help and understanding. True comfort requires presence, humility, and patient listening.
Application
How I respond to hurting people today. Do I judge too quickly, using experience instead of listening? Do I offer true words without compassion? Will I slow down, listen with patience, and show mercy before advising someone who is suffering? Can I be present, not certain, and trust God to guide my response?
Job 5:1–27 (NET)
1 “Call now! Is there anyone who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn?
2 For wrath kills the foolish person, and anger slays the silly one.
3 I myself have seen the fool taking root, but suddenly I cursed his place of residence.
4 His children are far from safety, and they are crushed at the place where judgment is rendered, nor is there anyone to deliver them.
5 The hungry eat up his harvest, and take it even from behind the thorns, and the thirsty pant for their wealth.
6 For evil does not come up from the dust, nor does trouble spring up from the ground,
7 but people are born to trouble, as surely as the sparks fly upward.
8 “But as for me, I would seek God, and to God I would set forth my case.
9 He does great and unsearchable things, marvelous things without number;
10 he gives rain on the earth, and sends water on the fields;
11 he sets the lowly on high, that those who mourn are raised to safety.
12 He frustrates the plans of the crafty so that their hands cannot accomplish what they had planned.
13 He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the counsel of the cunning is brought to a quick end.
14 They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope about in the noontime as if it were night.
15 So he saves from the sword that comes from their mouth, even the poor from the hand of the powerful.
16 Thus the poor have hope, and iniquity shuts its mouth.
17 “Therefore, blessed is the man whom God corrects, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
18 For he wounds, but he also bandages; he strikes, but his hands also heal.
19 He will deliver you from six calamities; yes, in seven no evil will touch you.
20 In time of famine he will redeem you from death, and in time of war from the power of the sword.
21 You will be protected from malicious gossip, and will not be afraid of the destruction when it comes.
22 You will laugh at destruction and famine and need not be afraid of the beasts of the earth.
23 For you will have a pact with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you.
24 And you will know that your home will be secure, and when you inspect your domains, you will not be missing anything.
25 You will also know that your children will be numerous, and your descendants like the grass of the earth.
26 You will come to your grave in a full age, As stacks of grain are harvested in their season.
27 Look, we have investigated this, so it is true. Hear it, and apply it for your own good.”
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