A Study in Job part fifteen

Eliphaz didn't openly say, “Job, you have sinned against God, and He is chastening you,” but he infers it by speaking of the benefits those get who seek and serve God. He firstly honors God by singing His praises, saying that He does great things without number. He gives rain to the earth and exalts the lowly. He frustrates the devices of the crafty and catches the wise in their own craftiness. But Eliphaz then says that those whom God chastens are happy. This is true. The writer of Hebrews even quotes this verse when speaking of God’s chastening hand upon His children. Eliphaz says that no evil shall touch those who seek the Lord. They shall laugh at destruction and famine, not be afraid of the beasts of the earth, and they shall have peace in their tents. They shall visit their dwelling and find nothing amiss. Their descendants shall be many, and their offspring shall be like the grass of the earth. Then he said, “Behold, this we have searched out; it is true. Hear it, and know for yourself.”

But this brought some confusion. Job’s descendants had been killed. He had no offspring. No doubt God did bless the righteous. No doubt He did chasten his children when they went astray, but Job maintained that he hadn’t done anything amiss; he'd done nothing to deserve his suffering. He firstly answers Eliphaz and then directs himself to God. He humbly confesses that his words have been rash, but justifies them by speaking of his suffering. He likens the pain to poisonous arrows that have pierced his very soul and seeped poison into his spirit. Even the tastiest of food turns his stomach. He had nothing for which to live, and longs for God to take him into the refuge of death. He then says to his friends, “To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend…” and asks, “Did I ever say, ‘Bring something to me’? Or, ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth’?” He added, “…you overwhelm the fatherless, and you undermine your friend. Now therefore, be pleased to look at me; for I would never lie to your face. Yield now, let there be no injustice! Yes, concede, my righteousness still stands.”

Here begins the famous contention between Job and his friends. They maintain that his suffering is just in that he has clearly done something to bring God’s disapproval. Job says that he hasn’t, and we know that Job is in the right because we have seen behind the veil. We have seen that God Himself said of him, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” So while it is sometimes true that suffering comes to us by the hand of God, to chasten those He loves, it wasn’t the case with Job.

Continued tomorrow...