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Job

CHAPTER 4

1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, 2 If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?

There seems to be a protocol in the answering of Job throughout the story. Eliphaz is evidently the eldest of the friends, and so he is the one who speaks first.
Notice the beginning of his statement is prefaced with a personal contradiction. He says if he speaks, Job will be grieved; however, he cannot keep himself from speaking.

3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. 4 Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees. 5 But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled. 6 Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways? 7 Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? 8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.

Eliphaz is appalled that a man who has been a "teacher" of patience would be impatient enough to question God.
Verse 7 indicates that Eliphaz believes that a man who is "righteous" will not be "cut off," or be stricken with such tragedies as Job is suffering. Throughout his speeches, Eliphaz uses his own experiences as infallible knowledge.
One cannot assume all knowledge in and of himself. And our own experiences are tiny in respect to all that happens in the world.
The righteous do suffer, and some even die at the hands of others because of righteousness.
Indeed, (verse 8) a person who "plows" (or plants) wickedness will "reap" the same. This is a truth (see Galations 6:7). However, a friend should encourage a friend not to be "weary in well doing." (Galatians 6:9)

Job 4:9-17 9 By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed. 10 The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken. 11 The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad. 12 Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof. 13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men, 14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. 15 Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up: 16 It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying, 17 Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?

Here is a severe contradiction of philosophical reasoning.
It is true that God makes the ultimate decision of man's life and death (verse 9).
And it is also true that man is not more righteous than God (verse 17).
However, Job has not expressed that he is better or wiser than God. Job has only questioned the action of God concerning his difficulties.
Eliphaz misunderstood what Job has said, and is rebuffing him. When Job was expressing perplexity, Eliphaz understood him to be recanting the faith.
There is a danger in questioning God, but it is natural that a man will do so.
Eliphaz refers to a dream. This is an experience that only ONE man can have. Some dreams do give guidance from God. Many times God uses dreams in the Bible to guide His people. However, MOST dreams aren't worth recounting. Mostly, dreams are restless wanderings of the mind have little validity.
When a person begins to base his theology upon experiences that ONLY he can have, it is a dangerous theology. Our thoughts concerning God should be based upon His self-revelation in the Word.

18 Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly: 19 How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth? 20 They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it. 21 Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.

Indeed, God is the ONLY righteous One. Sin has been found in angels, and certainly man has no assurance of his own estate any more than a moth. We are not promised more than THIS day.
Eliphaz does make some true statements.
However, he contradicts himself very often. In verses 7 and 8, he says that the righteous will not be "cut off." Yet, in verses 20-21, he says that ALL are destroyed and never gain wisdom.
Eliphaz is accusing Job of having judged God for allowing his tragedies. When a person questions God, it does not necessarily mean that he is judging God's actions.

CHAPTER 5
1 Call now, if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn? 2 For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one. 3 I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation. 4 His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, neither is there any to deliver them. 5 Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance. 6 Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; 7 Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

Eliphaz assumes Job has spoken in anger. And he states that anger is foolish.
Eliphaz seems to indicate that intellectual knowledge is the ultimate answer of faith.
In verses 6 and 7, Eliphaz states that the earth is not evil in itself, but man is. He is assuming then, that trouble in life is inevitable.
This is indeed a truth. Because of man's sinfulness we should expect trouble in our lives just as surely as "sparks fly upward."

8 I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: 9 Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number: 10 Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields: 11 To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety. 12 He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. 13 He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong. 14 They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in the night. 15 But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty. 16 So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth. 17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: 18 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.

When Eliphaz says he would submit his cause unto God, he is including his perception of God. In other words, only HIS perception of God is correct!
It is true that God's providential wisdom guides the actions of all men (verses 11-12). God is at liberty to work within His creation in any way He so chooses.
Eliphaz also determines that God exercises correction upon His children (verses 17-18).
However, Eliphaz is assuming that all tragedy is a result of God's punishment or correction upon sinful man.
God uses tragedies for many other purposes too. For instance, God uses tragedies to give a person experience from which he can testify to the goodness of God.
God also uses tragedies to be a witness to others of the faithfulness of His saved people. And THAT is precisely the purpose of THIS book of Job.
The experience of tragedy in Job's life will PROVE that a man truly saved will not depart from the faith - even though he may question God.

19 He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. 20 In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword. 21 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh. 22 At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth. 23 For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee. 24 And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin. 25 Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth. 26 Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season. 27 Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.

Look at the last verse first. Throughout his vast experiences, Eliphaz has learned some things he would teach Job.
Friends, when a brother or sister in the Lord is DOWN, he doesn't need teaching; he needs LOVE and ENCOURAGEMENT; he needs a HAND UP!
Eliphaz states (verses 19-26) that God will NEVER let a truly righteous person suffer as Job is suffering. Now friends, THAT'S bad theology!
Job gives a simple, but very wise, answer to this type of reasoning in chapter 6, verse 14.

"To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty." (New King James Version)