Beth-El Baptist Church

10/19/2008

Greg Tomlinson


How can we understand Job 4?


Job 4 is the first interaction of Job's friends regarding his predicament. From what Job knows, his wealth and children have all been taken away in one day (Job 1). Job's faith in God remained intact as he praised and honored God (Job 1). Job's health degrades as boils cover his entire body (Job 2). Job becomes frustrated with his loss and illness and is sorrowful concerning the day of his birth (Job 3). At the end of their time together, God rebukes the view of Job's friends, especially focusing on Eliphaz (Job 42:7-8).


  1. What sets up the rebuke of Eliphaz (and his friends) toward Job?

Job 3:25-26 Psalm 122:6-7

Jeremiah 12:1 Lamentations 1:5

Joshua 11:23 Ruth 3:18

Genesis 8:4 Exodus 17:11

Acts 20:26-27 Philippians 3:6


Job recounted his past life and proclaimed that he was not focused on improving his own status in life but he was continually moving forward seeking to do all that God would want him to do. He did not rest at ease but was diligent in all of his acts and service, especially with respect to God. Although he continually sought to do what was good and right, trouble or turmoil came upon him.


  1. What is Eliphaz's first accusation against Job?

Job 4:1-6 Romans 2:17-23

Mark 10:29-31 2 Corinthians 12:7-11

2 Thessalonians 1:4-5 Psalm 27:3-5

James 2:18


Eliphaz identifies the help and encouragement he has been to many others. He associates the work that Job did with trying to please God. Eliphaz claims that Job was helping others so that he might have some sort of reward and not encounter any sickness or loss. He claims that Job is confused and cannot handle the arrival of calamity in his life. Eliphaz associates the fear that Job has, fear toward God be implied, as the source of his confidence, his hope, and the integrity of his ways. From Eliphaz's view, these were being done by Job not out of faith but out of a fear of God's repraisal. Yet the scriptures are clear, it is not the workings of man that make us acceptable but our faith in God. The works that we do for others are to be an outflow of our relationship with God.


  1. What is Eliphaz's second accusation against Job?

Job 4:7-11 Luke 13:2-5

Exodus 34:6-7 John 9:1-3


Eliphaz proclaims that it is only the guilty who will encounter the severe trouble and tribulations of life. Those who are righteous will not encounter such things. It is entirely proper for him to conclude that Job is clearly in the wrong before God and that he must confess his deep dark sins and seek to make amends. Yet he does not acknowledge that difficulties in life occur. Just because someone is going through turbulent times does not mean that they are worse sinners than anybody else but that God may very well be preparing them for something greater or it could be just a part of living life in a fallen world.


  1. What is Eliphaz's third accusation against Job?

Job 4:12-21 Luke 18:18-20

Romans 3:9-18; 4:1-3; 5:1-6 Isaiah 1:18-20

1 Corinthians 2:4-6, 14-16; 5:18-21


Eliphaz looks at the righteousness of men in comparison to God's. He points out that a man cannot be more righteous than God and that there is no one in whom God is able to trust. Since all living creatures, both the heavenly and earthly beings, are inferior to God, God will not even consider looking upon man with any sense of favor. Yet he does not understand the issue of faith. Man can be found just and righteous before God by faith. As man truly trusts God, acknowledges his own sinfulness and therefore his need for the redemption of Jesus Christ, man can be declared just and righteous and thus acceptable before God.


Summary:


There is much that Eliphaz says that is true, but he neglects the issue of faith and trust in the living God. He misses the point that God does look favorably upon men who trust Him and seek to be obedience. He also misses the point that even bad things happen to faithful and “good” people. It is a part of living in a fallen world.