Beth-El Baptist Church

11/02/2008

Greg Tomlinson


How can we understand Job 5? (Part 2)


Job 5 is the Eliphaz's continuation of his accusations against Job. While Job 4 made pointed accusations against Job himself, Job 5 is Eliphaz's justification for his accusations against Job. Remember when seeking to understand the messages of Eliphaz and his friends that God made His assessment as “And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.” (Job 42:7). This means that while Eliphaz's remarks may carry some truth, on the whole, they are in error.


CONTINUED from Job5_A


  1. What is Eliphaz's third supporting statement? God stops the “wise”

Job 5:12-14 Galatians 6:7-8

1 Corinthians 3:18-20 Romans 1:20-23; 8:6-8

Judges 2:1-3; 20-23 2 Corinthians 12:7-10


Since God is the sovereign ruler and He is able to make the plans of the “wise” come to nothing, Job was stopped by God because he was relying on his own wisdom and capabilities rather than on God. What Eliphaz neglected to consider that there are difficulties in our life that come about simply to evaluate and expose the faith of a man. Sometimes problems are not the result of personal sin but the result of the fall (Genesis 3) and used of God not for discipline nor correction but for the purpose of God's perfecting work.


  1. What is Eliphaz's fourth supporting statement? God lifts up the “weak”

Job 5:15-16 Galatians 6:3-4

2 Corinthians 4:8-11; 12:10 Matthew 23:8-12

Psalm 34:18; 51:17 Isaiah 57:15-16; 66:2


Eliphaz points out that it is God who will protect the weak and needy. Those in great need, and by implication seeks protection and provision from God, will receive it. It is the poor (and humble), that will receive the benefits from God's presence.


  1. What is Eliphaz's solution? Turn to God and be restored.

Job 5:17-27 Hebrews 12:7-11

Luke 18:13-14 John 9:1-3; 16:33

1 Peter 1:1-9; 2:21-24


Eliphaz identifies the truth that sometimes hardships come from God are not the result of condemnation and judgment but of discipline and correction. The goal of God in this case is to make us more like we ought to be, more like Jesus. The implication of Eliphaz is that the one who is receiving discipline from God will never encounter any problems of any kind. This is contradictory to the story of Jesus himself who was perfect, and needed no discipline from God, but he suffered as well. The reality is that sometimes trouble happens as judgment from God, sometimes as discipline from God, and other times for building up and making one stronger. Eliphaz seems to neglect these issues.


Summary:


Eliphaz uses his own experience and wisdom to explain Job's problems in terms of Job's own activities. It could be because Job is a great sinner and God is judging him. It could be because Job does belong to God and is just be disciplined, still a sign of sin in his life. He does neglect that God may have a greater purpose in mind for Job so that the faith of Job could be put on display for all to see so that God would be honored and glorified and that encouragement for others could be manifest in times of great troubles.