Eliphaz Continues – The Misguided Counsel of Comfort

Date: Wednesday Night, October 30, 2024

Main Text: Job 5:1–27 (KJV)

Introduction to Job Chapter 5:

In Job 5, Eliphaz continues his response to Job’s lament. His counsel, while rooted in traditional wisdom, is ultimately misguided and lacks compassion. Eliphaz firmly believes that Job’s suffering is a consequence of sin, and he encourages Job to seek God’s forgiveness, arguing that God is a just and corrective force. However, Eliphaz fails to see the true reason behind Job’s suffering, assuming that Job’s hardships result from a hidden sin rather than a divine test.

Key Themes in Chapter 5:

1. Traditional Wisdom vs. Divine Wisdom:

Eliphaz relies on traditional wisdom, which doesn’t fully address the complexity of Job’s situation.

2. Misinterpretation of Suffering:

Eliphaz’s error lies in assuming that suffering is always a consequence of sin.

3. God’s Discipline and Deliverance:

Eliphaz speaks of God’s correction but misunderstands its purpose in Job’s case.

Section 1: Eliphaz’s Call to Seek God (Job 5:1–7)

Read: Job 5:1–7

Job 5:1–7 KJV 1900

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.

Verse 1 (KJV): “Call now, if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn?”

Discussion:

• Call to the Heavenly Council (Verse 1):

Eliphaz sarcastically suggests that Job should call upon the heavenly beings (saints or angels), implying that none would defend him. This rhetorical question reveals Eliphaz’s skepticism about Job’s innocence.

• The Folly of Anger (Verses 2-3):

Eliphaz warns against resentment, suggesting that anger only brings destruction. His words imply that Job’s sorrow may have resulted from internal bitterness.

Verse 2 (KJV): “For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.”

By highlighting the dangers of anger, Eliphaz essentially attributes Job’s suffering to an unresolved sin.

• The Suffering of the Fool (Verses 4-7):

Eliphaz argues that suffering is inevitable for the foolish, comparing Job’s suffering to that of those who bring it upon themselves. However, in verse 7, he makes an insightful statement about human nature:

Verse 7 (KJV): “Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.”

Here, Eliphaz speaks a truth about human existence—that suffering is inherent in life. This insight is correct but is misapplied to Job’s situation.

Section 2: God’s Discipline and Deliverance (Job 5:8–16)

Read: Job 5:8–16

Job 5:8–16 KJV 1900

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.

Verse 8 (KJV): “I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause.”

Key Points:

• Turning to God (Verse 8):

Eliphaz advises Job to turn back to God. This counsel is sound in itself; however, Eliphaz implies that Job’s only solution is to confess sin he hasn’t committed.

• The Sovereignty of God (Verses 9-10):

Eliphaz speaks of God’s greatness, noting that He does “great things and unsearchable; marvelous things without number.” This reminder of God’s sovereignty and wisdom is beautiful but misses the mark, as Eliphaz does not grasp God’s greater purpose in Job’s trial.

Verse 9 (KJV): “Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvelous things without number.”

• God’s Justice and Care (Verses 11-16):

Eliphaz extols God’s care for the poor and needy, arguing that God protects the righteous and brings down the wicked. He believes that God’s deliverance is automatic for those who are blameless, failing to see Job’s righteousness.

Verse 15 (KJV): “But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.”

Eliphaz’s words reflect traditional wisdom but lack depth and empathy. He assumes Job’s suffering would end if he simply repented, not recognizing that trials can also serve to strengthen and purify the righteous.

Section 3: God’s Correction and Blessings (Job 5:17–27)

Read: Job 5:17–27

Job 5:17–27 KJV 1900

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. 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.

Discussion:

• The Value of Discipline (Verses 17-18):

Eliphaz praises God’s discipline, viewing it as evidence of God’s care and love. This is true to an extent, as God’s correction can indeed be a blessing. However, Eliphaz’s application is wrong, as Job’s suffering is not disciplinary.

Verse 17 (KJV): “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.”

Eliphaz’s counsel is well-intentioned but lacks understanding. He assumes that Job’s suffering must be correction, overlooking Job’s righteousness.

• Promises of Deliverance and Restoration (Verses 19-26):

Eliphaz lists the benefits of submission to God, claiming that God will ultimately restore Job’s health, security, and prosperity. He argues that God will “deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee” (verse 19), emphasizing God’s protection.

Verse 24 (KJV): “And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin.”

These promises are meant to comfort Job, but they are based on a misunderstanding of Job’s situation. Job’s suffering is not a punishment but a test of faith, and Eliphaz’s words are empty without this insight.

• Misguided Confidence (Verse 27):

Eliphaz concludes with confidence, asserting that his counsel is reliable and true. He believes his wisdom is sufficient, revealing his pride and inability to truly empathize with Job.

Verse 27 (KJV): “Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.”

This verse reflects a closed-minded approach to suffering. Eliphaz’s assurance in his words prevents him from truly listening to Job’s heart and seeking God’s perspective.

Application:

1. The Dangers of Misapplied Wisdom:

Eliphaz’s counsel reflects a common but incomplete understanding of suffering. This chapter challenges us to avoid jumping to conclusions when comforting others and to seek a deeper understanding of God’s purposes.

2. God’s Discipline and Love:

While Eliphaz misapplies the idea of divine discipline, his words remind us that God’s correction is sometimes an expression of love. However, not all suffering is corrective; some trials are meant to build faith and refine character.

3. Empathy in Times of Suffering:

Eliphaz’s lack of empathy serves as a warning for us. True comfort requires listening, humility, and sensitivity to the complex realities of suffering. Before offering advice, we should first seek to understand the other person’s perspective.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does Eliphaz’s understanding of God’s discipline reveal his limitations in offering true comfort to Job?

2. What can we learn from Eliphaz’s good intentions but flawed assumptions in this chapter?

3. How does the concept of suffering as discipline apply to our lives, and what other reasons might God have for allowing trials?

Conclusion:

In Job 5, Eliphaz continues to offer well-meaning but misguided counsel. His words reveal the limitations of human wisdom when it lacks compassion and humility. While he speaks truth about God’s sovereignty and justice, he misses the heart of Job’s suffering, failing to see that Job’s trial is a divine test rather than a punishment.

Preview of Next Session:

Next week, we will explore Job Chapter 6, where Job responds to Eliphaz’s speech. This begins a profound dialogue as Job defends his integrity and expresses the depth of his anguish.

This study on Job 5 challenges us to think critically about how we offer comfort to others, encouraging us to approach suffering with empathy and humility rather than judgment.