1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,
2 Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?
3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?
4 Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God.
5 For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.
6 Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee.
7 Art thou the first man that was born? or wast thou made before the hills?
8 Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?
9 What knowest thou, that we know not? what understandest thou, which is not in us?
10 With us are both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father.
11 Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee?
12 Why doth thine heart carry thee away? and what do thy eyes wink at,
13 That thou turnest thy spirit against God, and lettest such words go out of thy mouth?
14 What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
15 Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight.
16 How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?
17 I will shew thee, hear me; and that which I have seen I will declare;
18 Which wise men have told from their fathers, and have not hid it:
19 Unto whom alone the earth was given, and no stranger passed among them.
20 The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor.
21 A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.
22 He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword.
23 He wandereth abroad for bread, saying, Where is it? he knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.
24 Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.
25 For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty.
26 He runneth upon him, even on his neck, upon the thick bosses of his bucklers:
27 Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on his flanks.
28 And he dwelleth in desolate cities, and in houses which no man inhabiteth, which are ready to become heaps.
29 He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof upon the earth.
30 He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his branches, and by the breath of his mouth shall he go away.
31 Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompence.
32 It shall be accomplished before his time, and his branch shall not be green.
33 He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and shall cast off his flower as the olive.
34 For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.
35 They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit.
Chapter 15 of the Book of Job is part of the dialogue between Job and his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. In this chapter, Eliphaz continues to accuse Job of sin and tries to convince him to repent and admit his wrongdoing. He argues that God does not punish the innocent, and therefore, Job must have committed some sin to deserve his suffering.
The main themes of this chapter include the nature of sin, the justice of God, and the role of suffering in the lives of believers. Through Eliphaz's words, we see how people often try to justify their own beliefs and perspectives by using God as a scapegoat. They believe that their understanding of God and His ways is the only correct one, and anyone who disagrees must be in the wrong. However, as we will see, this is not always the case.
Eliphaz begins his speech by accusing Job of using empty words and speaking without knowledge. He believes that Job's suffering is a direct result of his sin and that he must have done something to deserve it. This reflects the common belief at the time that suffering was a punishment from God for sin. However, Eliphaz's understanding of sin is limited and narrow-minded. He believes that only those who commit obvious and visible sins should be punished, and anyone who appears righteous must be free from sin.
Eliphaz also mentions the concept of the "wicked" in his speech, referring to those who are evil and deserving of punishment. He believes that Job must be one of these wicked people, and therefore, his suffering is justified. This reveals a common misconception about sin – that it is only present in those who commit obvious and outwardly visible sins. However, as we learn throughout the Bible, sin is a universal condition that affects all humans, regardless of their outward appearance or actions.
Eliphaz argues that God does not punish the innocent, and therefore, Job must have sinned to deserve his suffering. He believes that God is just and fair, and He would not allow an innocent person to suffer. However, this belief is based on a limited understanding of God's justice. Eliphaz and his friends believe that God's justice is limited to immediate and visible consequences for sin. They do not understand the concept of God's ultimate justice, which may not always be apparent in this life.
Eliphaz also makes the mistake of assuming that he knows God's ways and can speak on His behalf. He claims that God has revealed to him the reasons for Job's suffering and that Job must accept his words as truth. However, this is a dangerous belief, as it leads to self-righteousness and a false sense of authority over others. It is a reminder that we should always approach God with humility and recognize that His ways are higher than our ways.
Throughout the dialogue between Job and his friends, the question of the purpose of suffering arises. Eliphaz believes that suffering is a punishment for sin and that it serves to correct and discipline the sinner. However, this is not always the case. While suffering can be a result of sin, it can also serve other purposes in our lives. It can be a means of testing our faith, refining our character, or drawing us closer to God.
Additionally, Eliphaz's belief that suffering is a punishment for sin also ignores the fact that many innocent people suffer in this world. It is a reminder that we live in a fallen world and that suffering is a natural part of the human experience. However, as believers, we can find comfort and hope in the fact that God is with us in our suffering and that He can use it for our ultimate good and His glory.
Through Eliphaz's speech in chapter 15, we see the danger of limited and narrow-minded beliefs about God and His ways. Eliphaz and his friends believe that they have all the answers and that their understanding of God is the only correct one. However, their words reveal their lack of understanding and their misguided attempts to justify their own beliefs.
Furthermore, this chapter reminds us that suffering is a complex and multifaceted aspect of the human experience. While it can be a result of sin, it can also serve other purposes in our lives. It is a reminder that we should not be quick to judge others or assume that we know the reasons for their suffering. Instead, we should approach suffering with humility and trust in God's ultimate justice and plan for our lives.
In conclusion, chapter 15 of the Book of Job serves as a reminder to approach our beliefs about God and suffering with humility and openness. It challenges us to think beyond our limited understanding and to trust in God's ultimate justice and plan for our lives. It is a powerful reminder that we serve a God who is sovereign and just, and His ways are higher than our ways.
Share this page