1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
2 Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?
3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?
4 Will he reprove thee for fear of thee? will he enter with thee into judgment?
5 Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?
6 For thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought, and stripped the naked of their clothing.
7 Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.
8 But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honourable man dwelt in it.
9 Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.
10 Therefore snares are round about thee, and sudden fear troubleth thee;
11 Or darkness, that thou canst not see; and abundance of waters cover thee.
12 Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are!
13 And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud?
14 Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven.
15 Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden?
16 Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood:
17 Which said unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them?
18 Yet he filled their houses with good things: but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
19 The righteous see it, and are glad: and the innocent laugh them to scorn.
20 Whereas our substance is not cut down, but the remnant of them the fire consumeth.
21 Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.
22 Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.
23 If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.
24 Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks.
25 Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver.
26 For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God.
27 Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows.
28 Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.
29 When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.
30 He shall deliver the island of the innocent: and it is delivered by the pureness of thine hands.
Chapter 22 of the Book of Job in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a continuation of the dialogue between Job and his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. In this chapter, Eliphaz, the oldest and wisest of the three friends, speaks to Job once again. He accuses Job of committing sins and urges him to repent and seek forgiveness from God. Eliphaz also argues that God's justice is perfect and that Job's suffering is a result of his own wrongdoing.
The main themes of this chapter include the concept of divine justice, the consequences of sin, and the importance of repentance. It also explores the relationship between God and humans and the role of suffering in the spiritual journey of individuals. Through Eliphaz's words, the chapter presents a complex and thought-provoking perspective on the nature of God and the human experience.
Eliphaz begins his speech by questioning Job's righteousness and accusing him of committing sins. He says, "Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? Or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?" (Job 22:2-3, KJV). Eliphaz implies that Job's righteousness and good deeds have no value to God and that he has not gained anything by being a faithful servant.
Eliphaz then lists the sins that he believes Job has committed, including taking advantage of the poor, refusing to help the needy, and not showing compassion to the widow and the fatherless. He also accuses Job of being arrogant and self-centered, saying, "Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken. Therefore snares are round about thee, and sudden fear troubleth thee" (Job 22:9-10, KJV). Eliphaz's words are meant to show Job that his suffering is a result of his own wrongdoing and that he should repent and seek forgiveness from God.
Eliphaz's speech also reflects the concept of divine justice, which is a prevalent theme throughout the Book of Job. He argues that God's justice is perfect and that He punishes the wicked and rewards the righteous. Eliphaz says, "Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite? For thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought, and stripped the naked of their clothing" (Job 22:5-6, KJV). He believes that Job's suffering is a direct result of his sins and that God is just in punishing him.
Eliphaz's words also reflect the belief in the retribution principle, which is the idea that good deeds will be rewarded and evil deeds will be punished. This concept is deeply ingrained in many religious traditions and serves as a moral compass for believers. Eliphaz's argument is that Job's current suffering is a punishment for his past sins and that he should repent and change his ways to receive God's mercy and blessings.
One of the main messages of Eliphaz's speech is the importance of repentance. He urges Job to confess his sins and seek forgiveness from God, saying, "Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee" (Job 22:21, KJV). Eliphaz believes that if Job repents, God will forgive him and restore his blessings.
In the Judeo-Christian tradition, repentance is seen as a necessary step towards redemption and forgiveness. It involves acknowledging one's sins, feeling remorse for them, and making a sincere effort to change one's ways. Eliphaz's words reflect this belief and emphasize the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and seeking forgiveness from God.
Eliphaz's speech also explores the relationship between God and humans. He argues that God is far above humans and that He does not need anything from them. Eliphaz says, "Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are! And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud?" (Job 22:12-13, KJV). He implies that humans cannot fully understand God's ways and that they should not question His justice.
This perspective highlights the idea of divine transcendence, which is the belief that God is beyond human understanding and is infinitely greater than humans. It also emphasizes the importance of humility and submission to God's will. Eliphaz's words reflect the belief that humans should trust in God's wisdom and accept His judgments, even if they do not fully understand them.
Eliphaz's speech also touches upon the role of suffering in the spiritual journey of individuals. He argues that suffering is a necessary part of life and that it can serve as a means to purify and strengthen one's faith. Eliphaz says, "If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles. Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks. Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver" (Job 22:23-25, KJV). He believes that if Job repents and turns back to God, he will be rewarded with abundance and protection.
This perspective on suffering is also present in other religious traditions, such as Buddhism and Hinduism, where it is seen as a means to enlightenment and spiritual growth. Eliphaz's words suggest that suffering can serve as a test of faith and a means to draw closer to God. It also highlights the belief that God is ultimately in control of human lives and that everything happens according to His will.
Chapter 22 of the Book of Job presents a complex and thought-provoking perspective on the nature of God and the human experience. Through Eliphaz's words, the chapter explores themes such as divine justice, the consequences of sin, and the importance of repentance. It also touches upon the relationship between God and humans and the role of suffering in the spiritual journey of individuals.
The chapter presents a worldview that is deeply rooted in the belief in a just and all-knowing God who rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked. Eliphaz's words reflect the idea that humans are accountable for their actions and that their suffering is a result of their own sins. This perspective also highlights the importance of repentance and seeking forgiveness from God as a means to restore one's blessings and receive His mercy.
At the same time, the chapter also raises questions about the nature of God and the concept of divine justice. Eliphaz's words imply that God's justice is perfect and that He is far above humans. However, this perspective can also be seen as limiting and potentially harmful, especially when applied to real-life situations. It raises the question of whether suffering is always a result of one's sins or if there are other factors at play.
The chapter also highlights the importance of humility and trust in God's wisdom. Eliphaz's words reflect the belief that humans should not question God's ways and that they should submit to His will. This perspective can be seen as a reminder to have faith and trust in God, even when things do not make sense or seem unfair.
Overall, Chapter 22 of the Book of Job presents a complex and multifaceted perspective on the nature of God and the human experience. It invites readers to reflect on their own beliefs about divine justice, repentance, and the role of suffering in their spiritual journey. It also serves as a reminder to trust in God's wisdom and to seek forgiveness and redemption through repentance.
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