SCRIPTURE: JOB 4
ELIPHAZ (vs. 1-21)
Eliphaz started to talk. He told Job that innocent people will not be punished and the upright will never be destroyed. Only those who plow evil and sow trouble will reap the consequence because the Lord’s angry will destroy them. He said that God is the Maker and no men can ever be more righteous and pure than God. Men live in houses of clay and its foundations are in the dust. They are crushed more readily than a moth. They will perish forever and die without wisdom.
THOUGHTS:
Eliphaz asked Job why he did not practice what he preached. He told Job that sinners only reap what they sow suggesting the it was Job’s fault that he was now poor and sick. He shared his experience with God based on his interpretation of life. His thinking seemed logical but it was not spiritual. Human beings are too ignorant to understand fully the ways of God. Suffering is not always caused by sin and through our faith in Christ, we can turn suffering into glory. It is dangerous for believers to explain the ways of God to other believers if they do not understand God’s words and God’s ways. Remember not to make false assumptions about others based on your own experiences.
Eliphaz was right about God’s greatness but he did not understand God’s greater purpose concerning suffering.
TWO KINDS OF FALSE THEOLOGY:
- All suffering is the result of sin.
- Those who are prosperous and blessed are good people.
ELIPHAZ’S VIEW ON SUFFERING:
- A good and innocent person never suffers.
- Those who suffer are divine punishment and chastening from God for their sins.
- God is the initiation of suffering.
- Prosperity will return once sin is confessed.