Job 5:1-7 – Don’t be insufferable

“Can mankind be just before God?” “Can a man be pure before his Maker?” These were the two rhetorical questions Eliphaz asked in Job 4:17. In them he was making the point that both angels and men were not perfect before God. That being the case, Job had no one that he could seek to mediate his plight with God. Sanctimoniously, he was hinting to Job that it was pointless for him to be angry and impatient. His angry outburst and complain seen in chapter 3 only put in question his relationship with the Lord. The emotional outburst was a clear display of a fool and a simpleton. It revealed that he was not in harmony with God. And that would only bring on further calamity till he perish.  

In verse 3 Eliphaz then cited a case that he knew. Though a man that he knew was foolish, yet he was prospering. And then the judgment of God fell on him suddenly. On seeing the fall of that man, Eliphaz self-righteously concluded that he saw something more significant in what happened to him. So he condemned that man and cursed his dwelling place as well. His conclusion was that a fool who hardened himself against God would only suffer desolation. His children would not be secure. They would instead be subjected to oppression with no one to deliver them. His property would be left defenseless and be invaded, and everything he had would fall into the hand of marauders.           

In a terse and condescending way, Eliphaz brought an observation about life. He said, “… affliction does not come from the dust, nor does trouble sprout from the ground, for man is born for trouble, as sparks fly upward.” He was pointing to Job and saying that his affliction was not accidental. Like all men, he must have invited them into his life through the choices he had made. In saying that “But man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward”, he was saying that man has an inclination toward sin, and calamity is the inevitable consequence. Eliphaz ‘s implication is this: just as easily as sparks shoot up from fire so also would evil desires flow from men’s hearts. His implication is this: that the cause of Job’s calamity was because of his hidden sins. Of course, Eliphaz had no idea that Job’s calamity was the result of a wager between God and Satan. He did not know that God attested to the fact that he was a righteous, God-fearing man. Job’s calamity was not because of sins that he had committed. His suffering and misfortune were not the result of any wrongdoings.

What lesson can we learn from Eliphaz’s pithy insinuation? Do not be presumptuous. We must not pretend to have an answer for everything. We are not in a person’s shoes and can never fully comprehend what is going on. Let’s be reminded to take heed to our Lord’s wise admonition that we should not judge, so that we will not be judged. For with what measure we mete out to others it will be meted out to us. So, stay helpful but do not be condescending. Give comfort by all means but avoid making accusations!