Job 5:17-27 – Edify but don’t vilify

Without denial, Eliphaz’s speech was a master-piece from the perspective of men. Analyzing it will tell us that while what he said seemed right, they lack compassion. His intention was to comfort and sympathize with Job, yet in truth what he said hurt more than soothing him. He insensitively insisted that Job’s suffering was because of his sins. It showed that he did not fully know the cause. There was truly a limitation in his capacity to know the truth. Thus, he could never have known Job’s situation accurately to provide good and needed counsel. So instead of soothing, he aggravated the hurt of Job.

Eliphaz asserted that God would only afflict men to bring about greater blessing on them. He saw the suffering as a means to an end and that affliction guaranteed greater blessing. Therefore, Job should not despise what he was going through nor take the Lord’s affliction on him lightly. In his mistaken zeal to make Job see what’s behind his suffering, he became insensitive to his plight. He went on sermonizing. He insisted that God would deal with a person completely to bring about a greater good upon him through chastisement. He insisted that God would deliver a person from all his afflictions. Be it famine, war, slanders or attacks by beasts God could deliver, only to bring about a greater good upon his life. He insisted that if Job trusted God, then he should be able to laugh at the calamities. And when he did so, Eliphaz insisted that his circumstances would work for and not against him. They would not impede his progress. Instead, he would soon experience prosperity, and progeny would be restored to him. Then he could go to his grave with no regrets and full of vigour. In essence what Eliphaz said is this: serve God and prosper, submit to God and be restored. In some sense, Eliphaz preached a health and wealth Gospel.  

Bear in mind that in seeking to help someone in deep affliction and agony, don’t assume to know everything. Be mindful that we do not really have full knowledge of the cause. Be helpful by all means but don’t be a pain in the neck. Let our presence add strength to the afflicted and not pain. Just stay humble and discerning. Speak few but encouraging words.