The Verses

“Then Eliphaz the Temanite responded,
‘Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge,
And fill himself with the east wind?
Should he argue with useless talk,
Or with words which do not benefit?
Indeed, you do away with reverence,
And hinder meditation before God.
For your wrongdoing teaches your mouth,
And you choose the language of the cunning.
Your own mouth condemns you, and not I;
And your own lips testify against you.

Were you the first person to be born,
Or were you brought forth before the hills?
Do you hear the secret discussion of God,
And limit wisdom to yourself?
What do you know that we do not know?
What do you understand that we do not?
Both the gray-haired and the aged are among us,
Older than your father.
Are the consolations of God too little for you,
Or the word spoken gently to you?
Why does your heart take you away,
And why do your eyes wink,
That you can turn your spirit against God
And produce such words from your mouth?

What is man, that he would be pure,
Or he who is born of a woman, that he would be righteous?
Behold, He has no trust in His holy ones,
And the heavens are not pure in His sight;
How much less one who is detestable and corrupt,
A person who drinks malice like water!

I will tell you, listen to me;
And what I have seen, I will also declare;
What wise people have told,
And have not concealed from their fathers,
To whom alone the land was given,
And no stranger passed among them.
The wicked person writhes in pain all his days,
And the years reserved for the ruthless are numbered.
Sounds of terror are in his ears;
While he is at peace, the destroyer comes upon him.
He does not believe that he will return from darkness,
And he is destined for the sword.
He wanders about for food, saying, “Where is it?”
He knows that a day of darkness is at hand.
Distress and anguish terrify him,
They overpower him like a king ready for the attack,
Because he has reached out with his hand against God,
And is arrogant toward the Almighty.
He rushes defiantly against Him
With his massive shield.

For he has covered his face with his fat,
And put fat on his waist.
He has lived in desolate cities,
In houses no one would inhabit,
Which are destined to become ruins.
He will not become rich, nor will his wealth endure;
And his property will not stretch out on the earth.
He will not escape from darkness;
The flame will dry up his shoot,
And he will go away by the breath of His mouth.
Let him not trust in emptiness, deceiving himself;
For emptiness will be his reward.
It will be accomplished before his time,
And his palm branch will not be green.
He will drop off his unripe grape like the vine,
And will cast off his flower like the olive tree.
For the company of the godless is barren,
And fire consumes the tents of the corrupt.
They conceive harm and give birth to wrongdoing,
And their mind prepares deception.’”

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Context and Meaning

Eliphaz’s second speech continues to criticize Job, becoming even harsher in tone and more accusatory. He condemns Job’s words as irreverent, accuses him of arrogance, and reiterates his belief that suffering is a result of sin.

Key Themes:

1. Condemnation of Job’s Words: Eliphaz accuses Job of speaking irreverently and suggests that Job’s own words condemn him (v. 1-6).
2. Arrogance and Presumption: Eliphaz criticizes Job for acting as though he has special access to God’s wisdom, implying that Job is prideful and dismissive of God’s consolations (v. 7-16).
3. The Fate of the Wicked: Eliphaz describes the suffering and eventual destruction of the wicked, implying that Job’s suffering must be a result of his guilt (v. 17-35).

While Eliphaz makes some true statements about God’s justice and the consequences of wickedness, his application to Job’s situation is deeply flawed. He wrongly assumes that Job’s suffering must be a punishment for sin and fails to consider the complexity of God’s purposes.

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Reflection and Impact

Eliphaz’s speech is an example of how truth can be misapplied, causing harm rather than healing:

• Misjudging Others’ Suffering: Eliphaz’s assumption that Job is guilty reflects the danger of making judgments without understanding the full picture.
• Speaking Without Compassion: Eliphaz’s harsh tone and lack of empathy reveal the harm that words can do when they are spoken without love.
• God’s Justice is Real but Complex: While it’s true that God judges sin, Eliphaz’s simplistic view ignores the broader reality of God’s purposes and the presence of undeserved suffering.

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Application

• Be Slow to Judge: When others are suffering, avoid jumping to conclusions about the reasons behind their pain.
• Speak with Empathy: Offer comfort and support rather than harsh criticism or accusations.
• Trust God’s Wisdom: Remember that God’s justice is often beyond human understanding and unfolds in His perfect timing.

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Closing Thought

Eliphaz’s speech reminds us of the danger of misapplying truth in times of suffering. While God’s justice is certain, His purposes are often far more complex than we realize. Let us strive to approach others’ pain with humility, compassion, and a deep reverence for God’s wisdom.