In Job 15 is recorded for us, the speech of Eliphaz, which opens the second round of arguments. As a Temanite, he represents the wisdom of Edom, which was highly regarded in those days. He begins with a remonstration of Job and his words as unwise. He suggests that Job is actually condemned by his words. We may presume that it is Eliphaz’s point that he is qualified to make judgments of wisdom and to dispense the best, and therefore the first, argument. As he pursues his challenge of Job’s words, Eliphaz, says, that no one is just, and backs this up with a statement that God does not even trust the angels. This seems a shocking assertion when we think that the angels, who shouted for joy at the laying of the earth’s foundation, also have joy over one sinner who repents. They are Heaven’s Armies of whom God is The Lord. However, “No one is Holy like The LORD! There is no one besides You; there is no Rock like our God.” (I Samuel 2:2) Self existent God Almighty is superior over every created thing, including those whose only function is to serve Him. Next, Eliphaz predicts a bad end for the wicked; presumably this was intended to be instructive to Job. Though once prosperous and comfortable, those who have chosen godless lives have nothing to which to look forward except misery and dread. It appears that Eliphaz’s perception of God’s judgment was that it was always meted out swiftly and evident here on earth. We know that is not necessarily true. For some, this world is the best existence they will ever know. And for those whose hope is vouchsafed in the redemption from sin bought by Jesus Christ, this world is the only place of difficulty we shall experience. A pattern is emerging. Job speaks to his “friends” and speaks to God. His friends only address him and speak about God. As Christians it is our duty to those we know to talk about our Great God. Let us be about the business of making His Words and His Works famous among those whom we encounter. But in order to have the connection that refuels us to live lives of Godly purpose, we need prayer. In his first letter to the young preacher, Timothy, Paul wrote, “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior…In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.” ( I Timothy 2:1-8,sel.) Eliphaz thought he understood wisdom. In our study of Proverbs we read over and over that reverential fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The father of the author of Proverbs wrote, “He has paid a full ransom for His people. He has guaranteed His Covenant with them forever. What a Holy, awe-inspiring Name he has! Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey His Commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise Him forever!” (Psalm 111:9-10) Amen! PRAISE HIM FOREVER! “Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied: ‘A wise man wouldn’t answer with such empty talk! You are nothing but a windbag. The wise don’t engage in empty chatter. What good are such words? Have you no fear of God, no reverence for Him? Your sins are telling your mouth what to say. Your words are based on clever deception. Your own mouth condemns you, not I. Your own lips testify against you. Were you the first person ever born? Were you born before the hills were made? Were you listening at God’s secret council? Do you have a monopoly on wisdom? What do you know that we don’t? What do you understand that we do not? On our side are aged, gray-haired men much older than your father! “Is God’s comfort too little for you? Is His gentle Word not enough? What has taken away your reason? What has weakened your vision, that you turn against God and say all these evil things? Can any mortal be pure? Can anyone born of a woman be just? Look, God does not even trust the angels. Even the heavens are not absolutely pure in His sight. How much less pure is a corrupt and sinful person with a thirst for wickedness! If you will listen, I will show you. I will answer you from my own experience. And it is confirmed by the reports of wise men who have heard the same thing from their fathers—from those to whom the land was given long before any foreigners arrived. “The wicked writhe in pain throughout their lives. Years of trouble are stored up for the ruthless. The sound of terror rings in their ears, and even on good days they fear the attack of the destroyer. They dare not go out into the darkness for fear they will be murdered. They wander around, saying, ‘Where can I find bread?’ They know their day of destruction is near. That dark day terrifies them. They live in distress and anguish, like a king preparing for battle. For they shake their fists at God, defying The Almighty. Holding their strong shields, they defiantly charge against Him. These wicked people are heavy and prosperous; their waists bulge with fat. But their cities will be ruined. They will live in abandoned houses that are ready to tumble down. Their riches will not last, and their wealth will not endure. Their possessions will no longer spread across the horizon. They will not escape the darkness. The burning sun will wither their shoots, and the breath of God will destroy them. Let them no longer fool themselves by trusting in empty riches, for emptiness will be their only reward. Like trees, they will be cut down in the prime of life; their branches will never again be green. They will be like a vine whose grapes are harvested too early, like an olive tree that loses its blossoms before the fruit can form. For the godless are barren. Their homes, enriched through bribery, will burn. They conceive trouble and give birth to evil. Their womb produces deceit.” (Job 15)
Posted on: Thu, 19 Sep 2013 12:09:07 +0000
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