Read
Eliphaz's Second Speech
If You Had Any Sense
1Eliphaz from Teman said:
* 2Job, if you had any sense,
3you would stop spreading
all of this hot air.
4Your words are enough
to make others turn from God
and lead them to doubt.
5And your sinful, scheming mind
is the source of all you say.
6I am not here as your judge;
your own words are witnesses
against you.
7Were you the first human?
Are you older than the hills?
8Have you ever been present
when God's council meets?
Do you alone have wisdom?
9Do you know and understand
something we don't?
10We have the benefit of wisdom
older than your father.
11And you have been offered
comforting words from God.
Isn't this enough?
12Your emotions are out of control,
making you look fierce;
13that's why you attack God
with everything you say.
14 No human is pure and innocent,
15and neither are angels—
not in the sight of God.
If God doesn't trust his angels,
16what chance do humans have?
We are so terribly evil
that we thirst for sin.
Just Listen to What I Know
17Just listen to what I know,
and you will learn
18wisdom known by others
since ancient times.
19Those who gained such insights
also gained the land,
and they were not influenced
by foreign teachings.
20But suffering is in store
each day for those who sin.
21Even in times of success,
they constantly hear
the threat of doom.
22Darkness, despair, and death
are their destiny.
23They scrounge around for food,
all the while dreading
the approaching darkness.
24They are overcome with despair,
like frightened soldiers facing
a fearsome king in battle.
25This is because they rebelled
against God All-Powerful
26and have attacked him
with their weapons.
27They may be rich and fat,
28but they will live in the ruins
of deserted towns.
29Their property and wealth
will shrink and disappear.
30They won't escape the darkness,
and the blazing breath of God
will set their future aflame.
* 31They have put their trust
in something worthless;
now they will become worthless
32like a date palm tree
without a leaf.
33Or like vineyards or orchards
whose blossoms and unripe fruit
drop to the ground.
34Yes, the godless and the greedy
will have nothing but flames
feasting on their homes,
35because they are the parents
of trouble and vicious lies.
Reflect
Okay, the gloves are coming off now. The language is rude and crude.
This is the second round in a prize fight. In the first round, Eliphaz managed a compliment or two, a nice waltz around the ring, little jabs of affirmation. But now Eliphaz comes out swinging, wild punches of devastating insult, a complete moral destruction, a merciless character assassination of his friend/enemy, Job.
“You’re an empty windbag” (v 3). Then much much worse, “You’re doing away with the fear of God!” (v4)
Imagine how crushing a blow that was, a real knock-out. Job is being accused of destroying the very foundations of Jewish religion, the underpinning of all theological and moral virtue. Everything is Job’s fault: his own mouth condemns him.
Then Eliphaz changes gears into a devastating mockery. Do you think you’re so special, a conversation partner with God in the beginning, possessor of secret knowledge? Come on, Job, mortal men cannot be clean and righteous in God’s sight; God doesn’t even trust his holy ones: what makes you think you’ve got special favour, you who are “abominable and corrupt, drinking iniquity like water” (v16).
With Job pinned against the ropes and virtually out for the count, Eliphaz moves into his sermon, his theologizing about the wicked, amongst whom Job is prime. “The wicked writhe in pain all their lives…because they stretched out their hand against God…They will not escape from darkness.” And their kids will pay for their parents’ sins too.
This shift into the third person plural – into “they” – is a kind of superior academic ruse, rhetorical trickery. For this theological sermonizing is a fierce attack on Job himself. We’re not talking about “them”, Job, we’re talking about you. It’s all your fault, you proud pathetic arrogant man.
Respond
Father God, we’ve all got so-called friends who delight in attacking us, mocking our faith, calling us names. Please protect us from such devastation; and help us to understand that in Jesus Christ we are made whole and complete and righteous.
Michael Pountney
From the Merchant Navy to Moldova, Michael’s career has had a transatlantic diversity. High School language teacher and youth leader in the UK; IVCF staff at universities in BC and Divisional Director in Ontario; Parish Priest in Montreal and Toronto; Principal of Wycliffe College at the U. of T; IFES staff working with leaders in the former Soviet Republic. Retired in Victoria, Michael continues to help plant Anglican Network churches and mentor young leaders. Publications: Bob Goethe and Michael Pountney: “Mars and Venus Go To Church” (2010: Faith Today); Michael Pountney, “At A Distance: Encouragement For Cautious Christians” (2006: Essence Publishing, Belleville, Ontario); “Searching For Home” (2003: GLIA Moldova); Don Posterski and Michael Pountney; “Reconciliation: Seeking Restored Relationships” 2000: Institute For Christian Leadership Formation, World Vision International, Monrovia, California); Michael Pountney, “Getting A Job” (1984: InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois)