He Will Deliver You from Six Troubles1
Eliphaz, the Temanite, brought wrong and cruel accusations against Job. Nevertheless, he did touch on some important things. We will read two passages of his first speech. In the first, he shows that weak and guilty people must not question the wisdom and justice of God’s actions.
Job 4:12-21
12 “Now a word was brought to me stealthily;
my ear received the whisper of it,
13 Amid thoughts from visions of the night,
when deep sleep falls on men,
14 dread came upon me, and trembling,
which made all my bones shake.
15 A spirit glided past my face;
the hair of my flesh stood up.
16 It stood still,
but I could not discern its appearance.
A form was before my eyes;
there was silence, then I heard a voice:
17 ‘Can mortal man be in the right before God?
Can a man be pure before his Maker?
18 Even in his servants he puts no trust,
and his angels he charges with error;
19 how much more those who dwell in houses of clay,
whose foundation is in the dust,
who are crushed like the moth.
20 Between morning and evening they are beaten to pieces;
they perish forever without anyone regarding it.
21 Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them,
do they not die, and that without wisdom?’”
Compared to God what are humans or even angels? The wisdom of angels is limited and where their wisdom ends foolishness begins. Theirs is not sinful folly, but when compared to the All-Wise God, even angels know very little. How then can we think highly of weak human beings who we know will soon die and turn to dust, and be forgotten? How then can a mere insect like ourselves, who is not only foolish, but also sinful, dare to question what the Eternal God does?
Job 5:17-27
In our second selection Eliphaz teaches us not to become discouraged when we receive divine chastisements,2 because they are intended for our highest good.
17 “Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves;
therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.”
Do not have a strong dislike for God’s discipline. Do not rebel against it or think God is acting out of anger. And do not disregard it as if it were not important.
18 “For he wounds, but he binds up;
he shatters, but his hands heal.”
The same Lord is in both our afflictions and our relief. He arranges that the one will surely be followed by the other.
19 “He will deliver you from six troubles;
in seven no evil shall touch you.”
Trouble may roar at us like a lion, but it cannot devour us. It may irritate us, but it will not do us real harm. If we suffer a large number of trials we will have an even larger supply of grace.
20 “In famine he will redeem you from death,
and in war from the power of the sword.
21 You shall be hidden from the lash of the tongue (a mercy indeed),
and shall not fear destruction when it comes.
22 At destruction and famine you shall laugh,
and shall not fear the beasts of the earth.
23 For you shall be in league with the stones of the field,
and the beast of the field shall be at peace with you.”
The Great Master’s dogs will not bite his friends.
24 “You shall know that your tent is at peace,
and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing.
25 You shall know also that your offspring shall be many,
and your descendants as the grass of the earth.”
The Lord is our Friend and he will also be gracious to our children.
26 “You shall come to your grave in ripe old age,
like a sheaf gathered up in its season.
27 Behold, this we have searched out; it is true.
Hear, and know it for your good.”
Not only have we been told this, we have seen that it is true. “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good.”3
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1 Job 5:19
2 chasten, chastening or chastisement - The act of discipline which may include scolding, criticizing or pain inflicted for the purpose of correction or moral improvement.
3 Romans 8:28
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