Reflections on Job 22

 Job 22(Contemporary English Version)

1. Eliphaz from Teman said:
2. What use are we humans to God, even the wisest of us?
3. If you were completely sinless, that would still mean nothing to God All-Powerful.
4. Is he correcting you for worshiping him?
5. No! It's because of your terrible sins.
6. To guarantee payment of a debt, you have taken clothes from the poor.
7. And you refused bread and water to the hungry and thirsty,
8. although you were rich, respected, and powerful.
9. You have turned away widows and have broken the arms of orphans.
10. That's why you were suddenly trapped by terror,
11. blinded by darkness, and drowned in a flood.
12. God lives in the heavens above the highest stars, where he sees everything.
13. Do you think the deep darkness hides you from God?
14. Do thick clouds cover his eyes, as he walks around heaven's dome high above the earth?
15. Give up those ancient ideas believed by sinners,
16. who were swept away without warning.
17. They rejected God All-Powerful, feeling he was helpless,
18. although he had been kind to their families. The beliefs of these sinners are truly disgusting.
19. When God's people see the godless swept away, they celebrate,
20. saying, "Our enemies are gone, and fire has destroyed their possessions."
21. Surrender to God All-Powerful! You will find peace and prosperity.
22. Listen to his teachings and take them to heart.
23. If you return to God and turn from sin, all will go well for you.
24. So get rid of your finest gold, as though it were sand.
25. Let God All-Powerful be your silver and gold,
26. and you will find happiness by worshiping him.
27. God will answer your prayers, and you will keep the promises you made to him.
28. He will do whatever you ask, and life will be bright.
29. When others are disgraced, God will clear their names in answer to your prayers.
30. Even those who are guilty will be forgiven, because you obey God.

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Eliphaz, the friend who was first to speak, began round number three. In this speech, he attempted to support his argument that suffering equals sin. He began his argument by pointing out that God does not benefit from man's condition, whether he is wise or righteous or blameless. Seemingly Eliphaz was saying that God does not bless or punish us to prompt our behavior, He does so as a result of our behavior. And certainly God had not brought judgment on Job as a result of his piety. Therefore, the only conclusion can be that Job had sinned and this was the reason for his losses and suffering.

Eliphaz seemed to think he had an airtight argument, so why make up things with which to accuse Job? This is hardly blamess behavior on the part of Eliphaz. God, Himself, had pronounced Job blameless in the beginning so we know Job was not guilty of the things of which Eliphaz now accused him. How could he make such false accusations to Job's face while making such an affair of Job's sin. The list of accusations were rather serious acts of injustice: taking a man's cloak as collaterial and not returning it at night for covering; withholding water and food from the needy; and refusing help for widows and orphans. All this while Job prospered.

Job should know, says Eliphaz, that judgment awaited him. Could Eliphaz not see that Job had nothing further to fear since he had nothing further to lose? Nevertheless, Eliphaz reminded Job that God was not ignorant of his misdeeds. His actions were not hidden. Job needed to stop and no longer continue in his ways. Otherwise he would be as those of old - possibly Noah - who were swept away by a flood.

Eliphaz concluded his speech with a call to repentance. Good could still come to Job if he would "Come to terms with God and be at peace." (22:21) If Job would do this he would be renewed and God would prosper him once again. It was all quite simple. Eliphaz had it all neatly packaged. A significant piece that Eliphaz was missing, though, is that our greatest reason and blessing for coming to terms with God and being at peace with Him is the relationship and fellowship we have with God has a result. This blessing is greater than the prosperity.