Eliphaz's Third Speech. Job 22

 

Job 22 – Eliphaz’s Third Speech

 

Here in Job, we see an intellectual battle and a spiritual battle. You and I are fighting a spiritual battle.

Eliphaz asks, “Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?” He is asking, Job, you sure think a lot of yourself, but what do you suppose God thinks of you?

Some people think they make a real contribution to God and that He is fortunate to have them on His team. They think that when they get to heaven, it will be improved because of who they are.

We need to recognize that man is not profitable to God. Jesus said In Luke 17:10 “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded of you, say, we are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” We need to recognize our dependance upon God – our great need of Him. We are to be looking to Him instead of trying to impress Him with who we are and what we are doing.

Eliphaz has already accused Job as acting as if God might gain some benefit from his good behavior. He also accuses Job of sending widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken. He goes on to warn Job that God is on high and takes note of all these things. This is the explanation for his illness and all the tragedy that has happened to him – according to Eliphaz.

Eliphaz asked Job to accept Christ when he has already accepted Christ. These so-called friends are treating him as if he is not even related to God at all. Eliphaz assumes that God is Job’s enemy, but that is not true.

God is not at enmity with this world. God is reconciled to this world. Christ did this for us. His arms are stretched out saying, “You can come to Me, but you must come My way. You must come by the One who said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father, but by Me.”

Eliphaz is not representing God accurately, neither is he any comfort to Job

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.