06.25.2014 Old Testament: Job 5.8–16

To read the Bible in a year, read Job 4–6 on June 25, In the year of our Lord 2014

By Don Ruhl

Eliphaz spoke some truth in his debate with his friend Job, but sometimes Eliphaz misapplied the truth. In Job chapter five, I found a wonderful section where he declared why we should trust God, although Eliphaz misapplied some of what he said to Job,

“But as for me, I would seek God,
And to God I would commit my cause—
Who does great things, and unsearchable,
Marvelous things without number.
He gives rain on the earth,
And sends waters on the fields.
He sets on high those who are lowly,
And those who mourn are lifted to safety.
He frustrates the devices of the crafty,
So that their hands cannot carry out their plans.
He catches the wise in their own craftiness,
And the counsel of the cunning comes quickly upon them.
They meet with darkness in the daytime,
And grope at noontime as in the night.
But He saves the needy from the sword,
From the mouth of the mighty,
And from their hand.
So the poor have hope,
And injustice shuts her mouth.
(Job 5.8–16) 

Eliphaz misunderstood this, “[God] saves the needy from the sword,” by believing that the righteous never suffer. Also, Eliphaz implied that Job was one of the crafty ones whom God defeats. However, ultimately it is true that the Lord delivers His people, but sometimes they experience suffering first.

Look at the list and tell me that God is not worthy of your trust:

1. He does great things (v. 9)
2. He gives rain on the earth (v. 10)
3. He exalts the humble (v. 11a)
4. He blesses the mourners (v. 11b)
5. He defeats the crafty (vv. 12–14)
6. He saves the needy (vv. 15–16)