Job 22

Well we’ve come to the middle-ish part of Job’s story. His suffering has been well documented. His friends have opined and advised ad nauseum. Job has offered his own solemn questions, sorrows, and personal doubts to God Himself. But wait…there’s more. Just a few last words from Eliphaz and then Bildad (chapter 25). Sigh. It shouldn’t be this way. Friendship should strengthen and lift up. Friends should speak truth and vitality into the dead and doubting spaces. Fine. Say your last words, Eliphaz. We’ll endure your accusations for one more chapter. But watch out, friend, as you take a portion of Eliphaz’s word stew; there are bones in this soup that can choke you.

Storytime: When I was a girl, my older brother and my dad would often go fishing in the warm seasons. I was banned from those fishing trips due to my reasonable requirements for a flush toilet in nature and my inability to be quiet. But that’s another story. The fish. They would bring fish home for supper. Whatever they caught and cleaned we would eat. Catfish, crappies, perch, bass. We would sit down to a delicious meal of pan fried fish, and I would sigh. Fish dinners meant at least an hour of dissecting each bite before allowing it into my mouth. See, there were bones. Lots of sharp, surprising bones. I lived in fear of choking on fish bones. Mom always served bread with a fish dinner in case someone got a bone stuck in their throat. I would anxiously line the edge of my plate with each bone I found. Each bite was so tiny I could hardly taste the fish at all! It wasn’t until years later, when I was served a native rainbow trout, cooked with the head and tail still on, that I discovered the delight of eating fish. My husband and his grandparents taught me how to remove the entire spine and bones from a cooked trout all at once. It was magical. I lost my fear of eating fish once I saw the whole skeleton off to one side.

This chapter is filled with bones. We’ll need to dissect it carefully…each morsel of it. Eliphaz shares his last recorded words with Job. First, he asks some tricky questions.

1. Can a man be profitable to God?

2. Can you please God by being blameless or righteous?

3. Does your fear of God bring Him into judgement with you?

4. Isn’t your evil abundant?

Then, Eliphaz offers his accusations. He asserts Job’s sin must be enormous, manifold. He accuses Job of ignoring the widows, the poor, the needy (v. 6-11). He accuses Job of living his BEST life as the most powerful man, the most favored man in the land, while others suffer (v. 8). He accuses Job of viewing God as distant, unaware, winking at evil (v. 12-14). And he accuses Job of walking in the wickedness of the men of old, men who have rebelled against God and pushed Him away, even though God blessed them. (v. 15-20).

Finally, Eliphaz offers his advice. He urges Job to agree with God so that God will bless him and give him peace (v. 21-30). All the hearts and flowers and cotton candy and bubblegum and good feelings will be yours, Job! Nothing bad will happen to you anymore. God will establish your way with success. You’ll be walking on sunshine and roses.

Eliphaz offers a suped-up, shiny, rose colored prosperity Gospel to Job. If Job follows the prescription he will be hugely blessed. This has similar effect as climbing the Scala Sancta on one’s knees. Do _______ to receive _______. Except, all you get is bloody knees and more questions.

Lord, let me remember, thunder it in the depths of my heart! “The righteous shall live by faith” (Roman’s 1:17). When I am tempted to view You, the Almighty, like a magic 8 ball, or a genie in a bottle, adjust my perspective. Shine the light on any self-righteous thinking in my heart, Lord.

“The motive which leads men to crawl upon their knees up these famous stairs is the worldwide principle of self-salvation. DO is the popular gospel of unregenerate human nature. IT IS ALL DONE is the glad tidings of the grace of God.”

C. H. Spurgeon, upon visiting the Scala Sancta in Rome

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Titus 3:4-7

There is one delicious morsel in this bone stew Eliphaz serves. Verses 25 and 26 shine with a deep truth – God is our treasure! When we seek God’s wisdom, we find true treasure (Proverbs 1-3). And knowing Christ is so great a treasure, that everything else is garbage in comparison (Philippians 3:7-11).

“…the Almighty will be your gold and your precious silver. For then you will delight yourself in the Almighty and lift up your face to God.”

Job 22:25-26

Eliphaz, when we get to the end of the book and all the words have been said; when Bildad says the last words of accusation; and, after Elihu speaks up in righteous anger; once Job finishes his appeal to God; when God answers…when God Himself answers! Then, Eliphaz, you will look up and see the great treasure you have been missing all this time. Job will minister to you in prayer, and you will see. Then you will say with all the saints…

“There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord, my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.”

Psalm 86:8-13