Tuesday - February 20, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Job 5: 8
But if I were you, I would appeal to God;
I would lay my cause before the divine.
God performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
miracles that cannot be counted.
WORDS OF HOPE
We often hear the phrase that someone has “the patience of Job.” What does that mean?
Job was said to be a good and prosperous man. He believed fervently in and was faithful to God. And then one day, Job’s faith was put to the test. In a short time, all that he held dear was taken away from him—his wealth, his children, and his physical health. In the midst of all of this he also lost the love and support of his wife. Though Job did despair, he never lost his faith.
The above passage from Chapter 5 of the Book of Job is a sermon of sorts spoken by Job’s friend Eliphaz. Eliphaz is supposedly trying to comfort Job as he faces his darkest moments. In doing so, however, Eliphaz makes some incorrect assumptions and speaks partial truths that end up hurting rather than helping.
This passage opens with Eliphaz saying, “But if I were you, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.” On the surface, these words may sound supportive and encouraging, but the assumption made by Eliphaz when he says, “if I were you” is that Job is overcome by a sinful nature and that is why all of the terrible things came upon him. And, that Job cannot rise above his despair because he has lost his faith and refused to turn to God. Eliphaz is incorrect in his assumptions. Job’s friend continues by presenting a litany of all the good things that God can do, all of which are accurate.
Eliphaz then tells Job not to “despise the discipline of the Almighty,” implying again that what Job is experiencing in life is because of his sins and lack of faith. If Job would only succumb to this discipline, all would be well; he’d be a blessed man. Here too, Eliphaz missed the mark, by urging Job to accept his “punishment” and do the work to repent so that he may be seen favorably in God’s eyes.
In verse twenty-five, Eliphaz hits hard when he says that if Job repents, his children will be many, the implication being that Job is responsible for the death of his children. What kind of person says that to a friend?
Then, Eliphaz concludes his preaching to Job by saying. “We have examined this, and it is true. So hear it and apply it to yourself.” Who are the “we” of which he speaks? Himself and two other friends who apparently see themselves as the experts on all things God. This was another thing about which Eliphaz was way wrong.
The truth about Job is that his faith in God never wavered. He clung to his faith believing that God would see him through the darkness. He is well-deserving of the reference “the patience of Job.”
It is apparent that Eliphaz believed in a God of retribution and Job in a God of mercy. Eliphaz used the words and ways of God to spread hurt and condemnation rather than love. In the end (Job 42:7), God says to Eliphaz, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.”
How many of us have encountered an Eliphaz at some point, someone who thinks that as friend they can share “the word of God” with us to help us live a better life? They tell us that we are filled with sin because of our lifestyle, our gender, our race, our disability, our job…and the list goes on. If we would just change, God would show us favor and our lives would be so much happier and fullfilled. Such people are not sharing the love of God; they are being judgmental and hurtful, The exact opposite of what God asks of their followers.
The moral of the story here is don’t be an Eliphaz!
PRAYER
Loving God, as I make my way through this life, help me to have the heart, hope, and patience of Job. Amen
DEVOTION AUTHOR
Kris Baker
Order of Saint Francis and St. Clare
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