Journal Through the Bible: Week 4 Thursday

Source

Job chapter 22

For the third time in this book, Eliphaz falsely accuses Job of doing something reprehensible and then hiding it. He even goes so far as to name a few sins in verses 5-11 that he is sure Job must be committing! He then boasts of his own goodness by assuming a "Look at me!" attitude in verses 18-20 which is followed by an invitation to Job to do likewise (verses 21-30). What a preacher Eliphaz is! A false one, to be true, but with himself as a sermon illustration how can he fail?  ;)

Does God make any promises in this passage? If so do they apply to me?

No, really there are not any promises found in this passage even though it might seem as though there are many in verses 21-30. This is an early version of a corrupt "health and wealth" gospel that states that if a person will just trust God he or she will receive good health and riches beyond imagination. That might be true in the New Earth but it certainly doesn't apply on this one! Even Jesus' most faithful followers suffered terribly for their faith!

Are there references to Jesus in this passage?

Verses 12-14 hint of God's omniscience and omnipresence. Jesus, as the eternal Son of God shares these attributes with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Eliphaz obviously believes that God possesses these attributes even if he misuses them here.

Are there references to future events (in the future for us, that is) in this passage?

None that I saw. More likely, verses 15 and 16 reference the Flood, an event that had occurred between 300 and 400 years prior. As Jesus told those listening to Him, when He returns the world will be just like it was in the days of Noah (Matt. 24:37; Luke 17:26)

Does God make any commands in this passage? If so, to whom? And are they commands that I also must obey?

God does not speak in this passage and Eliphaz perverts God's words so once again there are no commands!

Did you find anything else of interest to you? Please share!