4:9 By the {f} blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.(f) He shows that God needs no great preparation to destroy his enemies: for he can do it with the blast of his mouth. read more
ELIPHAZ: COMMENDATION TWISTED INTO REBUKE (vv.1-6) The three friends of Job could only think of God's justice in reference to Job's sufferings, and had no idea of God's love. Eliphaz no doubt thought he would help Job by his remarkable knowledge and ability in speaking, but his diagnosis of Job's ailment was totally wrong. He begins gently and kindly, "If one attempts a word with you, will you become weary? But who can withhold himself from speaking? (v.12). Then he rightly reminds Job that... read more
FIRST SERIES OF THE DEBATE The first series of the debate may be outlined as follows: 1. With Eliphaz (chaps. 4-7) a. Speech of Eliphaz (chaps. 4-5) b. Reply of (chaps. 6-7) 2. With Bildad (chaps. 8-10) a. Speech of Bildad (chap. 8) b. Reply of Job (chaps. 9-10) 3. With Zophar (chaps. 11-14) a. Speech of Zophar (chap. 11) b. Reply of Job (chaps. 12-14) It is thought the debate may have occupied several days, by which supposition some of the difficulties of the book are removed. In the... read more
The Argument of Eliphaz. I. Job 4:0 We must remember that the three comforters who came to Job in the hour of his great grief probably never heard such a speech as that which Job poured forth when after seven days and seven nights he opened his mouth, and cursed his day. Who could reply to such a speech? It may be that Eliphaz was the oldest and the chief of the comforters who came to the suffering patriarch, and therefore he began the conversation. The best comment upon his speech, as indeed... read more
(7) ¶ Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? (8) Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. (9) By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed. (10) The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken. (11) The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad. This reasoning of... read more
7-11 Eliphaz argues, 1. That good men were never thus ruined. But there is one event both to the righteous and to the wicked, Ecclesiastes 9:2, both in life and death; the great and certain difference is after death. Our worst mistakes are occasioned by drawing wrong views from undeniable truths. 2. That wicked men were often thus ruined: for the proof of this, Eliphaz vouches his own observation. We may see the same every day. read more
Job having thus given way to his impatience, his friends thought it their duty to correct him. But instead of showing him in what respect his position was wrong, they proceed according to the assumption that Job must be guilty of some special fault or sin, and chide him accordingly. v. 1. Then Eliphaz, the Temanite, answered and said, v. 2. If we essay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? Eliphaz wanted to be sure from the outset that Job would not misunderstand his friends if they... read more
FIRST SERIES OF CONTROVERSIAL DISCOURSESTHE ENTANGLEMENT IN ITS BEGINNINGJob 4-14I. Eliphaz and Job: Chap. 4–7A.—The Accusation of Eliphaz: Man must not speak against God like JobJob 4-51. Introductory reproof of Job on account of his unmanly complaint, by which he could only incur God’s wrath:Job 4:2-111 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:2 If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved?but who can withhold himself from speaking?3 Behold, thou hast instructed... read more
“Shall Mortal Man Be More Just than God?” Job 4:1-21 The first cycle of speeches is opened by Eliphaz. It must be remembered that he and the two others believed that special suffering resulted from and was the sign of special sin. Job’s calamities, in the light of that thought, seemed to prove that he who had been considered a paragon of perfection was not what they had supposed. According to their philosophy, if only he would confess his sin, all would be well and the sun would shine again... read more
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Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Job 4:1-21
CHAPTERS 4-5 The First Address of Eliphaz 1. He rebukes Job (Job 4:1-5 ) 2. The righteous are not cast off (Job 4:6-11 ) 3. An awe-inspiring vision (Job 4:12-21 ) 4. Experience and exhortation (Job 5:1-16 ) 5. Happy is the man whom God correcteth (Job 5:17-27 ) With this chapter the long and tedious controversy between Job and his three visitors begins. His pitiful lamentation brings forth the addresses of his friends. Eliphaz and Bildad speak thrice, each answered by Job, and Zophar... read more