Job 4:5,6

Job’s speech in Job chapter 3 was a very sad speech. And this speech upset Eliphaz. Eliphaz wanted Job to be happy. Christians are glad people, because we have good news (Philippians 4:4). But sometimes we cannot be happy Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Mark 2:18-20). We need God’s help and comfort (James 1:13-15; Matthew 5:4).

Eliphaz was a patient man (Job 2:13). But he spoke too soon. Job needed Eliphaz’s sympathy. And Job needed Eliphaz’s friendship. Instead, Eliphaz told Job to be happy. And Eliphaz’s words seemed cruel to Job (Proverbs 25:20).

But Eliphaz’s advice in verse 6 was sensible. In chapter 3, Job hardly thought about God. Job was only thinking about himself. So, Job had no hope. Instead, Job wanted to die. Job could be confident because he was a holy man. And Job could have hope, because God cares for good people.

Eliphaz’s ideas about the fate of evil men

v7 Think about this! An innocent man does not suffer. A good man does not die. v8 I have seen that evil men suffer. In fact, they suffer from the troubles that they themselves cause. v9 So, God punishes them. God is angry. So, he kills them.

v10 These men are like old lions, without teeth. Such lions may roar. v11 But the lions will die, because they cannot attack other animals. And the young lions will wander away.