THE FIRST SPEECH OF ELIPHAZ (JOB 4:5) Eliphaz is the principal and probably the oldest of the three friends: cp. Job 32:6. He is also the most considerate. But the complainings of Job in Job 3 had evidently deepened in him the bad impression which must have been created by Job's sufferings, and bei... [ Continue Reading ]
Note the courtesy of Eliphaz. He loses his temper in later speeches. 2-5. Eliphaz is greatly struck with the reverse in Job's fortunes. He who had been the great comforter of those in distress is now overcome by his own troubles. Observe that Eliphaz quite underrates their severity, and ignores the... [ Continue Reading ]
Cp. Job 29:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS COME] i.e. calamity.... [ Continue Reading ]
RV 'Is not thy fear (of God) thy confidence, _and_ thy hope the integrity of thy ways?' 'Surely Job may reckon on the uprightness of his past life as a pledge of speedy deliverance! He must not despair. The v. is important as proving that the friends recognised Job's fundamental goodness, into whate... [ Continue Reading ]
A SPIRIT] rather, 'a breath.'... [ Continue Reading ]
RM 'Shall mortal man be just before' (i.e. in the eyes of) 'God? Shall a man be pure before his Maker?'... [ Continue Reading ]
HE PUT NO TRUST] because of their imperfections. SERVANTS] attendant angels.... [ Continue Reading ]
HOUSES OF CLAY] perishing bodies: cp. 2 Corinthians 5:1. If spiritual beings like the angels were imperfect, how much more men with material bodies. BEFORE] RM 'like.'... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM MORNING TO EVENING] i.e. in a day.... [ Continue Reading ]
DOTH NOT, etc.] rather, 'Is not their tent-cord (or tent-peg) pulled up in them?' The falling tent is a figure of collapse and death. EVEN WITHOUT WISDOM] i.e. without having learnt the great lessons of life.... [ Continue Reading ]