So much of what we hear seems like good advice. It has a basis in truth. Yet there just seems to be something wrong with it. This is what we start seeing when Job's friends start speaking. Job himself doesn't know what is going on in his life. He has not seen the conversation between God and Satan. Yet he understands himself. He has considered his way of life. He has considered his heart.
Eliphaz makes some very good conclusions. Job is clearly distressed. As Eliphaz has looked around the world, knowing the kindness of God, he comes to the conclusion that Job must be receiving the penalties for some sin. After all, God rewards those who are upright in heart and he brings sinners to harm. Therefore Job is obviously involved in some sort of sin. Eliphaz is kind to Job and acknowledges in verse 17 that everyone is a sinner in one way or another.
What Eliphaz says is a generally true thing. He confesses that we are all sinners. He confesses that God does not leave sin unpunished. But does he give Job any hope? There is no hope at all in this passage. In effect, he tells Job that he has generally done as well as anyone can, but needs to do better. This is a message that condemns us all.
How quick we are to advise people on the way they are running their lives before we know what they are going through! May we rather point them to the love and riches of God in Christ. There is our hope. There is what we need. There is the way we are pure before our Maker. We stand not in our own integrity and righteousness but in the integrity and righteousness of our Lord and Savior.
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