Chapter 408 of 1163

JOB 4–5

The three friends sincerely meant to console Job, but they ended up condemning him and taking Satan’s place! Why? Because each of them saw Job’s plight from his own narrow perspective and failed to identify with Job’s perplexity and pain. We all need to obey Romans 12:9–16.

Eliphaz asked Job why he did not practice what he preached (4:1–6), a fine way to start encouraging a hurting friend! He told Job that sinners always reap what they sow (4:7–11), suggesting that it was Job’s fault that he was now poor and sick instead of being rich and healthy. What encouragement!

Then Eliphaz shared his “experience with God” (4:12–21) on which he based his whole interpretation of life. Avoid those who make their experience the only test of truth. The Word of God does not change, but experiences do. We are all different, and God deals with each of us in ways suitable to our needs, our natures and our level of maturity.

Eliphaz closed his speech by telling Job to seek God and submit (5:8), and to accept His correction (5:17); then God would bless him again. But his suggestion played right into Satan’s hands: “Does Job fear God for nothing?” (1:9). Eliphaz had the same theology as the devil and did not know it!

If you want to help others, listen with your heart as well as your ears; try not to make your experience the only test of truth. We all “know in part” (1 Cor. 13:9).

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