This week we are going to be looking at the next section of Job and what his friend Eliphaz had to say to him.
I've always thought that Job's friends were cruel, thoughtless, and insensitive when they talked to him. After looking at what Eliphaz had to say, it was interesting to draw conclusions after having finally read through his monologue on my own.
Let's take a look at what he said...
What thought/emotion/feeling is Eliphaz speaking from?
Like I previously mentioned I always believed Eliphaz and the others to be less than friendly in their communication but now, I believe that in the first few verses, Eliphaz was uplifting, encouraging, and commanding. His heart is passionate to speak truth into Job's heart.
Is not your fear of God[a] your confidence,
and the integrity of your ways your hope?
Job 4:6
Why does Eliphaz's tone change?
He began allowing fear to control his words. You can almost FEEL the shift in emotion during the verses of 12-16...
dread came upon me, and trembling,
which made all my bones shake.
Job 4:14
Who is it that arrives in verses 15-21?
Perhaps this is the enemy showing up, in hopes of discouraging Job's friends and potentially changing their uplifting message to discourage Job even further?
What explanation does Eliphaz give for Job's struggles?
He explains, after the tone changing to fear, that he believes that God is disciplining Job.
It was interesting to read through this section and try to grasp hold of that and whether or not God really was disciplining Job. My question now is, what is the difference between God's discipline and his allowing struggle to test our faith? Isn't that really what he was doing to Job?
How does Eliphaz end his monologue? What emotion/feeling does he have behind it?
It's interesting, but I believe that Eliphaz ends his conversation on a lighter, more encouraging note again.
“Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves;
therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.
He will deliver you from six troubles;
in seven no evil shall touch you.
20 In famine he will redeem you from death,
and in war from the power of the sword.
21 You shall be hidden from the lash of the tongue,
and shall not fear destruction when it comes.
Behold, this we have searched out; it is true.
Hear, and know it for your good.”
Job 5:17, 19-21, 27
What were your thoughts on these chapters of Job? Did you already know that Eliphaz wasn't out to get Job and condemn him? Join the Facebook group and let us know!!!
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