Job 22
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1Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered, 2“Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself. 3Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that you are righteous? Or does it benefit him, that you make your ways perfect? 4Is it for your piety that he reproves you, that he enters with you into judgment? 5Isn’t your wickedness great? Neither is there any end to your iniquities. 6For you have taken pledges from your brother for nothing, and stripped the naked of their clothing. 7You haven’t given water to the weary to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry. 8But as for the mighty man, he had the earth. The honorable man, he lived in it. 9You have sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken. 10Therefore snares are around you. Sudden fear troubles you, 11or darkness, so that you can not see, and floods of waters cover you. 12“Isn’t God in the heights of heaven? See the height of the stars, how high they are! 13You say, ‘What does God know? Can he judge through the thick darkness? 14Thick clouds are a covering to him, so that he doesn’t see. He walks on the vault of the sky.’ 15Will you keep the old way, which wicked men have trodden, 16who were snatched away before their time, whose foundation was poured out as a stream, 17who said to God, ‘Depart from us;’ and, ‘What can the Almighty do for us?’ 18Yet he filled their houses with good things, but the counsel of the wicked is far from me. 19The righteous see it, and are glad. The innocent ridicule them, 20saying, ‘Surely those who rose up against us are cut off. The fire has consumed their remnant.’ 21“Acquaint yourself with him, now, and be at peace. Thereby good shall come to you. 22Please receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart. 23If you return to the Almighty, you shall be built up, if you put away unrighteousness far from your tents. 24Lay your treasure in the dust, the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks. 25The Almighty will be your treasure, and precious silver to you. 26For then you will delight yourself in the Almighty, and shall lift up your face to God. 27You shall make your prayer to him, and he will hear you. You shall pay your vows. 28You shall also decree a thing, and it shall be established to you. Light shall shine on your ways. 29When they cast down, you shall say, ‘be lifted up.’ He will save the humble person. 30He will even deliver him who is not innocent. Yes, he shall be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.”
World English Bible (public domain)
“"Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you."”
Job 22:21
Summary
In Job chapter 22, Eliphaz the Temanite launches into his third and final discourse, addressing Job with increasing severity. Eliphaz accuses Job of several specific sins, suggesting that Job's suffering must be the consequence of his alleged wickedness. He lists possible transgressions like withholding water from the thirsty and bread from the hungry, implying that Job's social injustices and lack of charity brought about his ruin. Eliphaz firmly believes in the retributive justice system, where suffering is a direct result of sin, and he urges Job to repent and return to God, promising that prosperity and peace will follow such repentance. This chapter explores themes of human suffering, repentance, divine justice, and the relationship between sin and adversity. Eliphaz's rigid perspective reflects the broader theological debate about the nature of suffering and righteousness within the book of Job.
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Chapter outline
How Job 22 unfolds
Job 22:1–11 Eliphaz Accuses Job of Sin
Eliphaz responds to Job, accusing him of significant sins that have led to his suffering, including social injustices such as withholding help from the needy.
Job 22:12–20 God's Omniscience and Judgment
Eliphaz emphasizes God's omniscience and the folly of thinking God does not see human actions, warning of the fate of the wicked.
Job 22:21–30 Call to Repentance and Assurance
Eliphaz urges Job to reconcile with God, promising restoration and blessings if he repents and turns from his ways.
Key verses
Job 22:21Job 22:21 captures the essence of the chapter, highlighting the need for reconciliation with God amidst suffering.
Main themes in Job 22
Suffering and Sin
Eliphaz's discourse is built on the belief that suffering results from sin, evident in verses 5-9. He directly links Job's misfortunes to perceived wickedness, creating a strong cause-and-effect argument. This theme complicates the narrative, as it raises questions about the nature of suffering and divine justice in light of Job's innocence.
Divine Justice
In Job 22, Eliphaz articulates his views on divine justice, particularly in verses 10-11, where he claims that Job's suffering is a direct result of sin. He argues that the moral order established by God dictates that wrongdoing inevitably leads to punishment, thus reinforcing his belief in a simplistic cause-and-effect relationship between sin and suffering. This theme serves to illustrate the tension within the chapter, as it raises questions about the nature of justice and the challenges of reconciling suffering with moral order.
Repentance
Eliphaz calls for Job to repent and return to God in verses 21-23, asserting that repentance will lead to restoration. The chapter emphasizes the potential for renewed relationship with God through repentance, framing it as the path to peace and blessings. This call to repentance serves as a pivotal moment in the broader discourse on suffering and righteousness.
Explore repentance in the Bible →Human Misunderstanding
Eliphaz's perspective in Job 22 reveals a profound human misunderstanding of the divine, especially in verses 12-14, where he presents a limited view of God's omniscience and omnipresence. He assumes that Job's plight can be easily explained through a straightforward moral lens, neglecting the complexities of human suffering and divine purpose. This theme underscores a recurring motif in the Book of Job, emphasizing the inadequacies of human reasoning when faced with the mysteries of divine action and the intricacies of faith.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Job 22
- Psalm 37Both texts emphasize the fate of the wicked versus the righteous, underscoring divine justice.
- Isaiah 48This passage connects through its theme of calling people to repentance and returning to God for restoration.
- Proverbs 16Eliphaz's assertions about the consequences of one's actions echo the moral teachings found in this proverb.
- Psalm 119The chapter's emphasis on instruction and God’s word connects with themes of valuing divine guidance.
- Psalm 90Both passages reflect on human frailty and the need for divine mercy in light of human shortcomings.
- Matthew 21This reference connects through themes of righteousness and the consequences faced by those who reject God's ways.
Study questions
Questions for studying Job 22
- What specific sins does Eliphaz accuse Job of committing?
- How does Eliphaz's view of God influence his argument against Job?
- What does Eliphaz suggest will happen if Job repents?
- How does Eliphaz interpret the relationship between sin and suffering?
- What imagery does Eliphaz use to describe God's judgment?
- In what ways does Job's situation challenge Eliphaz's assertions about justice?
Job 22: frequently asked questions
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