Job 22

Verses 1-3

• Eliphaz now chimes in. Previously, Job's friends worked to prove that Job was not righteous. Giving up on that effort, now it seems that Eliphaz seeks to downplay Job's integrity, trying to prove that even if Job was indeed righteous, it wouldn't matter to God because He gains nothing from it.

  • There is some truth in his words. Acts 17:25 says, “Nor is He [God] worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.”

  • The general principle is this: We are only able to give to God what He has first given us (1 Chronicles 29:16); and anything we do for God is possible only because of the ability He has given us (1 Corinthians 15:10). God is self-sufficient. He does not need us for Himself, nor does His person gain anything from our good works. So, where is the lie in Eliphaz's words?

• Eliphaz's logic is that even though Job was righteous and blameless in his ways (Job 1:1), it didn't matter because it didn't stop God from destroying him. God must not enjoy him more than others. This is the lie.

  • Although it's true that Job's righteousness did not prevent his suffering, it was for a reason totally different than the one Eliphaz presumed. Again, we're dealing with misapplied theology.

  • Truly, the Lord has delight in our obedience (1 Samual 15:22), and doing good is well pleasing to Him (2 Corinthians 5:9-10). Although it's true that everything we are is a gift from God, God still takes pleasure when we do what is right. 

• To avoid Eliphaz's mistake, do not use the teaching of God's power and grace to minimize the importance of our righteousness. Doing so can cause people to neglect action (Matthew 25:18-19,24-27). Teach that God is pleased when we do good, and that there are consequences caused by our actions, whether good or evil (Galatians 6:7-8). 

  • And if you suffering even while doing good, it's not because your good works don't matter. They do. Hold to your integrity!

Verses 4-11

• Eliphaz continues in his misunderstanding. His remarks are, essentially, “God isn't correcting and judging you for nothing, Job! You must have some sin—even great wickedness!” (verses 4-5). Eliphaz then lists out all the ways in which he feels Job has sinned, and it's all baseless accusations. 

  • First of all, Job's suffering was not God's correction or judgment. It was a test from the enemy that God allowed (Job 1:6-12). 

  • Do not believe that all suffering is God's correction, or you will be hyper-focused on sin that may not even be there, and your words will only falsely accuse and discourage others. 

Verses 12-18

• Here Eliphaz turns to accuse Job of incorrect theology and of thinking like wicked men of the past, who were destroyed. He believes that Job thinks God has clouded judgment or that He judges inaccurately. Job did not think this. Eliphaz simply misunderstood.

Verses 19-20

• Then Eliphaz seems to imply that Job, if he were truly righteous, should rejoice in God's judgment, and therefore his own suffering, which Eliphaz believes is God's judgment on Job!

Verses 21-30

• What Eliphaz speaks here is beautiful, and generally true. Blessing, contentment, and intimacy with God come when we seek Him diligently and do what it right. The words are inherently pleasant and hopeful. But since he misuses them, they become harmful. The words, although true, did not apply to Job because he was not practicing sin.

  • Say “do what is right and you will be blessed” to someone who is in sin, and it will help them. Say it to someone who is not in sin, and the same words are a painful sting with the venom of accusation and slander. 

  • Do not try to encourage someone who is suffering to repent of some sin that they're not actually guilty of. Your intentions might be right, but the words will still only hurt.

• Outside of the context of Job, use this passage if you want encouragement to seek God. The words are encouraging if you are in need of them.