When Good Advice Goes Wrong

1. An affirmation (agitation) (vvs. 1-6)-- Eliphaz begins his discourse with Job by making a positive, affirming statement in an attempt to connect with him. It is because Job’s friends can’t bear to hear him speaking the way he has, just sighing, "let me die ... better for me to die." Eliphaz is the one who speaks first: "Job, I’ve got something to say to you, what’s wrong with you man? You’ve encouraged others throughout your life and now, it’s time to apply a little spiritual insight to yourself." Look at v. 3: “If one attempts a word with you, will you become weary? But who can withhold himself from speaking? Surely, you have instructed many.” Eliphaz states (v. 6) that piety (“reverence” or “fear of God”) is the basis of assurance and that one’s integrity (or blamelessness) is the basis of hope.

Illus: “Reverence controls behavior, behavior does not control reverence.”

2. An axiom (assumption) (vvs., 7-11) “Who ever perished being innocent”--(v. 7a)--Eliphaz believes Job has sinned against God and should confess his sin if he is to be restored. "Consider this fact, who being innocent has perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed? I’ve observed this, that those who plow evil and trouble reap it" (4:7&8). His assumption was wrong regarding Job. The answer that he gives is not the right answer. To get the right answer you need to be sure about the question. His assumption sprang from his observation “I have seen” (v. 8, 5:3 “I have seen the foolish taking root”). revelation (4:12) “a word was secretly brought to me.” Sometimes people will say, “God spoke to me” but we need to be sure it lines up with the Word of God.

3. An authority (vvs. 12-21) “Can a mortal be more righteous than God?” (v. 17)--Arrogance arises in Eliphaz when he takes the occasion to reveal that he had received his knowledge from a spirit in the middle of the night, one who argues that humans cannot be trusted because of their sin. This seems to have been some type of special revelation that apparently no one else heard.” Sometimes people will say, “God spoke to me” but we need to be sure it lines up with the Word of God. "If I were you I’d stop griping and start asking God for His help, God can punish - but He can also rescue! If you are suffering it must be because God is trying to teach you a lesson.”

4. An assurance (5:1-27) “Happy is the man whom God corrects” (v. 17)--Eliphaz challenges Job to trust God to heal and defend him after He has punished him. However, this is not true in Job’s case. Eliphaz is saying, "Don’t despise the discipline of the Lord, (5:17). "If something happens to a person, well, they’ve got it coming to them. We all know God is absolutely straight," (vvs. 17-19). “Once you are back on good terms with God then everything will turn around and then it will be the old times again. You’ll be enjoying prosperity and security." That’s what Eliphaz says (vv. 18 to 27). His suffering is not the result of chastening. Note that Eliphaz sums it up in v. 26.