Eliphaz’s has finished his first speech to Job. He implies that Job is resentful against God and that harm will follow.1 He then counsels Job to appeal directly to God, reciting many of God’s attributes as the reason.2
Eliphaz says that Job should see his suffering as God’s discipline. This was the only explanation that fit the conventional views of the day: if Job suffered, he must have sinned.4
But the book exposes the limits of this thinking. Readers know know what Job and his friends did not: bad things do happen to good people.5 Discipline is only one explanation for suffering, and it wasn’t the right one for Job’s circumstances.6
The chapter also warns about careless comfort. Eliphaz’s words about security and children must have seemed cruel and hollow to a man who had lost both.7 He meant to offer theological comfort, but instead wounded Job with false accusation.8
What are your thoughts?
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