We seek to establish in the podcast on vs. 20-35 that many of the things said about the wicked by Eliphaz are pictured as judgments upon the wicked throughout the Bible. If that is so, what is wrong with Eliphaz speech? He is not wrong about the punishment of the wicked, but he wrong in classing Job among the guilty. Second, Eliphaz is not wrong about the judgment of the wicked, but do all these judgments work out in this life? Luke 16:19-31 gives us additional light from the New Testament. Lazarus laid at the rich man's gate, begging for things to eat, and having his sores licked by dogs fits Eliphaz' picture of the wicked man. On the other hand the righteous man's abundance and blessings seem to indicate him as a righteous man. However, things were much different than they appeared outwardly. The ultimate blessings of righteousness and penalties of wickedness do not manifest themselves always in this world.

The things Eliphaz says are the very things that have happened to Job. Fire consumes (15:30, 34; 1:16), marauders attack (15:21; 1:13-15, 17), possessions are taken away (15:29; 1:17), his wealth did not endure (15:29; 1:13-17), and the houses of his children crumbled (15:28; 1:19). The discussion above has sought to call attention to how the same vocabulary words and ideas used by Eliphaz were used by Job to describe his own experience.

Jesus and Job

15:22 The wicked was destined for the sword. The LORD of hosts reckons the sword against His Shepherd declaring that the Shepherd will be struck and all the sheep scattered in Zech. 13:7. Jesus quotes a portion of Zech. 13:7 in Matt. 26:31 and Mark 14:27 and applies it to Himself and His disciples. Jesus too was destined for the sword.

15:2 Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge- The words that Job uses are not typical of a wise man. Eliphaz will hit Job with a barrage of questions.

And fill himself with the east wind? The east wind comes off the desert and produces great discomfort (Jonah 4:8), destruction of crops (Gen. 41:6, 23, 27; Ezek. 17:10; 19:12), the tearing apart of ships (Ps. 48:7; Ezek. 27:26), brings locusts (Ex. 10:13), and is a picture of judgment (Job 27:21; Jer. 18:17; Hos. 13:15).

Bildad in 8:2 and Zophar in 11:2 speak in a similar way to what Eliphaz says here. Job did describe his words this way in 6:26. Job will describe their words the same way in 16:2-3.

The word translated himself is sometimes translated belly (KJV, ESV, NIV, NET) (Jud. 3:21, 22; Job 20:15, 23) or abdomen (Num. 5:21, 22, 27) or even womb (Gen. 25:23-24; 30:2; 38:27; Job 1:21; 3:10-11). This word is also used in vs. 35. Since this was believed to be the seat of emotions therefore Eliphaz accuses Job of speaking more from the standpoint of emotion than intellect.

15:3 Should he argue with useless talk- The word argue was prominent in Job’s last speech- 13:3, 10, 10, 15.

Or with words which are not profitable?- This word profitable is used in texts where the people pursue idols that could not profit (Isa. 30:5-6; 44:9-10; 57:12; Jer. 2:8, 11; 7:8; 12:13; 16:19; 23:32). Job’s words are empty and unprofitable as idols.

15:4 Indeed, you do away with reverence- The word you is emphatic as Eliphaz describes what Job is doing. It is Job, not God, who is in the wrong. The verb do away is the same Hebrew word translated frustrates in 5:12 in which God frustrates the plotting of the shrewd. It is a word that often speaks of covenant breaking (Gen. 17:14; Lev. 26:15, 44; Num. 15:31; Deut. 31:16, 20; Judges 2:1; Ps. 119:126). The LORD uses it of Job in 40:8 saying that Job seeks to annul (NASB) or nullify the LORD’s justice.

The word reverence is the root word used in 1:1, 8; 2:3 as the text talks about Job as one who fears God. (Also see Job 4:6; 22:4; 28:28; Ps. 111:10; Prov. 1:7; 9:10). Particularly striking is the contrast between this verse and 4:6. In 4:6 Eliphaz seems to acknowledge Job’s piety while in 15:4 he says that Job himself undermines it.

Job has questioned God’s justice and sought to call Him to court. These indeed are striking words.

15:5 And you choose the language of the crafty- In 5:12 it was difficult to tell if Eliphaz put Job in the company of those who are crafty, but there is no doubt here. The word crafty can be used more positively as prudent (Prov.12:16, 23; 13:16; 14:8,15, 18; 22:3; 27:12), but the context demands a more negative use. It is the same word used of the serpent in Gen. 3:1.

14:13 Is Sheol far enough away from God to be used as a hiding place (Ps. 139:8; Amos 9:2)? The question must be asked, Is there any time or space to hide from the wrath of the eternal, omnipresent God? Jesus is the safe hiding spot from the wrath of God (Ro. 3:21-26; I Thess. 1:10).

14:13 The thief on the cross begged Jesus to remember him in Luke 23:42-43.

14:14 If he had hope of resurrection, in spite of his hardships, an assurance of life after death would fill him with hope. Hope of a resurrection can sustain us through the trials of life.

14:14 We shall all be changed- I Cor. 15:51. Belief in the resurrection of Jesus assuring a resurrection to life for all those who trust Him is a game/life changer.

14:15 Life would be no less oppressive, but it would be tolerable if he would be raised, vindicated, and given life.[1] Is the call that Job hopes for like the one that Lazarus received (John 11:43)? John 5:28-29. This may be the idea behind the song, “I’ll be somewhere listening for my name.”

14:15 What is God’s purpose for providing the resurrection? God’s longs for fellowship with man. He desires the work of His hands.

14:16-17 Job longs for God to forgive his sins. He wants God to dismiss the incriminating evidence against him.[2] It is because of Jesus that we are blessed to have forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 10:43).

Remember Phil. 1:19 and context considering its seeming allusion to Job 13:16.

14:20 God does not send man away but brings him to Himself (Phil. 1:20-23; II Cor. 5:1-8).

14:21 In the resurrection believers are joined to each other (I Thess. 4:13-18).

[1] Much of this wording was influenced by Habel, 243.
[2] The language for this was influenced by Douglas Sean O’Donnell, “Job” in the Expository Commentary, vol. 4, 385. General Editors: Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., Jay Sklar. Wheaton, Crossway, 2020.