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Job 15:1
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Eliphaz Accuses Job of Folly

1 Then aEliphaz the Temanite answered and said: 
2 “Should a wise man answer with empty knowledge,
And fill1 himself with the east wind? 
3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk,
Or by speeches with which he can do no good?
4 Yes, you cast off fear,
And restrain1 prayer before God. 
5 For your iniquity teaches your mouth,
And you choose the tongue of the crafty.
6 aYour own mouth condemns you, and not I;
Yes, your own lips testify against you. 
7 “Are you the first man who was born?
aOr were you made before the hills? 
8 aHave you heard the counsel of God?
Do you limit wisdom to yourself? 
9 aWhat do you know that we do not know?
What do you understand that is not in us? 
10 aBoth the gray-haired and the aged are among us,
Much older than your father. 
11 Are the consolations of God too small for you,
And the word spoken1 gently with you? 
12 Why does your heart carry you away,
And1 what do your eyes wink at, 
13 That you turn your spirit against God,
And let such words go out of your mouth?
14 “Whata is man, that he could be pure?
And he who is born of a woman, that he could be righteous? 
15 aIf God puts no trust in His saints,
And the heavens are not pure in His sight, 
16 aHow much less man, who is abominable and filthy,
bWho drinks iniquity like water! 
17 “I will tell you, hear me;
What I have seen I will declare,
18 What wise men have told,
Not hiding anything received afrom their fathers, 
19 To whom alone the1 land was given,
And ano alien passed among them: 
20 The wicked man writhes with pain all his days,
aAnd the number of years is hidden from the oppressor. 
21 1Dreadful sounds are in his ears;
aIn prosperity the destroyer comes upon him. 
22 He does not believe that he will areturn from darkness,
For a sword is waiting for him. 
23 He awanders about for bread, saying, ‘Where is it?’
He knows bthat a day of darkness is ready at his hand. 
24 Trouble and anguish make him afraid;
They overpower him, like a king ready for1 battle. 
25 For he stretches out his hand against God,
And acts defiantly against the Almighty,
26 Running stubbornly against Him
With his strong, embossed shield.
27 “Thougha he has covered his face with his fatness,
And made his waist heavy with fat, 
28 He dwells in desolate cities,
In houses which no one inhabits,
Which are destined to become ruins.
29 He will not be rich,
Nor will his wealth acontinue,
Nor will his possessions overspread the earth. 
30 He will not depart from darkness;
The flame will dry out his branches,
And aby the breath of His mouth he will go away. 
31 Let him not atrust in futile things, deceiving himself,
For futility will be his reward. 
32 It will be accomplished abefore his time,
And his branch will not be green. 
33 He will shake off his unripe grape like a vine,
And cast off his blossom like an olive tree.
34 For the company of hypocrites will be barren,
And fire will consume the tents of bribery.
35 aThey conceive trouble and bring forth futility;
Their womb prepares deceit.” 
Commentaries:
Matthew Henry
<< Job 14:22   Job 15:2 >>


Job 15:1-35

Eliphaz reproves Job. (1-16) The unquietness of wicked men. (17-35)

Verses 1-16 Eliphaz begins a second attack upon Job, instead of being softened by his complaints. He unjustly charges Job with casting off the fear of God, and all regard to him, and restraining prayer. See in what religion is summed up, fearing God, and praying to him; the former the most needful principle, the latter the most needful practice. Eliphaz charges Job with self-conceit. He charges him with contempt of the counsels and comforts given him by his friends. We are apt to think that which we ourselves say is important, when others, with reason, think little of it. He charges him with opposition to God. Eliphaz ought not to have put harsh constructions upon the words of one well known for piety, and now in temptation. It is plain that these disputants were deeply convinced of the doctrine of original sin, and the total depravity of human nature. Shall we not admire the patience of God in bearing with us? and still more his love to us in the redemption of Christ Jesus his beloved Son?

Verses 17-35 Eliphaz maintains that the wicked are certainly miserable: whence he would infer, that the miserable are certainly wicked, and therefore Job was so. But because many of God's people have prospered in this world, it does not therefore follow that those who are crossed and made poor, as Job, are not God's people. Eliphaz shows also that wicked people, particularly oppressors, are subject to continual terror, live very uncomfortably, and perish very miserably. Will the prosperity of presumptuous sinners end miserably as here described? Then let the mischiefs which befal others, be our warnings. Though no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous, nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness to them that are exercised thereby. No calamity, no trouble, however heavy, however severe, can rob a follower of the Lord of his favour. What shall separate him from the love of Christ?


 
<< Job 14:22   Job 15:2 >>

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