Job Five

by Dr. Henry M. Morris

(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)

Job 5:1 Call now, if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn?

which of the saints. Although Eliphaz knew the truth about the God of creation (Job 5:9-10), he seemed also to know about angels (“saints” means “holy ones”), and to believe that they could answer prayers if they so chose. This might indicate a leaning toward pagan polytheism, a tendency that perhaps made it easier for the spirit (Job 4:15) to deceive him.

Job 5:2 For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.

Job 5:3 I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation.

Job 5:4 His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, neither is there any to deliver them.

Job 5:5 Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance.

Job 5:6 Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground;

Job 5:7 Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

born unto trouble. Eliphaz here indicates his knowledge of the primeval curse on human birth: “In sorrow thou shalt bring forth children” (Genesis 3:16).

Job 5:8 I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:

Job 5:9 Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:

Job 5:10 Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:

Job 5:11 To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.

Job 5:12 He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.

Job 5:13 He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.

their own craftiness. Note 1 Corinthians 3:19: “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” Paul here acknowledges indirectly that the book of Job is a part of the inspired Scriptures. Even though God said that the counsel of Eliphaz was wrong (Job 42:7), the record of what he said was accurately recorded by divine inspiration; many of his statements are true, even though his conclusions are wrong, and the Holy Spirit was free to use and apply any of them He might choose when He later inspired Paul's writings.

froward. “Froward” is the opposite to “to-ward;” and means “perverted” or “contrary.”

Job 5:14 They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in the night.

Job 5:15 But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.

Job 5:16 So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.

Job 5:17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

chastening of the Almighty. This is another observation by Eliphaz which the Lord has acknowledged as inspired. It is quoted, with variations, in Proverbs 3:11-12 and then with more emphasis and amplification in Hebrews 12:5-6.

Job 5:18 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.

Job 5:19 He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

Job 5:20 In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword.

Job 5:21 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.

Job 5:22 At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

Job 5:23 For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.

Job 5:24 And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin.

Job 5:25 Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth.

Job 5:26 Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.

Job 5:27 Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.

for thy good. This arrogant assertion by Eliphaz indicates two things have happened previously. First, the evil spirit so impressed him with his deceptive message that Eliphaz was confident he was conveying divinely inspired advice to Job. Secondly, he had convinced Bildad and Zophar that this was the message they should unitedly give Job.