Job
chapter 22 begins with a question that is fundamental to our faith.
Job’s friends believe they have earned God’s favor by doing
righteous deeds. They focus entirely on outward actions and outward
appearance. The chapter is filled with a sarcastic superiority as
Job is questioned. The chapter begins, “Eliphaz
the Temanite replied:
“Can
a man be of benefit to God?“.
He is asking, does the all sufficient God, Creator of all things,
need anything that man can provide? He is pointing out Job’s total
worthlessness. “Look at yourself, you are broke, sick and shamed,
what good are you to God?” The tone is of a prosecuting attorney
questioning a man with a long criminal history after he was caught
red-handed. Eliphaz continues his cross-examination. “What
pleasure would it give the Almighty if you were righteous? What
would He gain if your ways were blameless?”
He is saying the circumstantial evidence proves God has rejected
you! Sadly, this is where many people find themselves today after
they trust in their own goodness. No one is perfect; we all fall
short of the mark. So how do we please God? Matthew
3:17 tells us where to begin, “A
voice came
from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased.’“.
Eliphaz
then mocks Job’s earlier claim of innocence. “Is
it
for your piety that He rebukes you?“
Next
he accuses Job of bringing God’s wrath upon himself.
“Is
not your wickedness great?
Are not your sins endless?”
And Eliphaz lists a series of false charges, “You
gave no water to the weary and you withheld food from the hungry…
you sent widows away empty-handed…
That
is why…
sudden
peril terrifies you“.
This just reminds me of our tendency to make assumptions about
people based on what we can see. Proverbs 21:2 reminds us, “Every
way of a man is
right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts“.
So what can we look for?
Galatians 5:23 tells there will be “fruits” visible in the life
of one who honors God. “But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control“.Eliphaz
closes with an eloquent explanation of true repentance. Years ago, I
used to duplicate the teaching tapes at church. Many times people
would request a copy by saying something like, “My husband really
needs to listen to this one!” I often thought, “You should
probably listen to it again first to see if it applies more to YOU”.
He begins, “Submit
to God and be at peace with Him; in this way prosperity will come to
you. Accept instruction from His mouth and lay up His words in your
heart“.
There is no doubt in my mind, the more we read and study God’s
Word, the more it will change us from the inside-out.
He
says correctly,
“If
you return to the Almighty, you will be restored… the Almighty will
be your gold… Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty“.
If you want to find real fulfillment in everything you do, find the
ministry.
Finally
he gives some encouragement to his weary friend. “You
will pray to Him, and He will hear you“.
He does give Job a final jab, but in fact it does contain some
foreshadowing. “He
will deliver even one who is not innocent, who will be delivered
through the cleanness of your hands“.
Micah
7:18 reminds us the easiest way to please God is to call on His name
in times of need. “He
does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in
mercy“.
Do you want to please God? Accept His mercy!