Topical Bible: Wicked (People): Eliphaz's Exhortation To

Bible > Topical > Wicked (People)

◄ Wicked (People): Eliphaz's Exhortation To ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the Book of Job, Eliphaz the Temanite is one of Job's three friends who visit him during his time of suffering. Eliphaz's exhortation to the wicked is found primarily in Job 4 and 5, where he attempts to offer counsel and insight into the nature of suffering and the fate of the wicked.

Eliphaz begins his discourse by appealing to the wisdom of the ancients, suggesting that his insights are grounded in long-standing traditions and observations. He asserts that suffering is often a consequence of sin, implying that the wicked inevitably face divine retribution. In Job 4:8, Eliphaz states, "As I have observed, those who plow iniquity and those who sow trouble reap the same." This reflects a belief in the moral order of the universe, where actions have corresponding consequences.

Eliphaz further elaborates on the fate of the wicked in Job 5:12-14, where he declares, "He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success. He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning." Here, Eliphaz emphasizes the futility of wickedness, suggesting that God actively intervenes to frustrate the plans of those who act deceitfully.

Despite his stern warnings, Eliphaz also offers a message of hope and redemption. In Job 5:17-18, he encourages, "Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For He wounds, but He also binds; He strikes, but His hands also heal." Eliphaz implies that divine correction is an opportunity for repentance and restoration, urging the wicked to turn from their ways and seek God's mercy.

Eliphaz's exhortation reflects a broader biblical theme that underscores the justice of God and the moral accountability of individuals. While his counsel to Job is ultimately misguided, as it fails to account for the complexity of Job's situation, Eliphaz's words serve as a reminder of the biblical principle that wickedness leads to destruction, but repentance can lead to healing and reconciliation with God.

In summary, Eliphaz's exhortation to the wicked in the Book of Job highlights the belief in divine justice and the potential for redemption. His message underscores the importance of aligning one's life with God's righteous standards and the hope that even those who have strayed can find forgiveness and restoration through sincere repentance.

Nave's Topical Index

Job 22:21-30
Acquaint now yourself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come to you.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Peaceable Fruits of Sorrows Rightly Borne
... Eliphaz is not meant to be the interpreter of the ... in Scripture recognised as God's
judgments upon a people. ... the problem of the prosperity of the wicked and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the peaceable fruits of sorrows.htm