Job 4:6

Job 4:6 is a pivotal question posed by Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's three friends, during his first speech. Having heard Job's lamentations and expressions of deep despair, Eliphaz attempts to offer what he believes is comfort and wisdom, but his words ultimately become a source of further pain for Job.

Context

This verse comes after Job has cursed the day of his birth and expressed his desire for death, questioning why the afflicted are given light (Job 3:20). Eliphaz begins his discourse by cautiously addressing Job, then quickly moves to a traditional theological stance: that suffering is a direct consequence of sin. In Job 4:6, Eliphaz is essentially asking, "If you are truly righteous, as you claim, shouldn't your reverence for God, your confidence, your hope, and your blameless conduct be sufficient to sustain you through this ordeal?" He implies that Job's current suffering must, therefore, indicate a hidden sin, despite Job's previously attested blameless and upright character.

Key Themes

• Theology of Retribution: Eliphaz's words are steeped in the prevailing wisdom of his time, which posited a direct link between righteousness and prosperity, and sin and suffering. He cannot conceive that a truly righteous person would suffer so immensely without cause. This perspective is a central theme challenged throughout the Book of Job.
• Integrity Under Scrutiny: The verse highlights the very qualities for which Job was renowned: his "fear" (reverence for God), his "confidence" (trust in God), his "hope" (expectation of divine favor), and the "uprightness of his ways." Eliphaz is testing the authenticity of these virtues in the crucible of Job's suffering.
• False Comfort and Accusation: While seemingly empathetic, Eliphaz's question subtly shifts from comfort to accusation, suggesting that Job's internal spiritual state or past actions are deficient, leading to his current plight. This represents a common pitfall in offering counsel to those in distress.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used in this verse carry significant weight:

• "Fear" (yir'ah - יִרְאָה): This is not mere terror, but a profound reverence and awe for God, often equated with wisdom and the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 9:10). Eliphaz implies that Job's established piety should be his anchor.
• "Confidence" (kisla - כִּסְלָה): This word can denote trust, security, or even foolishness. In this context, it refers to Job's sense of security or assurance, presumably rooted in his walk with God.
• "Hope" (tiqvah - תִּקְוָה): Refers to expectation or anticipation, often for a positive outcome or divine intervention.
• "Uprightness of thy ways" (tom derekheykha - תֹּם דְּרָכֶיךָ): Literally, the "integrity of your paths." This phrase directly echoes the description of Job at the beginning of the book as "perfect and upright" (Job 1:1).

Practical Application

Job 4:6, though spoken by a flawed human perspective, offers several insights for believers today:

• Beware of Simplistic Explanations for Suffering: Just as Eliphaz misjudged Job, we must be cautious not to attribute all suffering directly to personal sin. The Bible teaches that suffering can have many sources, and sometimes, as in Job's case, it is part of a divine plan to test and refine faith (see John 9:3).
• The True Test of Faith: The qualities Eliphaz mentions—fear of God, confidence, hope, and uprightness—are indeed vital for a godly life. However, their true strength is revealed not in times of ease, but when they are severely tested, as Job's were.
• Offer Empathy, Not Judgment: When comforting others in distress, it is crucial to offer genuine empathy and support rather than veiled accusations or judgmental questions that can further burden the suffering individual.