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Commentary on Job 5 verses 6–16
Eliphaz, having touched Job in a very tender part, in mentioning both the loss of his estate and the death of his children as the just punishment of his sin, that he might not drive him to despair, here begins to encourage him, and puts him in a way to make himself easy. Now he very much changes his voice (Gal 4:20), and speaks in the accents of kindness, as if he would atone for the hard words he had given him.
I. He reminds him that no affliction comes by chance, nor is to be attributed to second causes: It doth not come forth of the dust, nor spring out of the ground, as the grass doth, Job 5:6. It doth not come of course, at certain seasons of the year, as natural productions do, by a chain of second causes. The proportion between prosperity and adversity is not so exactly observed by Providence as that between day and night, summer and winter, but according to the will and counsel of God, when and as he thinks fit. Some read it, Sin comes not forth out of the dust, nor iniquity of the ground. If men be bad, they must not lay the blame upon the soil, the climate, or the stars, but on themselves. If thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it. We must not attribute our afflictions to fortune, for they are from God, nor our sins to fate, for they are from ourselves; so that, whatever trouble we are in, we must own that God sends it upon us and we procure it to ourselves: the former is a reason why we should be very patient, the latter why we should be very penitent, when we are afflicted.
II. He reminds him that trouble and affliction are what we have all reason to expect in this world: Man is brought to trouble (Job 5:7), not as man (had he kept his innocency he would have been born to pleasure), but as sinful man, as born of a woman (Job 14:1), who was in the transgression. Man is born in sin, and therefore born to trouble. Even those that are born to honour and estate are yet born to trouble in the flesh. In our fallen state it has become natural to us to sin, and the natural consequence of that is affliction, Rom 5:12. There is nothing in this world we are born to, and can truly call our own, but sin and trouble; both are as the sparks that fly upwards. Actual transgressions are the sparks that fly out of the furnace of original corruption; and, being called transgressors from the womb, no wonder that we deal very treacherously, Isa 48:8. Such too is the frailty of our bodies, and the vanity of all our enjoyments, that our troubles also thence arise as naturally as the sparks fly upwards - so many are they, so thick and so fast does one follow another. Why then should we be surprised at our afflictions as strange, or quarrel with them as hard, when they are but what we are born to? Man is born to labour (so it is in the margin), is sentenced to eat his bread in the sweat of his face, which should inure him to hardness, and make him bear his afflictions the better.
III. He directs him how to behave himself under his affliction (Job 5:8): I would seek unto God; surely I would: so it is in the original. Here is, 1. A tacit reproof to Job for not seeking to God, but quarrelling with him: "Job, if I had been in thy case, I would not have been so peevish and passionate as thou art. I would have acquiesced in the will of God." It is easy to say what we would do if we were in such a one's case; but when it comes to the trial, perhaps it will be found not so easy to do as we say. 2. Very good and seasonable advice to him, which Eliphaz transfers to himself in a figure: "For my part, the best way I should think I could take, if I were in thy condition, would be to apply to God." Note, We should give our friends no other counsel than what we would take ourselves if we were in their case, that we may be easy under our afflictions, may get good by them, and may see a good issue of them. (1.) We must by prayer fetch in mercy and grace from God, seek to him as a Father and friend, though he contend with us, as one who is alone able to support and succour us. His favour we must seek when we have lost all we have in the world; to him we must address ourselves as the fountain and Father of all good, all consolation. Is any afflicted? let him pray. It is heart's-ease, a salve for every sore. (2.) We must by patience refer ourselves and our cause to him: To God would I commit my cause; having spread it before him, I would leave it with him; having laid it at his feet, I would lodge it in his hand. "Here I am, let the Lord do with me as seemeth him good." If our cause be indeed a good cause, we need not fear committing it to God, for he is both just and kind. Those that would seek so as to speed must refer themselves to God.
IV. He encourages him thus to seek to God, and commit his cause to him. It will not be in vain to do so, for he is one in whom we shall find effectual help.
1.He recommends to his consideration God's almighty power and sovereign dominion. In general, he doeth great things (Job 5:9), great indeed, for he can do any thing, he doth do every thing, and all according to the counsel of his own will - great indeed, for the operations of his power are, (1.) Unsearchable, and such as can never be fathomed, can never be found out from the beginning to the end, Ecc 3:11. The works of nature are mysterious; the most curious searches come far short of full discoveries and the wisest philosophers have owned themselves at a loss. The designs of Providence ar much more deep and unaccountable, Rom 11:33. (2.) Numerous, and such as can never be reckoned up. He doeth great things without number; his power is never exhausted, nor will all his purposes ever be fulfilled till the end of time. (3.) They are marvellous, and such as never can be sufficiently admired; eternity itself will be short enough to be spent in the admiration of them. Now, by the consideration of this, Eliphaz intends, [1.] To convince Job of his fault and folly in quarrelling with God. We must not pretend to pass a judgment upon his works, for they are unsearchable and above our enquiries; nor must we strive with our Maker, for he will certainly be too hard for us, and is able to crush us in a moment. [2.] To encourage Job to seek unto God, and to refer his cause to him. What more encouraging than to see that he is one to whom power belongs? He can do great things and marvellous for our relief, when we are brought ever so low.
2.He gives some instances of God's dominion and power.
(1.)God doeth great things in the kingdom of nature: He gives rain upon the earth (Job 5:10), put here for all the gifts of common providence, all the fruitful seasons by which he filleth our hearts with food and gladness, Act 14:17. Observe, When he would show what great things God does he speaks of his giving rain, which, because it is a common thing, we are apt to look upon as a little thing, but, if we duly consider both how it is produced and what is produced by it, we shall see it to be a great work both of power and goodness.
(2.)He doeth great things in the affairs of the children of men, not only enriches the poor and comforts the needy, by the rain he sends (Job 5:10), but, in order to the advancing of those that are low, he disappoints the devices of the crafty; for Job 5:11 is to be joined to Job 5:12. Compare with Luk 1:51-53. He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, and so hath exalted those of low degree, and filled the heart with good things. See,
[1.]How he frustrates the counsels of the proud and politic, Job 5:12-14. There is a supreme power that manages and overrules men who think themselves free and absolute, and fulfils its own purposes in spite of their projects. Observe, First, The froward, that walk contrary to God and the interests of his kingdom, are often very crafty; for they are the seed of the old serpent that was noted for his subtlety. They think themselves wise, but, at the end, will be fools. Secondly, The Froward enemies of God's kingdom have their devices, their enterprises, and their counsels, against it, and against the loyal faithful subjects of it. They are restless and unwearied in their designs, close in their consultations, high in their hopes, deep in their politics, and fast-linked in their confederacies, Psa 2:1, Psa 2:2. Thirdly, God easily can, and (as far as is for his glory) certainly will, blast and defeat all the designs of his and his people's enemies. How were the plots of Ahithophel, Sanballat, and Haman baffled! How were the confederacies of Syria and Ephraim against Judah, of Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek, against God's Israel, the kings of the earth and the princes against the Lord and against his anointed, broken! The hands that have been stretched out against God and his church have not performed their enterprise, nor have the weapons formed against Sion prospered. Fourthly, That which enemies have designed for the ruin of the church has often turned to their own ruin (Job 5:13): He takes the wise in their own craftiness, and snares them in the work of their own hands, Psa 7:15, Psa 7:16; Psa 9:15, Psa 9:16. This is quoted by the apostle (Co1 3:19) to show how the learned men of the heathen were befooled by their own vain philosophy. Fifthly, When God infatuates men they are perplexed, and at a loss, even in those things that seem most plain and easy (Job 5:14): They meet with darkness even in the day-time: nay (as in the margin), They run themselves into darkness by the violence and precipitation of their own counsels. See Job 12:20, Job 12:24, Job 12:25.
[2.]How he favours the cause of the poor and humble, and espouses that. First, He exalts the humble, Job 5:11. Those whom proud men contrive to crush he raises from under their feet, and sets them in safety, Psa 12:5. The lowly in heart, and those that mourn, he advances, comforts, and makes to dwell on high, in the munitions of rocks, Isa 33:16. Sion's mourners are the sealed ones, marked for safety, Eze 9:4. Secondly, He delivers the oppressed, Job 5:15. The designs of the crafty are to ruin the poor. Tongue, and hand, and sword, and all, are at work in order to this; but God takes under his special protection those who, being poor and unable to help themselves, being his poor and devoted to his praise, have committed themselves to him. He saves them from the mouth that speaks hard things against them and the hand that does hard things against them; for he can, when he pleases, tie the tongue and wither the hand. The effect of this is (Job 5:16), 1. That weak and timorous saints are comforted: So the poor, who began to despair, has hope. The experiences of some are encouragement to others to hope the best in the worst of times; for it is the glory of God to send help to the helpless and hope to the hopeless. 2. That daring threatening sinners are confounded: Iniquity stops her mouth, being surprised at the strangeness of the deliverance, ashamed of its enmity against those who appear to be the favourites of Heaven, mortified at the disappointment, and compelled to acknowledge the justice of God's proceedings, having nothing to object against them. Those that domineered over God's poor, that frightened them, menaced them, and falsely accused them, will not have a word to say against them when God appears for them. See Psa 76:8, Psa 76:9; Isa 26:11; Mic 7:16.
Look! This is what God does, so the weak may hope for happiness and the powerful may not become proud. In fact, he said above, “Call for help in order to see whether you will be listened to,” so that you may not think that there are things that escape providence.… Eliphaz dedicates the beginning of his speech to the defeat of Job. Indeed, God is accustomed to exalt the weak, to bring the powerful down and to confound the cunning. Now draw your own conclusions.
39. And here it is properly subjoined, But he shall save the poor from the sword of their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty. For the ‘poor’ is everyone that is not set up in his own eyes. And hence ‘Truth’ saith in the Gospel, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [Matt. 5, 3] Now a person is drawn into sin in two ways. For either he is led on by pleasure, or overcome by fear. For ‘the sword of the mouth’ is the mischievousness of persuasion, but ‘the hand of the mighty’ is the opposition of power. But because he that is truly humble, who is here called ‘the poor,’ as he covets none of the good things of this world, so also undauntedly sets at nought even its adverse fortune, it is well said, But He saveth the poor from the sword of their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty. As if it were put plainly; ‘God doth so firmly establish the souls of the humble in Himself, that neither the alluring arts of persuasion can draw them, nor the pains of punishment break them in to the practice of sin. For hope rears the spirit into the eternal world, and therefore it is not sensible of any of the ills without, that it falls under. And hence it is subjoined, So the needy shall have hope. Unto the fruits of which same hope, verily, when the poor man attaineth, everyone that is exalted is struck dumb; and hence it is yet further added, And iniquity shall stop her mouth. For the wicked man detracts from the good, and the righteous ways, which he cares not to practise, he never ceases to pull in pieces by slander, but iniquity at that time stoppeth her mouth, when her eyes are opened to see how great is the glory of the recompense provided for righteous souls. For then he is not at liberty to speak against the good, in that torments hold his tongue tied by the deserved retribution of his misdeeds. Hence it is well delivered by Hannah, speaking in prophecy, He will keep the feet of his Saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness. [1 Sam. 2, 9] But that every elect soul may escape eternal woe, and the poor mount up to everlasting glory, he must be bruised here below with continual stripes, that he may be found purified in the Judgment. For we are every day borne downwards by the mere weight of our infirmity, but that by the wonderful interposition of our Maker we are relieved by succouring stripes,
35. For it is this very Poor Man of whom it is said by Paul, Though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor. [2 Cor. 8, 9] And because the Jews in accusing betrayed the Lord, Whom, when so betrayed, the Gentiles put to death, by ‘the sword of the mouth’ may be signified the tongue of the Hebrews, that were His accusers, of whom the Psalmist saith, Whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. [Ps. 57, 4] For, as the Gospel also witnesses, they cried out, Crucify Him, Crucify Him. Luke 23, 21; John 19, 6] But by ‘the hand of the violent’ may be set forth the very Gentile world itself, which crucified Him, which in our Redeemer's death fulfilled in act the words of the Hebrews; God then ‘saved this Poor One both from the hand of the violent,’ and from ‘the sword of the mouth,’ in that our Redeemer, in His human Nature, was subjected both to the powers of the Gentiles, and to the tongues of the Jews by dying, but in the power of His Divine Nature He overcame them by rising again. By which same resurrection what else is brought to pass than that our weakness is strengthened to conceive the hope of the life hereafter?
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SUMMARY
Job 5:15, articulated by Eliphaz the Temanite in his initial discourse, powerfully asserts God's active and benevolent intervention on behalf of the vulnerable. It highlights divine protection and deliverance for the poor, rescuing them from multifaceted forms of oppression, including physical violence, verbal assault, and the overwhelming authority of the powerful. This verse underscores God's commitment to justice and His sovereign ability to intercede in human affairs, even as it functions within Eliphaz's broader, albeit ultimately flawed, theological framework concerning the nature of suffering and divine retribution.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Job 5:15 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is Parallelism, specifically a form of synonymous or climactic parallelism, where the various threats from which God saves are enumerated in a series: "from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty." This repetition of the preposition "from" emphasizes the multifaceted nature of the dangers faced by the poor and the comprehensive scope of God's deliverance. Metonymy and Synecdoche are also at play, where "sword" stands in for violence or war, "mouth" for oppressive speech or legal pronouncements, and "hand" for oppressive power or actions. These vivid, concrete images create a strong sense of the tangible threats faced by the vulnerable. The verse also utilizes powerful Imagery to paint a stark picture of the dangers (sword, mouth, hand) from which the "poor" require salvation, thereby underscoring the magnitude and necessity of God's protective intervention.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 5:15, despite being part of Eliphaz's counsel which ultimately misapplies divine truth to Job's situation, articulates a profound and enduring truth about God's character: His unwavering commitment to justice and His active defense of the vulnerable. This verse aligns perfectly with the broader biblical narrative that consistently portrays God as the champion of the oppressed, the one who hears the cry of the needy and intervenes on their behalf. It highlights divine sovereignty over human power, asserting that no earthly might can ultimately thwart God's purposes or escape His righteous judgment. God is not a distant observer but an engaged deliverer, demonstrating compassion and providing refuge for those subjected to exploitation and abuse. This theological truth serves as a source of hope for the afflicted and a call to action for those who follow God to embody His justice.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 5:15 offers both profound encouragement and a clear imperative for believers today. For those experiencing injustice, poverty, or any form of oppression, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that God sees their plight, hears their cries, and is capable of active, powerful deliverance. It encourages unwavering trust in His divine providence, even when circumstances seem bleak and human solutions appear absent. It reassures us that our God is not indifferent to suffering but is deeply invested in the well-being of the marginalized. For those who are not directly experiencing such oppression, this verse serves as a compelling call to action. As followers of God, we are called to reflect His character and participate in His work of justice. This means actively advocating for the poor and marginalized, speaking out against injustice, and working practically to protect those vulnerable to exploitation and harm. It challenges us to use whatever influence, resources, or voice we possess to stand with the defenseless, mirroring the divine compassion and protective justice revealed in this passage. Ultimately, it reinforces our confidence in God's ultimate justice, knowing that He will deliver His people from all forms of oppression, whether physical, verbal, or systemic.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does this verse imply that all suffering of the poor is due to oppression from the mighty?
Answer: No, not exclusively. While Job 5:15 specifically addresses God's deliverance of the poor from external threats like the "sword," "mouth," and "hand of the mighty," it doesn't suggest that all poverty or suffering stems solely from oppression. The Bible acknowledges various causes of poverty, including natural disasters, personal choices, and systemic issues not directly tied to malicious intent. However, this verse strongly emphasizes God's particular concern for those who are made vulnerable by the powerful, highlighting His commitment to justice against exploitation and abuse. It points to a specific aspect of God's character as a defender of the defenseless, aligning with passages like Psalm 82:3-4 which call for defending the cause of the poor and needy.
How does Eliphaz's statement here fit into the overall message of the Book of Job?
Answer: Eliphaz's statement in Job 5:15 contains a theological truth about God's character as a protector of the oppressed, which is consistent with the broader biblical witness. However, within the context of the Book of Job, Eliphaz (and the other friends) misapplies this truth to Job's situation. They operate under a rigid retribution theology, assuming Job's suffering must be due to his sin, and that God's deliverance is conditional upon Job's repentance. The book ultimately challenges this simplistic cause-and-effect understanding of suffering, revealing that God's ways are more complex and His justice not always immediately discernible or tied to human merit. While Eliphaz's words about God's protective nature are true in themselves, their application to Job's innocent suffering is where his counsel falls short, as God later affirms Job's righteousness and rebukes the friends for not speaking what was right about Him (Job 42:7-8).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 5:15, with its declaration of God's saving the poor from the sword, the mouth, and the hand of the mighty, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Eliphaz's words were part of a limited and often misapplied understanding of divine justice, Christ embodies the perfect manifestation of God's heart for the vulnerable. Jesus, though rich, became poor for our sakes (2 Corinthians 8:9), identifying fully with the marginalized and oppressed. His earthly ministry was characterized by an unwavering compassion for the poor, the sick, the outcast, and those burdened by sin, as proclaimed in His inaugural sermon (Luke 4:18-19). He did not merely save from physical swords or oppressive words but from the ultimate "hand of the mighty"—the power of sin and death itself, disarming the spiritual forces of evil through His cross (Colossians 2:15). Through His atoning work, He delivers all who are spiritually poor and oppressed by their sin, offering them liberation, righteousness, and new life in His kingdom, where true justice and eternal peace will reign (Revelation 21:4). Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), providing the ultimate salvation that Job 5:15 foreshadows.