Job 5:17

Commentary on Job 5:17 (KJV)

Job 5:17, spoken by Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's three friends, offers a perspective on suffering that, while rooted in a flawed understanding of Job's specific situation, contains a profound truth affirmed throughout Scripture. Eliphaz, in his initial discourse, attempts to console Job by suggesting that God's actions are always just and that suffering is often a result of sin or a means of correction. In this particular verse, he shifts to a more hopeful tone, emphasizing the beneficial nature of divine discipline.

Context

Eliphaz is the first of Job's friends to speak after Job's lament in Chapter 3. His theology, representative of conventional wisdom in his time, posits that God blesses the righteous and punishes the wicked. He urges Job to consider his ways, implying that Job's immense suffering must be due to some hidden sin. However, even within this framework, Eliphaz acknowledges that God's correction is ultimately for good. This verse is a pivotal point where he encourages Job not to despair but to see God's hand in his trials. While Eliphaz's application to Job was incorrect (as Job was righteous and suffering not due to sin), the general principle of God using trials for refinement is universally true and a core biblical concept, as revealed in James 1:2-4.

Key Themes

• Divine Discipline as a Blessing: The verse asserts that a person is truly "happy" or blessed when God corrects them. This challenges the common human tendency to view trials and discipline as purely negative. Instead, it presents them as evidence of God's active involvement and care.
• The Purpose of Chastening: God's "chastening" is not arbitrary punishment but a form of training and instruction aimed at spiritual growth and moral improvement. It's a sign of a loving Father's desire to refine His children, leading them to righteousness. This concept is extensively developed in the New Testament, particularly in Hebrews 12:5-11, which states that the Lord disciplines those He loves.
• Submission and Acceptance: The imperative "despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty" is a call to humility and acceptance. It urges individuals not to resent or reject God's corrective hand, but to receive it with a willingness to learn and grow, recognizing His sovereign authority and wisdom.

Linguistic Insights

• "Happy" (Hebrew: 'ashrei): This word often conveys a sense of blessedness, inner well-being, or fortunate state. It's the same word used at the beginning of many Psalms (e.g., Psalm 1:1) to describe the blessedness of the righteous. It suggests a deep, abiding contentment that comes from being rightly related to God, even in the midst of correction.
• "Correcteth" (Hebrew: yakach): This term implies reproof, rebuke, or setting straight. It's about bringing someone back to the right path through instruction or conviction, not merely punishment.
• "Chastening" (Hebrew: musar): This is a rich word meaning discipline, instruction, or moral training. It encompasses the idea of education through experience, often through hardship, to impart wisdom and correction. It is inherently constructive.
• "Almighty" (Hebrew: Shaddai): One of the oldest and most profound names for God in the Old Testament, often translated as "God Almighty." It emphasizes God's omnipotence, self-sufficiency, and His power to provide and sustain, even through difficult circumstances. This name reassures that the One who corrects is fully capable and benevolent.

Practical Application

Job 5:17 encourages believers today to adopt a positive perspective on life's difficulties. When faced with trials, challenges, or even direct consequences of our actions, we are called to:

1. Recognize God's Hand: Understand that God, in His infinite wisdom and love, often uses challenging circumstances to teach, refine, and draw us closer to Him. This aligns with the wisdom found in Proverbs 3:11-12.
2. Embrace Correction: Rather than becoming bitter or resentful, we should humbly receive God's discipline. It is a sign of His fatherly love, not His rejection.
3. Seek Growth: View periods of correction as opportunities for spiritual growth, character development, and a deeper understanding of God's purposes. It is through these processes that we are shaped into the image of Christ.
4. Trust the Almighty: Remember that the One who corrects is the all-powerful and all-sufficient God, who works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). His discipline is always purposeful and redemptive.