Job 5:26

Commentary on Job 5:26 (KJV)

Job 5:26 is part of Eliphaz the Temanite's first discourse to Job, who is suffering immensely. In this verse, Eliphaz offers a promise of restoration and a peaceful end to life, contingent on Job's repentance. He states, "Thou shalt come to [thy] grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season."

Context

Eliphaz, one of Job's three friends, attempts to counsel Job by asserting a common theological principle of his time: that suffering is a direct consequence of sin, and prosperity is a reward for righteousness. While Eliphaz's intentions may have been to offer comfort and hope, his understanding of God's ways was limited and ultimately challenged by the Book of Job itself. He suggests that if Job humbles himself and turns to God, he will be restored and experience a long, prosperous life. This verse encapsulates his vision of a blessed life, contrasted with Job's current state of profound suffering and loss. It's important to remember that this counsel, though seemingly wise, is later corrected by God, as seen in Job 42:7.

Key Themes and Messages

• Longevity and a Peaceful End: The primary promise is a long life culminating in a natural, peaceful death at a ripe old age. This was considered a significant blessing in ancient Near Eastern cultures, signifying divine favor and a life well-lived.
• Divine Order and Seasonality: The analogy of "a shock of corn cometh in in his season" beautifully illustrates the idea of a life reaching its natural, intended conclusion. Just as grain is harvested when it is fully ripe and ready, so too, Eliphaz suggests, will the righteous person's life end in its proper time, full and complete. This speaks to God's sovereignty over life and death, and the natural cycles He established.
• Conditional Blessing: From Eliphaz's perspective, this promise is conditional upon Job's repentance and return to God. He believes that by acknowledging and forsaking any hidden sin, Job can unlock God's blessings and experience this peaceful end.
• Hope Amidst Adversity: Despite the flawed premise of his theology, Eliphaz's words are intended to offer hope of restoration and a future free from suffering, providing a vision of peace that Job desperately sought.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "full age" translates the Hebrew word sêbâ (שֵׂיבָה), which refers to old age or gray hairs, often denoting a venerable and complete life. It signifies not merely a long duration but a life that has reached its natural maturity. The imagery of "a shock of corn" comes from the Hebrew gâdîsh (גָּדִישׁ), meaning a stack or heap of grain, specifically a bountiful harvest. The addition of "cometh in in his season" emphasizes the perfect timing and ripeness, suggesting a life that has fulfilled its potential and is gathered in at the appropriate, divinely appointed moment. This agricultural metaphor highlights the natural and complete cycle of life, much like the promise of flourishing even in old age.

Practical Application

While we understand that suffering is not always a direct result of personal sin, as Job's story clearly demonstrates, this verse still offers valuable insights for believers today:

• Trust in God's Timing: The "shock of corn" metaphor reminds us that God has a season for everything. We can trust in His perfect timing for our lives, including our end.
• Living a Full Life: The desire for a "full age" encourages us to live lives that are productive, faithful, and complete in God's eyes, so that when our time comes, we are "ripe" for His harvest.
• Hope for Believers: For those who walk with God, there is comfort in the promise of a peaceful transition, even if our earthly lives don't always align with the exact scenario Eliphaz describes. Our ultimate hope rests in God's care, both in life and in death, as seen in Psalm 116:15.