Job 22

Job 22:1

C. The Third Round of Speeches (Chaps. 2231)1. Eliphaz’s Third Speech (Chap. 22)In the third round, Eliphaz and Bildad conclude their arguments, using a great deal of repetition. Zophar remains silent. Job answers them and is apparently unaffected by their arguments, since he knows that he is not a secret sinner nor a hypocrite, but, as chapter one reveals, a blameless man (but not sinless or humble). Eliphaz’s last speech is full of dignity and literary beauty; he is slightly more polite to the poor sufferer, but unjust nevertheless. 22:1-11 Eliphaz’s questions are designed to show that God doesn’t need Job or anything he has or does, including his blameless . . . ways. Then he launches into a prolonged tirade in which he accuses Job of gross wickednesstaking wrongful pledges from the poor, refusing water to the weary, bread to the hungry, taking land by force, and oppressing widows and orphans. That, according to Eliphaz, accounts for Job’s present dilemma. The facts, however, were otherwise; Job had shown great social consciousness and had been generous in his charity. 22:12-20 Job should not think that God in the height of heaven doesn’t see what is going on. If he continues in sin, he will share the fate of the people of Noah’s day, when the earth’s foundations were swept away by a floodpeople whom God had previously prospered. The righteous rejoice whenever the wicked are punished. 22:21-30 Eliphaz truly has some exquisite words for Job in this his final appeal: “Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace” (v. 21a); “Yes, the Almighty will be your gold and your precious silver” (v. 25); and “so light will shine on your ways” (v. 28b). These words are not only beautiful, but also truefor a repentant sinner “returning to the Almighty” and “removing iniquity far from his tents” (v. 23)! The only problem is one of application: Job has not been living in sin! Barnes summarizes Eliphaz’s final appeal to Job: The Almighty would be his defense; he would find happiness in God; his prayer would be heard; light would shine upon his ways; and when others were humbled, he would be exalted.