The Mystery of Suffering: Exploring Job 4 – Eliphaz and the Illusion of Merit

✨ Executive Summary

Job 4, the opening salvo of Eliphaz’s discourse, unveils a common, yet ultimately flawed, theological framework: the doctrine of retribution. Eliphaz, attempting to comfort Job, inadvertently inflicts deeper wounds by suggesting that suffering is a direct consequence of sin. He appeals to supposed past observations and a “revelation” to argue that the innocent do not truly suffer. This chapter forms a critical foundation for understanding the rest of the Book of Job, exposing the limitations of human wisdom in the face of divine mystery. We will delve into the subtle nuances of Eliphaz’s arguments, examining their scriptural validity, historical context, and spiritual implications, and explore how his words, though seemingly pious, actually misrepresent the nature of God and the complexity of human suffering. Ultimately, understanding Job 4 requires us to grapple with the question: **Do the innocent truly not suffer?**

The Book of Job is a cornerstone of wisdom literature, wrestling with profound questions of justice, suffering, and the sovereignty of God. Job 4 marks the beginning of the debate between Job and his friends, a debate that challenges simplistic notions of divine retribution and invites us to deeper reflection on the nature of faith and endurance. Eliphaz, the first to speak, presents a view that is both comforting and condemning, setting the stage for a complex and ultimately transformative exploration of human experience.

📜 Commentary on Job 4 – Verse by Verse

Job 4:1

א וַיַּעַן אֱלִיפַז הַתֵּימָנִי וַיֹּאמַר׃

(KJV) Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,

(NKJV) Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:

Eliphaz, identified as a “Temanite,” hails from Teman, a region in Edom known for its wisdom (Jeremiah 49:7). This geographical context adds weight to his words, as he represents a tradition of established knowledge and experience. The simple act of “answering” indicates that Job’s initial lament (Job 3) has prompted a response, setting the stage for a debate centered on the meaning of Job’s suffering. The fact that Eliphaz speaks *first* is significant; he assumes a position of authority and attempts to establish the terms of the discussion. This is a crucial moment to understand the backdrop of theological debate.

Spiritual Application: Consider the source of counsel you seek in times of trouble. Is it rooted in wisdom and experience, but also tempered with compassion and humility? Be wary of pronouncements that oversimplify complex realities.

Job 4:2

ב הֲנִסָּה דָבָר אֵלֶיךָ תִּלְאֶה וּמִי יוּכַל לְהִתְאַמֵּץ בְּמִלִּים׃

(KJV) If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?

(NKJV) “If one ventures a word with you, will you become weary? But who can withhold himself from speaking?

Eliphaz’s opening line is a delicate balancing act of courtesy and accusation. He asks, “If we venture a word with you, will you become weary?” This seemingly polite inquiry subtly suggests that Job is being unreasonable in his grief and unwillingness to listen to counsel. The rhetorical question, “But who can withhold himself from speaking?” implies that Eliphaz feels compelled to offer his wisdom, regardless of Job’s receptiveness. There’s a hint of impatience here, a sense that Job’s suffering is inconveniencing those around him. It’s like saying “Are you seriously going to make a fuss?” This reminds us of the challenge of comforting those in pain, and how easily our words can inadvertently cause more harm.

Spiritual Application: Before offering advice, consider the emotional state of the person in distress. Are they truly open to hearing your perspective? Sometimes, the most compassionate response is simply to listen and offer silent support. Before offering advice consider if a hosting solution would provide them with an outlet.

Job 4:3-6

ג הִנֵּה יִסַּרְתָּ רַבִּים וְיָדַיִם רָפוּת תְּחַזֵּק׃
ד כּוֹשֵׁל יְקִימוּ מִלֶּיךָ וּבִרְכַּיִם כֹּרְעוֹת תְּאַמֵּץ׃
ה עַתָּה תָּבוֹא אֵלֶיךָ תֵּלֶא תִּגַּע עָדֶיךָ וְתִבָּהֵל׃
ו הֲלֹא יִרְאָתְךָ כִּסְלָתֶךָ תִּקְוָתְךָ וְתֹם דְּרָכֶיךָ׃

(KJV) Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees. But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled. Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, the uprightness of thy ways, and thy hope?

(NKJV) Surely you have instructed many, And you have strengthened weak hands. Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, And you have strengthened the feeble knees; But now it comes upon you, and you are weary; It touches you, and you are troubled. Is not your reverence your confidence? The integrity of your ways your hope?

Here, Eliphaz attempts to establish Job’s credibility before subtly undermining it. He acknowledges Job’s past wisdom and ability to encourage others. This praise is strategic; it highlights the contrast between Job’s former strength and his current despair. Eliphaz implies that Job’s suffering is inconsistent with his past piety. He asks, “Is not this your fear, your confidence, the uprightness of your ways, and your hope?” This question implies that Job’s suffering calls into question the very foundation of his faith. It’s a clever rhetorical tactic, but a rather cruel one when directed at a person in profound grief.

Patristic Insight: St. Basil the Great, in his *Homilies on the Psalms*, warns against judging others based on their outward circumstances: “Μὴ κρίνετε κατ’ ὄψιν, ἀλλὰ τὴν δικαίαν κρίσιν κρίνετε” (Mē krinete kat’ opsin, alla tēn dikaian krisin krinete) – “Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). Eliphaz fails to heed this warning, judging Job’s internal state based solely on his external suffering.

Spiritual Application: Resist the temptation to measure someone’s faith based on their circumstances. Suffering is a part of the human experience, and it does not necessarily reflect a lack of piety. Remember the parable of the wheat and the tares; appearances can be deceptive (Matthew 13:24-30).

Job 4:7-11

ז זְכָר־נָא מִי־הוּא נָקִי אָבָד וְאֵיפֹה יְשָׁרִים נִכְחָדוּ׃
ח כַּאֲשֶׁר רָאִיתִי חֹרְשֵׁי אָוֶן וְזֹרְעֵי עָמָל יִקְצְרֻהוּ׃
ט מִנִּשְׁמַת אֱלוֹהַּ יֹאבֵדוּ וּמֵרֽוּחַ אַפּוֹ יִכְלוּ׃
י שַׁאֲגַת אַרְיֵה וְקוֹל שָׁחַל וְשִׁנֵּי כְפִירִים נִתָּעוּ׃
יא לַיִשׁ אֹבֵד מִבְּלִי טָרֶף וּבְנֵי לָבִיא יִתְפָּרָדוּ׃

(KJV) Remember, I pray thee, whoever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed. The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken. The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion’s whelps are scattered abroad.

(NKJV) “Remember now, who ever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright ever cut off? Even as I have seen, Those who plow iniquity And sow trouble reap the same. By the blast of God they perish, And by the breath of His anger they are consumed. The roaring of the lion, The voice of the fierce lion, And the teeth of the young lions are broken. The old lion perishes for lack of prey, And the stout lion’s cubs are scattered.

This section is the core of Eliphaz’s argument: the doctrine of retribution. He poses the rhetorical question, “Remember now, who ever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright ever cut off?” He then asserts, “Even as I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.” Eliphaz claims that his observations confirm a direct correlation between sin and suffering. He uses the metaphor of lions losing their prey to illustrate the fate of the wicked. This is a simplistic and ultimately inaccurate view of divine justice. It implies that God is a cosmic accountant, meticulously balancing rewards and punishments. We know from the Gospels that this is *not* the way God works.

Biblical Connection: The Psalms, particularly Psalm 73, grapple with the apparent prosperity of the wicked. David acknowledges the temptation to question God’s justice when he sees the wicked flourishing. This contrasts sharply with Eliphaz’s simplistic view. Furthermore, the deuterocanonical book of Wisdom highlights the virtue of righteous individuals who are persecuted and suffer unjustly.

Spiritual Application: Resist the urge to make simplistic judgments about the causes of suffering. Recognize that God’s ways are often mysterious and beyond human comprehension. Focus on offering compassion and support, rather than attempting to explain the inexplicable.

Job 4:12-21

יב וְאֵלַי דָּבָר יְגֻנָּב וַתִּקַּח אָזְנִי שֶׁמֶץ מֶנְהוּ׃
יג בִּשְׂעִפִּים מֵחֶזְיֹנוֹת לָיְלָה בִּנְפֹל תַּרְדֵּמָה עַל־אָנָשִׁים׃
יד פַּחַד קְרָאַנִי וּרְעָדָה וְרֹב עַצְמוֹתַי הִפְחִיד׃
טו וְרוּחַ עַל־פָּנַי יַחֲלֹף תְּסַמֵּר שְׂעַר בְּשָׂרִי׃
טז יַעֲמֹד וְלֹא־אַכִּיר מַרְאֵהוּ תְּמוּנָה לְנֶגֶד עֵינַי דְּמָמָה וָקוֹל אֶשְׁמָע׃
יז הַאֱנוֹשׁ מֵאֱלוֹהַּ יִצְדָּק אִם־מֵעֹשֵׂהוּ יִטְהַר גָּבֶר׃
יח הֵן בַּעֲבָדָיו לֹא יַאֲמִין וּבְמַלְאָכָיו יָשִׂים תָּהְלָה׃
יט אַף שֹׁכְנֵי בָתֵּי־חֹמֶר אֲשֶׁר בֶּעָפָר יְסוֹדָם יְדַכְּאוּם לִפְנֵי־עָשׁ׃
כ מִבֹּקֶר לָעֶרֶב יֻכָּתּוּ בִּלְאִי נֶצַח יֹאבֵדוּ׃
כא הֲלֹא נִסַּע יִתְרָם בָּם יָמוּתוּ וְלֹא בְחָכְמָה׃

(KJV) Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof. In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men, Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up: It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying, Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker? Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly: How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth? From morning to evening they are destroyed: they perish for ever without any regarding it. Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.

(NKJV) “Now a word was secretly brought to me, And my ear received a whisper of it. In disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night, When deep sleep falls on men, Fear came upon me, and trembling, Which made all my bones shake. Then a spirit passed before my face; The hair on my body stood up. It stood still, But I could not discern its appearance; A form was before my eyes; There was silence; Then I heard a voice saying, ‘Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker? If He puts no trust in His servants, If He charges His angels with error, How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before a moth? From morning till evening they are broken in pieces; Without anyone regarding it, they perish forever. Does not their own excellence go away? They die, even without wisdom.’

Eliphaz attempts to bolster his argument with a personal “revelation.” He describes a terrifying vision in the night, where he heard a voice questioning the righteousness of mortal man compared to God. This vision is intended to emphasize the vast gulf between divine perfection and human imperfection. Eliphaz uses this vision to reinforce his claim that no human is truly innocent and therefore deserving of God’s favor. However, the validity of this vision is questionable. It could be a product of his own anxiety and preconceived notions. Furthermore, the message itself is problematic. It suggests that God is inherently distrustful and punitive, a distorted image of the loving and merciful God revealed in Christ. This is a subtle move to legitimize his point of view, using what seems like divine sanction.

Patristic Insight: St. Anthony the Great, in his *Letters*, cautioned against relying solely on personal visions without discerning their source: “Δοκιμάζετε τὰ πνεύματα εἰ ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστιν” (Dokimazete ta pneumata ei ek tou Theou estin) – “Test the spirits, whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1). Eliphaz fails to subject his vision to critical discernment, accepting it as unquestionable truth. We must always be sure to “test the spirits”, or we risk being mislead.

Spiritual Application: Be cautious about accepting any spiritual experience at face value. Discernment is essential. Compare the message to Scripture, tradition, and the teachings of the Church. Does it promote love, humility, and reconciliation, or does it foster fear, judgment, and division?

💡 Key Reflections on Job 4

Job 4 presents several important themes for reflection:

• The Limitations of Human Wisdom: Eliphaz’s confident pronouncements highlight the inadequacy of human reasoning in the face of divine mystery. We cannot always understand God’s ways.
• The Danger of Simplistic Theology: The doctrine of retribution, while seemingly logical, fails to account for the complexities of human suffering and the sovereignty of God.
• The Importance of Compassionate Listening: Eliphaz’s attempts to comfort Job fall flat because he prioritizes his own theological framework over Job’s emotional needs.
• The Need for Discernment: We must carefully evaluate spiritual experiences and teachings, ensuring that they align with Scripture and the teachings of the Church.
• The Mystery of Suffering: Suffering is an intrinsic part of the human condition, and it does not always have a clear or immediate explanation. Sometimes, it is simply a trial to be endured with faith and perseverance.
• The Loving Nature of God: We must remember that God is not a capricious or punitive deity, but a loving Father who desires our well-being. Even in the midst of suffering, His love endures.

❓ FAQ About Job 4

Q: Is Eliphaz’s argument completely wrong?

A: While Eliphaz’s specific application to Job is flawed, the principle that sin has consequences is generally true (Galatians 6:7). However, it is crucial to avoid simplistic equations between sin and suffering, as this can lead to judgment and a misunderstanding of God’s grace.

Q: How should we interpret Eliphaz’s vision?

A: It’s vital to assess Eliphaz’s vision critically, comparing it to scripture and the teachings of the Church. It’s possible that his vision is a distorted reflection of his own preconceived notions, rather than a genuine revelation from God. Discernment is key. We should also consider other factors, like the historical and cultural context of the story.

Q: What is the main lesson of Job 4 for Christians today?

A: Job 4 teaches us humility in the face of suffering. We should avoid making simplistic judgments about the causes of pain and focus on offering compassion and support. Remember, God’s ways are often mysterious, and our understanding is limited.

Q: Why does God allow innocent people to suffer?

A: The Book of Job, and particularly Job 4, wrestles with this very question. There is no easy answer, but the book ultimately affirms God’s sovereignty and trustworthiness, even when His ways are beyond our comprehension. Suffering can be a test of faith, a catalyst for spiritual growth, or a means of participating in Christ’s own suffering (Philippians 3:10). God sometimes uses suffering as an opportunity to refine our faith and draw us closer to Himself.

🕊️ Conclusion

Job 4 presents us with a challenge: to move beyond simplistic explanations of suffering and embrace the mystery of God’s providence. Eliphaz’s arguments, though well-intentioned, ultimately fail to provide true comfort because they are rooted in a flawed understanding of divine justice. The book of Job will force us to address the complex topic of suffering. We, like Job’s friends, may be tempted to offer easy answers, but true wisdom lies in recognizing the limits of our knowledge and the depth of God’s love. As Coptic Orthodox Christians, we are called to emulate Christ, who Himself suffered unjustly, and to offer compassion and support to those who are in pain, even when we cannot fully understand their struggles. The question remains: **Do the innocent truly not suffer?** The Book of Job implores us to examine this assumption and embrace the nuanced reality of God’s mysterious ways.

Tags

Job, Eliphaz, Suffering, Doctrine of Retribution, Coptic Orthodox Theology, Patristic Insights, Biblical Commentary, Wisdom Literature, Faith, Trials

Meta Description

Explore Job 4 verse-by-verse: A Coptic Orthodox commentary challenging Eliphaz’s doctrine of retribution. Do the innocent truly not suffer? Dive into faith & suffering.