151 Then Eliphaz the Temanite responded e , 2 "Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge And fill himself with the east wind ? 3 "Should he argue with useless talk , Or with words which are not profitable ? 4 "Indeed , you do away with reverence And hinder meditation before God . 5 "For your guilt teaches your mouth , And you choose the language of the crafty . 6 "Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; And your own lips testify against you. 7 "Were you the first man to be born , Or were you brought forth before the hills ? 8 "Do you hear the secret counsel of God , And limit wisdom to yourself? 9 " What do you know that we do not know ? What do you understand that we do not? 10 "Both the gray-haired and the aged are among us, Older e than your father . 11 "Are the consolations of God too small for you, Even the word spoken gently with you? 12 "Why does your heart carry you away? And why do your eyes flash , 13 That you should turn your spirit against God And allow such words to go out of your mouth ? 14 "What is man , that he should be pure , Or he who is born of a woman , that he should be righteous ? 15 "Behold , He puts no trust in His holy ones , And the heavens are not pure in His sight ; 16 How much e less one who is detestable and corrupt , Man , who drinks iniquity like water !
17 "I will tell you, listen to me; And what I have seen I will also declare ; 18 What wise men have told , And have not concealed from their fathers , 19 To whom alone the land was given , And no alien passed among them. 20 "The wicked man writhes in pain all his days , And numbered are the years stored up for the ruthless . 21 "Sounds of terror are in his ears ; While at peace the destroyer comes upon him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 15:1-21
Commentary on Job 15:1-16
(Read Job 15:1-16)
Eliphaz begins a second attack upon Job, instead of being softened by his complaints. He unjustly charges Job with casting off the fear of God, and all regard to him, and restraining prayer. See in what religion is summed up, fearing God, and praying to him; the former the most needful principle, the latter the most needful practice. Eliphaz charges Job with self-conceit. He charges him with contempt of the counsels and comforts given him by his friends. We are apt to think that which we ourselves say is important, when others, with reason, think little of it. He charges him with opposition to God. Eliphaz ought not to have put harsh constructions upon the words of one well known for piety, and now in temptation. It is plain that these disputants were deeply convinced of the doctrine of original sin, and the total depravity of human nature. Shall we not admire the patience of God in bearing with us? and still more his love to us in the redemption of Christ Jesus his beloved Son?
Commentary on Job 15:17-35
(Read Job 15:17-35)
Eliphaz maintains that the wicked are certainly miserable: whence he would infer, that the miserable are certainly wicked, and therefore Job was so. But because many of God's people have prospered in this world, it does not therefore follow that those who are crossed and made poor, as Job, are not God's people. Eliphaz shows also that wicked people, particularly oppressors, are subject to continual terror, live very uncomfortably, and perish very miserably. Will the prosperity of presumptuous sinners end miserably as here described? Then let the mischiefs which befal others, be our warnings. Though no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous, nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness to them that are exercised thereby. No calamity, no trouble, however heavy, however severe, can rob a follower of the Lord of his favour. What shall separate him from the love of Christ?