221 Then Eliphaz the Temanite responded e , 2 "Can a vigorous man be of use to God , Or a wise man be useful to himself? 3 "Is there any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous , Or profit if you make your ways perfect ? 4 "Is it because of your reverence that He reproves you, That He enters into judgment against you?
5 "Is not your wickedness great , And your iniquities without end ? 6 "For you have taken pledges of your brothers without cause , And stripped men naked . 7 "To the weary you have given no water to drink , And from the hungry you have withheld bread . 8 "But the earth belongs to the mighty man , And the honorable e man dwells in it. 9 "You have sent widows away empty , And the strength of the orphans has been crushed . 10 "Therefore e snares surround you, And sudden dread terrifies you, 11 Or darkness , so that you cannot see , And an abundance of water covers you. 12 "Is not God in the height of heaven ? Look also at the distant stars , how high they are! 13 "You say , ' What does God know ? Can He judge through the thick darkness ? 14 ' Clouds are a hiding place for Him, so that He cannot see ; And He walks on the vault of heaven .'
15 "Will you keep to the ancient path Which wicked men have trod , 16 Who were snatched away before their time , Whose foundations were washed away by a river ? 17 "They said to God , 'Depart from us!' And 'What can the Almighty do to them?' 18 "Yet He filled their houses with good things; But the counsel of the wicked is far from me. 19 "The righteous see and are glad , And the innocent mock them, 20 Saying, 'Truly e our adversaries are cut off , And their abundance the fire has consumed .'
21 " Yield now and be at peace with Him; Thereby good will come to you. 22 "Please receive instruction from His mouth And establish His words in your heart . 23 "If you return to the Almighty , you will be restored ; If you remove unrighteousness far from your tent , 24 And place your gold in the dust , And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks , 25 Then the Almighty will be your gold And choice silver to you. 26 "For then you will delight in the Almighty And lift up your face to God . 27 "You will pray to Him, and He will hear you; And you will pay your vows . 28 "You will also decree a thing , and it will be established for you; And light will shine on your ways . 29 "When you are cast down , you will speak with confidence , And the humble e person e He will save . 30 "He will deliver one who is not innocent , And he will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 22:1-31
Commentary on Job 22:1-4
(Read Job 22:1-4)
Eliphaz considers that, because Job complained so much of his afflictions, he thought God was unjust in afflicting him; but Job was far from thinking so. What Eliphaz says, is unjustly applied to Job, but it is very true, that when God does us good it is not because he is indebted to us. Man's piety is no profit to God, no gain. The gains of religion to men are infinitely greater than the losses of it. God is a Sovereign, who gives no account of his conduct; but he is perfectly wise, just, faithful, good, and merciful. He approves the likeness of his own holiness, and delights in the fruits of his Spirit; he accepts the thankful services of the humble believer, while he rejects the proud claim of the self-confident.
Commentary on Job 22:5-14
(Read Job 22:5-14)
Eliphaz brought heavy charges against Job, without reason for his accusations, except that Job was visited as he supposed God always visited every wicked man. He charges him with oppression, and that he did harm with his wealth and power in the time of his prosperity.
Commentary on Job 22:15-20
(Read Job 22:15-20)
Eliphaz would have Job mark the old way that wicked men have trodden, and see what the end of their way was. It is good for us to mark it, that we may not walk therein. But if others are consumed, and we are not, instead of blaming them, and lifting up ourselves, as Eliphaz does here, we ought to be thankful to God, and take it for a warning.
Commentary on Job 22:21-30
(Read Job 22:21-30)
The answer of Eliphaz wrongly implied that Job had hitherto not known God, and that prosperity in this life would follow his sincere conversion. The counsel Eliphaz here gives is good, though, as to Job, it was built upon a false supposition that he was a stranger and enemy to God. Let us beware of slandering our brethren; and if it be our lot to suffer in this manner, let us remember how Job was treated; yea, how Jesus was reviled, that we may be patient. Let us examine whether there may not be some colour for the slander, and walk watchfully, so as to be clear of all appearances of evil.