His name was Eliphaz, one of Job’s “friends” or “comforters.” They are called by both names.

This sounds “good” at first. “Now when Job’s three FRIENDS heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.” Job 2:11

But eventually Job labels them: “Miserable COMFORTERS are ye all.” Job 16:2

Eliphaz is certain that Job is suffering his hardships because of sin in Job’s life. Some untold but major iniquity. And that God is “punishing” Job because of that wickedness!

He says: “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.” Job 5:17, which is partly quoted later in the Bible in Psalm 94:12. And again in Proverbs 3:11-12 and Hebrews 12:5. And finally in James 5:11. And maybe Jesus in Revelation 3:19 has the sentence in Mind.

Wow!

So clearly, the statement is true.

Yet Eliphaz here (in reference to Job) is misapplying the whole concept!

Job had not sinned, nothing major anyway!

He was not being chastened by God for any blatant iniquity in his life!

Eliphaz almost becomes here a “high and mighty” Pharisee! A spiritual “know-it-all!” As if “one size fits all” in God’s dealing with mankind!

Listen to the man’s (proud) attitude.

Eliphaz to Job: “Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.” Job 5:27

Hear the hubris? “Job, this is for your own good!”

“I have searched this whole thing, all your troubles. Hear me, Job. You have despised God’s Hand of correction … because of your ungodly lifestyle!”

Wrong, wrong, wrong, Eliphaz.

Job chapter 3 (where Job indeed “cursed” the day of his birth and the night of his conception) was, in Eliphaz’s estimation, Job “despising” God’s dealings, God’s whippings!

Talk about “misunderstanding!”

How do I know Eliphaz was wrong?

God (later in the Book) says so!

“And it was so … the LORD said to ELIPHAZ the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: FOR YE HAVE NOT SPOKEN OF ME THE THING THAT IS RIGHT, as my servant Job hath.” Job 42:7, precious!

Wow!

Be careful going around telling everyone that YOU have all the answers. And that they had better listen to YOU, “for their own good!”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Paul in Ephesians 6:1 teaches us to correct each other “in the spirit of meekness.” Something Eliphaz certainly did not do!