Job 22
Job 22 is part of “Third Cycle of Dialogue” (22–31) in the outline of Job.
Job 22 summary
Eliphaz here leads on a third attack upon poor Job, in which Bildad followed him, but Zophar drew back, and quitted the field. It was one of the unhappinesses of Job, as it is of many an honest man, to be misunderstood by his friends. He had spoken of the prosperity of wicked men in this world as a mystery of Providence, but they took it for a reflection upon Providence, as countenancing their wickedness; and they reproached him accordingly. In this chapter, I.
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Eliphaz here leads on a third attack upon poor Job, in which Bildad followed him, but Zophar drew back, and quitted the field. It was one of the unhappinesses of Job, as it is of many an honest man, to be misunderstood by his friends. He had spoken of the prosperity of wicked men in this world as a mystery of Providence, but they took it for a reflection upon Providence, as countenancing their wickedness; and they reproached him accordingly. In this chapter, I. Eliphaz checks him for his complaints of God, and of his dealings with him, as if he thought God had done him wrong (Job 22:2-4). II. He charges him with many high crimes and misdemeanours, for which he supposes God was now punishing him. 1. Oppression and injustice (Job 22:5-11). 2. Atheism and infidelity (Job 22:12-14). III. He compares his case to that of the old world (Job 22:15-20). IV. He gives him very good counsel, assuring him that, if he would take it, God would return in mercy to him and he should return to his former prosperity (Job 22:21-30).
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Job 22 (ASV)
American Standard Version (public domain)
Eliphaz's Third Speech: Can a Man Be of Use to God?
1Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said, 2Can a man be profitable unto God? Surely he that is wise is profitable unto himself. 3Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? Or is it gain [to him], that thou makest thy ways perfect? 4Is it for thy fear [of him] that he reproveth thee, That he entereth with thee into judgment? 5Is not thy wickedness great? Neither is there any end to thine iniquities. 6For thou hast taken pledges of thy brother for nought, And stripped the naked of their clothing. 7Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, And thou hast withholden bread from the hungry. 8But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; And the honorable man, he dwelt in it. 9Thou hast sent widows away empty, And the arms of the fatherless have been broken. 10Therefore snares are round about thee, And sudden fear troubleth thee, 11Or darkness, so that thou canst not see, And abundance of waters cover thee. 12Is not God in the height of heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are! 13And thou sayest, What doth God know? Can he judge through the thick darkness? 14Thick clouds are a covering to him, so that he seeth not; And he walketh on the vault of heaven. 15Wilt thou keep the old way Which wicked men have trodden? 16Who were snatched away before their time, Whose foundation was poured out as a stream, 17Who said unto God, Depart from us; And, What can the Almighty do for us? 18Yet he filled their houses with good things: But the counsel of the wicked is far from me. 19The righteous see it, and are glad; And the innocent laugh them to scorn, 20[Saying], Surely they that did rise up against us are cut off, And the remnant of them the fire hath consumed. 21Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: Thereby good shall come unto thee. 22Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, And lay up his words in thy heart. 23If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, If thou put away unrighteousness far from thy tents. 24And lay thou [thy] treasure in the dust, And [the gold of] Ophir among the stones of the brooks; 25And the Almighty will be thy treasure, And precious silver unto thee. 26For then shalt thou delight thyself in the Almighty, And shalt lift up thy face unto God. 27Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he will hear thee; And thou shalt pay thy vows. 28Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee; And light shall shine upon thy ways. 29When they cast [thee] down, thou shalt say, [There is] lifting up; And the humble person he will save. 30He will deliver [even] him that is not innocent: Yea, he shall be delivered through the cleanness of thy hands.