Eliphaz makes a lot of what we might be inclined on the
surface to call accurate assertions about God and how He seemingly relates to
us. It's just that however, these do not paint the full picture; there are many
unknown clauses - such as what was happening to Job. Therefore, his assertions
are inaccurate. Everyone was about to learn something new. What a privilege
that Job, his wife and his friends were the ones whom God chose to reveal this
additional light to! It will totally change how they viewed things. Suffering
isn't always retributive. Hence, make no assumptions about why things happen to
people.
It's clear that the sensitivity with which Eliphaz started,
with all his good intentions, has now waned, as he now feels that he needs to
defend the "truth." One thing about truth is that because of its
nature to cut deep, and radically upset the status-quo, attempts at
"defending" it usually result in defenders hurting the
"offenders." In this case it happens with Eliphaz and Job.
Incidentally, it happened with Saul and the early Christians, and later during
the Dark Ages. Of course, not to be outdone is the scene in Gethsemane where
Peter, in defence of Christ the Truth, cuts off Malchus' ear. How often today do
we tend to not just "cut off the ears," of those we should reach, so
they are no longer interested in hearing the Word of God. Thank God Job knew
better than to give up on God, notwithstanding his friends.
Mind you, it is possible that this heated discussion, though
seemingly intensifying Job's suffering, could have taken his mind off his
immediate physical suffering - thus engaging him in a major lesson on the true
nature of God and of the Great Controversy.
However we may explain the occurrences here recorded, one
thing is clear: Truth doesn't need to be defended; it should rather be our
defence. Accordingly, patience and sensitivity, not arrogance and condescension
should always be shown, as we seek to share its precious treasures.
This reading is based on Job 5. To read and/or listen to this passage and
read other related blogs, please click here.
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