Job 22:1–25:6 Third Cycle. The consistent pattern of the first two cycles unravels in this last dialogue. Eliphaz describes Job’s life as a constant stream of wicked activity (ch. 22). Job’s reply (chs. 23–24) strongly implies that the divine power that has afflicted him is impulsive and destructive. Bildad offers the beginning of a reply (ch. 25) before Job interrupts with a further assertion of the mystery of divine power (ch. 26; see next section). Zophar does not speak in this cycle. Job and his friends disagree more strongly now than when they started this discussion.
Job 22:1–30 In his final speech, Eliphaz once more calls Job to repent.
Job 22:2–4 Eliphaz argues that there could be no purpose for suffering other than to indicate judgment and a need to repent (v. 4).
Job 22:5–11 Eliphaz assumes that Job’s circumstances reveal significant evil in his life. He describes the likely ways that Job has sinned.
Job 22:9 Eliphaz assumes that Job has mistreated widows and the fatherless. He speaks in terms similar to the warnings in the law (see Ex. 22:22; Deut. 24:17) and the prophets (see Isa. 1:17; Jer. 22:3; Ezek. 22:7) about such behavior.
Job 22:13 you say, . . . Can he judge through the deep darkness? Eliphaz accuses Job of saying that God is so far above humans that he is unable to know about their lives.
Job 22:16–18 Within these verses, Eliphaz essentially quotes Job’s words from 21:14–16. However, while Job was arguing that the wicked prosper in spite of their rebellion against God, Eliphaz says that the prosperity of the wicked is only temporary, and they are snatched away before their time. Likewise, while Job said, “the counsel of the wicked is far from me” (21:16) to distance himself from their wicked practices, Eliphaz uses the same words, the counsel of the wicked (22:18), to describe Job’s position.
Job 22:21 When he urges Job to “Agree with God,” Eliphaz assumes that his own interpretation of Job’s circumstances matches God’s viewpoint.
Job 22:30 Eliphaz suggests that, if Job would repent of his supposed sin, he would be able to intercede even for one who is not innocent. Eliphaz does not realize that he himself stands in need of the very intercession he describes. In fact, forgiveness will later be granted to Eliphaz through Job’s intercession on his behalf (see 42:7–9).
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The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry.
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