I started reading the book of Job for my personal devotions. Job is one of those books of the Bible that everyone has heard about but few people actually read. After all, most of it consists of long, Shakespearean monologues, where various characters (including God) intone long passages of extemporaneous poetry. So, we tend to read the first couple of chapters then skip to the end. I know that I have. But, after reading A Sacred Sorrow by Michael Card, I decided that the time was right to head straight on through.
I decided, upon hitting the monologues, that I would take them one monologue at a time. That way I could work on understanding the speaker’s complete thought. So, yesterday, I read Eliphaz’s first monologue, where he accuses Job of being in some secret sin. As I was trucking along, a verse leaped out at me:
“Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.
For he wounds, but he binds up; he shatters, but his hands heal.
He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no evil shall touch you.
In famine he will redeem you from death, and in war from the power of the sword.
You shall be hidden from the lash of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes.
At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear the beasts of the earth.
For you shall be in league with the stones of the field, and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you.
You shall know that your tent is at peace, and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing.
You shall know also that your offspring shall be many, and your descendants as the grass of the earth.
You shall come to your grave in ripe old age, like a sheaf gathered up in its season.
Behold, this we have searched out; it is true. Hear, and know it for your good.” (Job 5:17-27, ESV)
The highlighted verse is Job 5:25, but I wanted to show it in its context.
So, read the passage. Is Eliphaz right? I believe that he is. God certainly does discipline his children, but He does also bind up. However, take a look at that highlighted verse, and remember to whom Eliphaz is speaking.
Job just buried his children.
How insensitive. How blundering. Where is the compassion for the suffering of Job? Where is the delicate understanding of the wounded soul? Where is the skill in binding up the wounded?
It is nowhere to be found. Eliphaz knows the textbook answer, but he has no idea how to minister to the broken. I was appalled. No wonder Job gets angry at Eliphaz.
I think that this book is starting to make sense.
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