Job 5:3 “I myself have seen a fool taking root, but suddenly his house was cursed.”
Eliphaz’s observations and advice come from deep personal conviction that he understands the ways of God and, therefore, understands why Job is being afflicted as he is. But he’s wrong. His well-meaning advice wounds Job further. According to commentary, “Eliphaz preaches a God who can be figured out.” As much as I love understanding the why of a situation, I know that that is not how God operates. He’s not concerned with being sure we understand the why. His objective is so much bigger.
Job 5:6 “For hardship does not spring from the soil, nor trouble sprout from the ground.”
I have been pondering putting the following on my board at school: We don’t know what we don’t know. Embrace an attitude of “What if…” What if I’m wrong? What if I don’t have all the information? What if there is another side to the story of which I’m unaware? What if this situation isn’t what I think it is? This idea, to me, is at heart of the lesson in this chapter: God is God. His ways are not our ways. I may never understand the why, but that’s ok because I know that God loves me deeply. I can trust Him, even when I don’t understand.
Job 5:8 “But if I were you, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before Him.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that I can trust You even when I don’t understand. And even though Your ways are beyond my comprehension, help me as I study Your word to know You just a little bit better each day. Draw me closer. Amen.
Job 5:27 “We have examined this, and it is true. So hear it and apply it to yourself.”
Have a blessed day