Daily Devotional | Eliphaz: Sin Caused Your Suffering

Years ago, when I was in seminary, I misplaced one of my Bibles. One of my classmates picked it up. Approximately a week later, he returned it to me along with a statement: “You obviously have not been having quiet time with the Lord.” It must not have occurred to him that I had more than one Bible. I thought, “With friends like you, who needs enemies?”

Job must have had similar thoughts as his friends began to respond to his plight. While they were silent (2:13), they were probably a comfort to Job (2:11). But when they began to speak, their words were sharp as razors. The first to respond was Eliphaz. He appears to have been the leader of the three friends (42:7).

Eliphaz complimented Job for giving wise instruction to others, strengthening the weak and supporting the unstable (vv. 3–4). At least, this was the public face of Job. However, because of Eliphaz’s extreme view of retribution, he was convinced that Job was leading a double life. Eliphaz believed that a person “only” reaps what he sows. Therefore, Job must have secretly sowed evil.

The good news from Eliphaz’s perspective was that Job could be blessed by God. His tragedy was God’s reproof (5:17). If Job turned to God (5:8) and away from evil (5:12–13), advised Eliphaz, then Job could once again experience God’s blessing (5:17).

Galatians 6:7 is clear: “Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” However, tragedy is not always the result of our own sinful behavior. Jesus Christ, who had no sin was tragically crucified for our sins. We may suffer for sin, but it is not always our own personal sin. As believers, we should never despise God’s discipline, but tragedy isn’t necessarily God’s discipline.

Go Deeper

What did Job’s friends fail to understand? Have you ever been falsely accused of something? How did you respond?

Pray with Us: Jesus, Savior, You brought the Kingdom of Light into the shadows of our lives. And You walked through the shadows of our world as well. Kindle great hope in our hearts as we wait for You to come in power and glory to make all things new.

BY Eric W. Moore

Eric Moore is Professor and Chair of the Applied Theology Field at Moody Theological Seminary. Eric is graduate of Michigan State University, Dallas Theological Seminary, the University of Michigan, and Western Seminary. He is the author of Pastoring the Small Church and a contributor to the One Volume Seminary (Moody Publishers). He has pastored Tree of Life Bible Fellowship church for over two decades. Eric and his wife, Marilyn, live in southeast Michigan and have three children.