Read Job 15:17-35
Eliphaz continues his response and seems very focused on what is wicked, or who is wicked. This speech is obsessed with those people who are far away from God. I wonder if Eliphaz thought that’s where Job had drifted. Job had to be far from God to explain everything. People still today blame God for their circumstances.
From the description, nobody in their right mind would want to be wicked, missing out on all the benefits of God. But as I read the “type,” I realized I know a lot of people that would fall into the “wicked” category according to Eliphaz. Did you picture a few in your mind, too?
Job had to be wicked, unless he’s a victim of chance. Eliphaz doesn’t understand what is happening, and he doesn’t seem to be taking a step back to try and understand, align with Job instead of assuming the worst.
I feel like I’ve witnessed some of these things happening around us today. For instance, “For they shake their fists at God, defying the Almighty.” There are protests going on around the world that question God or the Biblical world view.
Many of the “hot button” issues are in that defying God category. I can’t in good conscience be a Bible devotional writer and not talk about the authority and validity of Scripture. But I defer to apologetics who have it figured out much better than I.
Did Eliphaz mean to point fingers at Job when he said this about the wicked? “Their riches will not last, and their wealth will not endure. Their possessions will no longer spread across the horizon.” Since this is what had happened to Job, he must be wicked. Job’s riches were gone. Eliphaz’s doom message was for wealthy people far from God.
For just a split second, I thought Eliphaz may be feeling a bit remorseful. What he said was almost like a prayer for the wicked, “Let them no longer fool themselves by trusting in empty riches, for emptiness will be their only reward.” Eliphaz wasn’t far off base at all with that thought. Emptiness doesn’t sound like much of a reward at all.
What the LORD desires for us is to have our final reward with him one day. Is that what James refers to in James 1:12, “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” That would be a great message for Job to hear about now. The temptation here from Satan is for Job to abandon God. Job has remained faithful.
One fantastic reward we have as believers is that Jesus brings salvation to the world. Jesus says in Revelation 22:12-13, “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” How does it make you feel to know that Jesus is coming soon. Soon means soon.
Let’s pray. Lord, thank you for your word today. Thank you that we can come before you just as we are. You love us no matter what. My heart cries out for those people caught up in the lies and deceptions of this world. Innocent people are being corrupted and losing sight of your truth. May I be bold in proclaiming your love and forgiveness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
