“…my ears caught a whisper…” Job 4:12b

Being quite familiar with Job’s piety, Eliphaz asserted that Job’s blameless ways should be the anchor of hope for his future (v.4b). Then Eliphaz’s tone took an about-face. He described his ‘life observation’ of evil people reaping their just deserts, implying that Job was only getting what he deserved (vv. 8 – 11). Eliphaz posed the assumption after first confronting Job with this question:

“Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed?” (v.7)

Eliphaz transparently revealed his world view: he believed good things happen to good people, and bad things happen to bad people. His unsolicited counsel was asking Job to consider himself or his children having done something evil. Eliphaz then described a disquieting dream when his ears heard a whisper from a spirit. The spirit seemed to speak wisdom, asking:

“Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker?” (v.17)

The spirit continued with the following scenario:

“If God places no trust in His servants, if He charges His angels with error, how much more those who live in houses of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who are crushed more readily than a moth! Between dawn and dusk, they are broken to pieces; unnoticed, they perish forever. Are not the cords of their tent pulled up, so that they die without wisdom?” (vv. 19 – 20)

Eliphaz’s dream reflected his familiarity of spiritual oral history – including the fallen angels. Eliphaz challenged Job once again, asking, “Call if you will, but who will answer you?” (v.5:1) Such a question suggests one being so compromised as to be unredeemable. Eliphaz seemed to already have the jury’s verdict on Job’s spiritual condition.

Have you ever come across someone who could mix just enough knowledge of the Bible with a distorted world view to make unfounded conclusions on a person or perspective? Such people are quick to push the buttons of others – arriving upon the scene with accusations to discredit and disqualify another. It happens in churches and communities across the globe. The Bible describes satan as having an accusing spirit – being the father of lies (read John 8:44, 1 Peter 5:8 and Revelation 12:10). In fact, that’s how the whole thing started: satan accusing God of surrounding Job in such a way as to never allow Job to be tested. Perhaps the spirit in Eliphaz’s dream may have been a visit from the accuser.

Eliphaz continued with his diatribe, which we will look into tomorrow, Lord willing. For now, suffice it to say that we are all fallen creatures loved with infinite, inconceivable love by The One Who knows us intimately.