“…I will explain to you…” Job 15:17a

Eliphaz (by the way, his name means, “my God is gold”) seems to have been the oldest of Job’s ‘counselors’. He referred to how the elders were on his side (v.10) and appealed to Job as a father would to his son – from a position of superior experience and knowledge. After his barrage of questions, Eliphaz then advised an exhausted Job with these words:

“Listen to me and I will explain to you; let me tell you what I have seen: what wise men have declared, hiding nothing received from their fathers (to whom alone the land was given when no alien passed among them)…” (vv. 17 – 19)

Of course, only an older, more experienced person could approach Job from such a vantage point – having received the teaching of wise men who held back none of their forefathers’ knowledge. In other words, of the three who came to ‘comfort’ Job, only Eliphaz could impart the combined experience of generations, along with their collective knowledge.

In his first response to Job, Eliphaz focused on the blessings known by a Godly man (read 5:17-26). His second opportunity to reply to Job was weighted with a perspective on the sufferings of the ungodly (vv. 17 – 26). To open the door for a teachable moment, Eliphaz reminded Job that he was about to impart ancient wisdom which was good enough for their forefathers. If Job rejected his words, he would be rejecting the insights passed-down to generations by oral tradition.

So, it seems Eliphaz must have caught himself (for his rhetoric was getting a bit out of hand in the first half of the chapter), and tried to de-escalate the conversation by a more paternal approach. Though most would appreciate a gentler approach, the damage had been done, and the words to come – even when filtered through fatherly advice – were to be just as harsh a judgment toward Job as the first address by Eliphaz.

Tradition can be a valuable teacher to be used as a guide in most life situations. Many, however, elevate tradition to the authority of axioms which can never be broken. This may have been the case in the life of Job’s friends, at the very least, in the life of Eliphaz.

What are we to learn from these few verses? We should use the value of tradition in maintaining family ties, social philanthropy and in our faith practice. However, tradition should never overshadow the relationship one may experience with God, Who seeks out those who would worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23). When an elder presumes to explain an issue to you, listen carefully to the words, and be sensitive to the spirit by which they are spoken. Are they spoken gently, without any hint of condescension? Or are they spoken softly with an air of superiority? Once you have received the explanation, ask God for direction in how you would receive the words.

Have a blessed day…