Job
Summary
Job Chapter 22 is Eliphaz the Temanite’s third and final speech. He becomes even more direct in his accusations, suggesting that Job's suffering must be the result of great wickedness. Eliphaz lists specific sins: such as stripping the poor of their clothing and refusing water to the thirsty: despite having no evidence of these acts. He urges Job to "acquaint himself with God" and be at peace, promising that if he returns to the Almighty and puts away iniquity, he will be "built up" and have "plenty of silver." This speech represents the height of the friends' assumption that outward calamity is a definitive proof of inward guilt.
Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
"Can a man be of any use to God? Can even a wise man be of any use to him?"
"Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous? Does he gain anything if your ways are blameless?"
"Is it for your piety that he rebukes you and brings you into judgement?"
"Is not your wickedness great? Are your sins not endless?"
"You demanded security from your brothers for no reason; you stripped the poorly clad of their clothing."
"You gave no water to the weary and you withheld food from the hungry,"
"though you were a powerful man, owning land, an honoured man, living on it."
"And you sent widows away empty-handed and broke the strength of the fatherless."
"That is why snares are all around you, why sudden peril terrifies you,"
"why it is so dark you cannot see, and why a flood of water covers you."
"Is not God in the heights of heaven? And look how high the highest stars are!"
"Yet you say, 'What does God know? Does he judge through such thick darkness?"
"'Thick clouds veil him, so he does not see us as he goes about the circuit of the heavens.'"
"Will you keep to the old path that evil men have trod?"
"They were carried off before their time, their foundations washed away by a flood."
"They said to God, 'Leave us alone! What can the Almighty do to us?'"
"Yet it was he who filled their houses with good things, so I stand aloof from the counsel of the wicked."
"The righteous see their ruin and rejoice; the innocent mock them, saying,"
"'Surely our enemies are destroyed, and fire devours their wealth.'"
"Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you."
"Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart."
"If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored: If you remove wickedness far from your tent,"
"if you lay your gold in the dust and your treasure among the rocks of the ravines,"
"then the Almighty will be your gold, the choicest silver for you."
"Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God."
"You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will fulfil your vows."
"What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways."
"When people are brought low and you say, 'Lift them up!' then he will save the downcast."
"He will deliver even one who is not innocent, who will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands."