Job 22

Job 22 is part of Eliphaz's third speech to Job. In this chapter, Eliphaz accuses Job of being unrighteous and sinful, which he believes is the reason for Job’s suffering. Eliphaz also advises Job to repent and seek God, promising restoration if Job turns away from his perceived wickedness. This chapter emphasizes the ongoing misunderstanding between Job and his friends, as Eliphaz wrongly assumes Job’s suffering must be due to sin.

Job 22:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:
2 "Can a man be profitable to God, though he who is wise may be profitable to himself?
3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that you are righteous, or is it gain to Him that you make your ways blameless?
4 Is it because of your fear of Him that He corrects you, and enters into judgment with you?
5 Is not your wickedness great, and your iniquity without end?"

Eliphaz begins by questioning whether human righteousness benefits God in any way, implying that Job’s righteousness would not necessarily be meaningful to God. He insinuates that God is punishing Job, not because of Job’s righteousness or fear of God, but because of some hidden sin. Eliphaz’s assumptions reflect his misunderstanding of Job’s situation, as he believes suffering must be tied to guilt and wickedness.

Job 22:6-9 (NKJV)
6 For you have taken pledges from your brother for no reason, and stripped the naked of their clothing.
7 You have not given the weary water to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry.
8 But the mighty man possessed the land, and the honorable man dwelt in it.
9 You have sent widows away empty, and the strength of the fatherless was crushed.

Eliphaz accuses Job of various sins, including taking advantage of the poor, withholding basic necessities from those in need, and oppressing the weak. These are serious accusations that portray Job as a heartless and unjust man. However, these accusations are unfounded, as Job had lived righteously, caring for the poor and defending the weak, contrary to what Eliphaz suggests.

Job 22:10-11 (NKJV)
10 Therefore snares are all around you, and sudden fear troubles you,
11 Or darkness so that you cannot see, and an abundance of water covers you.

Eliphaz attributes Job’s suffering to his alleged sins. He believes that the calamities surrounding Job—fear, darkness, and overwhelming floods—are divine judgments for his wrongdoings. Eliphaz reinforces his belief that suffering is always a direct result of sin, failing to grasp the true nature of Job’s ordeal.

Job 22:12-14 (NKJV)
12 Is not God in the height of heaven? And see the highest stars, how lofty they are!
13 And you say, ‘What does God know? Can He judge through the deep darkness?
14 Thick clouds cover Him, so that He cannot see, and He walks above the circle of heaven.’

Eliphaz criticizes Job’s supposed attitude toward God, implying that Job thinks God is distant and unable to see his actions. Eliphaz suggests that Job might believe God is too far removed from human affairs to judge them accurately, but he rebukes this idea by affirming that God is always aware of what happens, even from the heavens.

Job 22:15-18 (NKJV)
15 Will you keep to the old way which wicked men have trod,
16 Who were cut down before their time, whose foundations were swept away by a flood?
17 They said to God, ‘Depart from us! What can the Almighty do to them?’
18 Yet He filled their houses with good things; but the counsel of the wicked is far from me."

Eliphaz warns Job not to follow the path of the wicked, recounting how wicked men in the past were destroyed, even though they seemed to prosper for a time. These men rejected God’s authority, yet God eventually swept them away in judgment. Eliphaz implies that Job may be following this same dangerous path by questioning God’s justice, urging him to abandon such a course.

Job 22:19-20 (NKJV)
19 "The righteous see it and are glad, and the innocent laugh at them:
20 ‘Surely our adversaries are cut down, and the fire consumes their remnant.’"

Eliphaz argues that the righteous rejoice when the wicked are punished, finding satisfaction in seeing justice done. He emphasizes that wickedness ultimately leads to destruction, reinforcing his belief that Job’s suffering is deserved. He portrays Job as an enemy of God whose fate will be the same as the wicked.

Job 22:21-23 (NKJV)
21 "Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you.
22 Receive, please, instruction from His mouth, and lay up His words in your heart.
23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up; you will remove iniquity far from your tents."

Eliphaz encourages Job to turn back to God, promising peace and restoration if Job repents. He suggests that Job needs to humble himself, listen to God’s instruction, and rid himself of sin. Eliphaz believes that Job’s restoration and prosperity depend on his repentance, assuming that Job’s suffering is due to unconfessed sin.

Job 22:24-25 (NKJV)
24 Then you will lay your gold in the dust, and the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks.
25 Yes, the Almighty will be your gold and your precious silver."

Eliphaz advises Job to prioritize God over wealth, suggesting that if Job forsakes material possessions and seeks God, the Almighty will become his treasure. Eliphaz assures Job that God can provide far greater riches than gold or silver, reinforcing the idea that Job’s focus should be on spiritual restoration rather than material gain.

Job 22:26-27 (NKJV)
26 For then you will have your delight in the Almighty, and lift up your face to God.
27 You will make your prayer to Him, He will hear you, and you will pay your vows."

Eliphaz promises that if Job repents, he will once again find joy in God and enjoy a restored relationship with Him. Job will be able to pray and know that God hears him, with the assurance that his prayers will be answered. This reflects Eliphaz’s belief that a righteous person’s relationship with God is one of close communion and blessing.

Job 22:28-30 (NKJV)
28 You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; so light will shine on your ways.
29 When they cast you down, and you say, ‘Exaltation will come!’ Then He will save the humble person.
30 He will even deliver one who is not innocent; yes, he will be delivered by the purity of your hands."

Eliphaz concludes by offering hope to Job, suggesting that if Job repents, he will have the authority to declare things and see them happen. God will lift him up from his lowly state and shine His light on Job’s path. Even those who are guilty will benefit from Job’s righteousness, further motivating Job to repent and be restored to favor.