QT 30 Mar 2016, Job 4:1-8, Subtle inaccuracies can easily cloud our theology

Job 4:1–8 (RSV)

1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered:

2 “If one ventures a word with you, will you be offended?

Yet who can keep from speaking?

3 Behold, you have instructed many,

and you have strengthened the weak hands.

4 Your words have upheld him who was stumbling,

and you have made firm the feeble knees.

5 But now it has come to you, and you are impatient;

it touches you, and you are dismayed.

6 Is not your fear of God your confidence,

and the integrity of your ways your hope?

7 “Think now, who that was innocent ever perished?

Or where were the upright cut off?

8 As I have seen, those who plow iniquity

and sow trouble reap the same.

NOTE: Job's friend starts out well and also gives us insight into the other "issue" in Job's life--he was extremely smart and wise, and could always be counted on to help and instruct others.  Secondly, we get some insight into Job from an outside observer. Even from the very beginning, Job was impatient and dismayed, which is very different from the first response of stoicism. Job is not reprimanded for his emotions, although God does challenge his "impudence" later in the book ("Who is this …?"). The problem we see starts with a very subtle theological view in verse 6. It is true, to a degree. The problem is that the integrity of our ways is not our real hope, God is our hope. The fear of God is our confidence, but not because we fear God, but because we exalt God and trust God. Verses 7 and 8 are also true … to a degree. We do see the innocent punished, the upright cut off. It may have not been to the same degree as today due to a diminished effect of sin, but the health and wealth gospel does not work then and does not work today. As a principle, there is great wisdom in living right, but how we live is not the guarantor of our life's results.