Job 5:1-5

God Is Just

1 "Call now, is there anyone who will answer you? And to which of the 1holy ones will you turn?
2 "For 2anger slays the foolish man, And jealousy kills the simple.
3 "I have seen the 3foolish taking root, And I 4cursed his abode immediately.
4 "His 5sons are far from safety, They are even oppressed in the gate, And there is no deliverer.
5 "His harvest the hungry devour And take it to a place of thorns, And the 6schemer is eager for their wealth.

Job 5:1-5 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 5

In this chapter Eliphaz goes on to prove, and further confirm and establish, what he had before asserted, that not good men, but wicked men only, are afflicted of God, at least greatly, so as to have their substance wholly destroyed and perish, which was Job's case; and this partly from the case, state, and sentiments of all the saints, Job 5:1,2; and from his own observation and experience, Job 5:3-5; and then he proceeds to give some advice; and seeing afflictions do not come by chance, but are of God, it is right in such circumstances for a man to seek to the Lord for pardon and salvation, and commit his cause unto him, Job 5:6-8; who does many great things in a providential way to the good of man in general, and to the disappointment of wicked crafty men, and to the serving of the poor in particular, Job 5:9-16; so that it is best patiently to bear the afflicting hand of God, and it is an happiness to be corrected by him, since he delivers such out of all their troubles, and preserves them from many evils, and bestows many good things on them; which would be Job's case particularly, if he behaved according to the advice given, and which is left with him to consider of, Job 5:17-27.

Cross References 6

  • 1. Job 15:15
  • 2. Proverbs 12:16; Proverbs 27:3
  • 3. Jeremiah 12:2
  • 4. Job 24:18; Job 31:30
  • 5. Job 4:11
  • 6. Job 18:8-10; Job 22:10

Footnotes 3

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