Job 22:2-12

2 Is it possible for a man to be of profit to God? No, for a man's wisdom is only of profit to himself.

3 Is it of any interest to the Ruler of all that you are upright? or is it of use to him that your ways are without sin?

4 Is it because you give him honour that he is sending punishment on you and is judging you?

5 Is not your evil-doing great? and there is no end to your sins.

6 For you have taken your brother's goods when he was not in your debt, and have taken away the clothing of those who have need of it.

7 You do not give water to the tired traveller, and from him who has no food you keep back bread.

8 For it was the man with power who had the land, and the man with an honoured name who was living in it.

9 You have sent widows away without hearing their cause, and you have taken away the support of the child who has no father.

10 For this cause nets are round your feet, and you are overcome with sudden fear.

11 Your light is made dark so that you are unable to see, and you are covered by a mass of waters.

12 Is not God as high as heaven? and see the stars, how high they are!

Job 22:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 22

This chapter contains the third and last reply of Eliphaz to Job, in which he charges him with having too high an opinion of himself, of his holiness and righteousness, as if God was profited by it, and laid thereby under obligation to him, whereas he was not, Job 22:1-3; and as if he reproved and chastised him, because of his fear of him, whereas it was because of his sins, Job 22:4,5; an enumeration of which he gives, as of injustice, oppression, cruelty to the poor, and even of atheism and infidelity, for which snares and fears were around him, and various calamities, Job 22:6-14; and compares his way and course of life to that of the men of the old world, and the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, and suggests that his end would be like theirs, unless he repented, Job 22:15-20; and then concludes with an exhortation to him to return to God by repentance, and to reform, when he should see happy times again, and enjoy much outward and inward prosperity, and be an instrument of doing much good to many, Job 22:21-30.