Job 5:4-14

4 Sus hijos quedan abandonados y lejos de toda ayuda;
los oprimen en el tribunal y no hay quien los defienda.

5 Su cosecha la devoran los hambrientos,
aun cuando esté rodeada de zarzas;
los sedientos suspiran por su riqueza.

6 El mal no germina del suelo
ni la aflicción brota de la tierra,

7 pero la gente nace para tener problemas
tan cierto como que las chispas vuelan del fuego.

8 »Si yo estuviera en tu lugar, me acercaría a Dios
y le presentaría mi caso.

9 Él hace grandezas, demasiado maravillosas para comprenderlas,
y realiza milagros incontables.

10 Él envía lluvia a la tierra
y agua a los campos.

11 Él hace prosperar a los pobres
y protege a los que sufren.

12 Él frustra los planes de los que traman
para que el trabajo de sus manos no prospere.

13 Él atrapa a los sabios en su propia astucia
y desbarata sus ingeniosas maquinaciones.

14 Encuentran oscuridad en pleno día
y andan a tientas al mediodía, como si fuera de noche.

Job 5:4-14 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.