Job 5:6-16

6 For affliction doesn't come forth from the dust, Neither does trouble spring out of the ground;

7 But man is born to trouble, As the sparks fly upward.

8 "But as for me, I would seek God, To God would I commit my cause;

9 Who does great things that can't be fathomed, Marvelous things without number;

10 Who gives rain on the eretz, And sends waters on the fields;

11 So that he sets up on high those who are low, Those who mourn are exalted to safety.

12 He frustrates the devices of the crafty, So that their hands can't perform their enterprise.

13 He takes the wise in their own craftiness; The counsel of the cunning is carried headlong.

14 They meet with darkness in the day-time, And grope at noonday as in the night.

15 But he saves from the sword of their mouth, Even the needy from the hand of the mighty.

16 So the poor has hope, And injustice shuts her mouth.

Job 5:6-16 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.