Job 5:8-16

The answer is God

8 But I would seek God, put my case to God,
9 who does great things beyond comprehension, wonderful things without number;
10 who provides rain over the earth's surface, sends water to the open country,
11 exalts the lowly, raises mourners to victory;
12 who frustrates the schemes of the clever so that their hands achieve no success,
13 trapping the wise in their cleverness so that the plans of the devious don't succeed.
14 They encounter darkness during the day, and at noon they fumble about as at night.
15 Yet he rescues the orphan from the sword of their mouth, the needy from the grip of the strong;
16 so the poor have hope and violence shuts its mouth.

Job 5:8-16 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.

Footnotes 1

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