Job 5:1-7

Life’s problems

1 Call out. Will anyone answer you? To which holy one will you turn?
2 Surely anger can kill the foolish; fury can kill the simple.
3 I've seen the foolish take root and promptly curse their house.
4 Their children are far from safety, crushed in the gate without a deliverer.
5 The hungry devour their crops; it's taken even from the thorns, and the thirsty pant after their yield.
6 Surely trouble doesn't come from dust, nor does distress sprout from the ground.
7 Surely humans are born to distress, just as sparks rise up.

Job 5:1-7 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 3

  • [a]. Or May their children be far from safety.
  • [b]. or May the hungry devour their crops.
  • [c]. Heb uncertain
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