Job 5:1-9

1 Eliphaz continued, "Call out if you want to, Job. But who will answer you? Which one of the holy angels will you turn to?

2 Anger kills foolish people. Jealousy destroys those who are childish.

3 I saw that foolish people were having success. But suddenly a curse came down on their houses.

4 Their children aren't safe at all. They lose their case in court. No one speaks up for them.

5 Hungry people eat up the crops of those who are foolish. They even take the food that grows among thorns. Thirsty people long for the wealth of the foolish.

6 Hard times don't just grow out of the soil. Trouble doesn't jump out of the ground.

7 People are born to have trouble. And that's just as sure as sparks fly up.

8 "If I were you, I'd make my appeal to God. I'd bring my case to be judged by him.

9 He does wonderful things that can't be understood. He does miracles that can't even be counted.

Job 5:1-9 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.