Job 5:11-21

11 He places lowly people up high. He lifts those who mourn to safety.
12 He keeps shrewd people from carrying out their plans so that they cannot do anything successfully.
13 He catches the wise with their own tricks. The plans of schemers prove to be hasty.
14 In the daytime they meet darkness and grope in the sunlight as if it were night.
15 "But he saves [other people] from their slander and the needy from the power of the mighty.
16 Then the poor have hope while wrongdoing shuts its mouth.
17 "Blessed is the person whom God corrects. That person should not despise discipline from the Almighty.
18 God injures, but he bandages. He beats you up, but his hands make you well.
19 He will keep you safe from six troubles, and when the seventh one comes, no harm will touch you:
20 "In famine he will save you from death, and in war he will save you from the sword.
21 "When the tongue lashes out, you will be safe, and you will not be afraid of destruction when it comes.

Job 5:11-21 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.

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