Job 15 Commentary
Eliphaz speaks again. He accuses Job of lacking seriousness – arguing with empty words. It is the result of Job’s sinfulness.
“What are mortals, that they could be pure, or those born of woman, that they could be righteous?” During this debate’s first round, Eliphaz presented the same argument: “Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can even a strong man be more pure than his Maker?” Probably because of Eliphaz’s argument Job stated, “Mortals, born of woman, are of few days and full of trouble”
In the context of this book, we cannot make the connection because Job is innocent. His suffering is because the LORD had been boasting about Job’s faithfulness and righteousness. Actually, Job is suffering because of righteousness, and not the lack of it.
But in the context of the entire scripture, a connection exists between Eliphaz’s statement and Job’s observed sad state of mortals – being of few days and full of trouble. It should be the case for mortals coming from Eve’s womb. In the Garden of peace and tranquility, Eve messed up with the factory and everything down the production line is faulty and subjected to suffering.
When read out of context, and in this Book, one is always encouraged to go that route, Eliphaz isn’t wrong at all. Can those born of a woman be pure? The LORD, God Almighty is answering this very question here by presenting Job. He is one born of a woman, living and walking among men, who the LORD declared righteous. Again, the reader is reminded that the characters in this book are fictitious. But the scripture is projecting the picture of a real man called Jesus who the LORD would declare righteous – in whom the LORD is well pleased.
He is the second Adam. The LORD is boasting about him and claims he is perfection itself. He won’t fall like the first Adam. The role of Job’s wife can roughly be contrasted with the role of Adam’s wife. In this Book, the scripture is saying more than we can see.
In the second section of this chapter, Eliphaz argues that whoever invests in lies gets lies for interest. No one should be cheated; you reap what you sow. Job must have invested in lies, hence the heavy hand of the LORD over his life. But we know better. Let the saint know better. When suffering is not a result of Eliphaz’s equation, let the saint stay happy knowing that the LORD is sovereign.
For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.
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