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RESTING IN GOD’S MERCY
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18
Job 22:1-11

Psalm 124

 

“Truly my soul waiteth upon God…”

 

RESTING IN GOD’S MERCY
 
Eliphaz reminded Job of the greatness of God. He is the self-existent One who needs no power other than His own. Therefore, He does not need the righteous. Eliphaz seemed to be saying that God did not care if man was righteous since it did not add anything to Him. God also was in no danger from the sinner. Therefore, Eliphaz concluded that God punished man just because His righteousness demanded sin to be punished (Job 22:1-4).
 
Eliphaz had come to a knowledge concerning God’s greatness and majesty but he understood little of God’s love and mercy. As a result, he came to a false conclusion regarding Job’s suffering.
 
Eliphaz was driven to desperation in trying to get Job to admit that a particular hidden sin had caused his problem. He enumerated sins he was sure Job had committed. Perhaps, he had taken a pledge from his brother that caused him to lose his livelihood or he had taken the last clothing from someone in payment of a debt. These things would violate God’s law (Job 22:5-6; Deut 24:6, 17). Perhaps he did not give water to the weary or food to the hungry. It may have been that he refused to care for widows or for orphans (Job 22:7-9). From Eliphaz’s ease at listing these sins, all connected in one way or another with business, we wonder if they were not a reflection of his own business dealings. We know these accusations could not be true of Job, as God pointed him out to Satan as a righteous man.
 
Eliphaz continued to insist that some unconfessed sin was causing Job trouble. The phrase, “abundance of waters cover thee,” was a common expression, referring to one whose burdens were really too much to bear (Job 22:10-11; Ps 62:2).
 
There are times when it is not possible for us to understand the cause of our troubles, but we can rest in the truth that God is merciful and cares for us each day. These were truths unknown to Job’s friends.
 
THOUGHT: What did Eliphaz not understand about God?
PRAYER: I thank Thee, Father, that in times of confusion, I can rest in Thy mercy.

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