In the beginning Eliphaz acknowledged the righteousness of Job (Job 4:3-4):
Indeed, you have instructed many
and have strengthened weak hands.
Your words have steadied the one who was stumbling
and braced the knees that were buckling.
And now Eliphaz is saying Job is the opposite of that (Job 22:5-9):
Isn’t your wickedness abundant
and aren’t your iniquities endless?
For you took collateral from your brothers without cause,
stripping off their clothes and leaving them naked.
You gave no water to the thirsty
and withheld food from the famished,
while the land belonged to a powerful man
and an influential man lived on it.
You sent widows away empty-handed,
and the strength of the fatherless was crushed.
First of all it is interesting to see what “righteousness” looked like in ancient times–taking care of the poor, the widow, doing right by your countrymen… It’s not much different than what we see today because it is written in our hearts.
But in this context Eliphaz is plainly once again making accusations, albeit unfounded, against Job. That he is spurned the poor, the naked and the widow. Then he once again launches into the “if…then” clause of if you repent and do right, God will restore you.
“If you return to the Almighty, you will be renewed” (Job 22:23).
Eliphaz is saying the same things over and over again even as the others are saying the same things to Job. But in this Eliphaz is getting more specific in his accusations. The tension is ratcheted up. He is not talking about a wicked man anymore but talking to Job directly, addressing him as one who has done evil.
“He will even rescue the guilty one, who will be rescued by the purity of your hands” (Job 22:30).
It is a lonely thing when your friends don’t understand. It’s worse when they openly accuse you.
It is a dark hour of the soul for Job.
