Job 22:18 - Eliphaz Exhorts Job

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Context

Eliphaz Exhorts Job
…17They said to God, ‘Depart from us. What can the Almighty do to us?’ 18But it was He who filled their houses with good things; so I stay far from the counsel of the wicked. 19The righteous see it and are glad; the innocent mock them:…

Cross References

Psalm 73:12
Behold, these are the wicked—always carefree as they increase their wealth.Jeremiah 12:1
Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?Proverbs 1:32
For the waywardness of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.Luke 12:19-20
Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ / But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’Psalm 17:14
from such men, O LORD, by Your hand—from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons, so they leave their abundance to their children.James 5:5
You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter.Ecclesiastes 8:11-13
When the sentence for a crime is not speedily executed, the hearts of men become fully set on doing evil. / Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives long, yet I also know that it will go well with those who fear God, who are reverent in His presence. / Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.Matthew 5:45
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.Psalm 37:7
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes.1 Timothy 6:17
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.Psalm 49:6-7
They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches. / No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God.2 Peter 2:13
The harm they will suffer is the wages of their wickedness. They consider it a pleasure to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deception as they feast with you.Proverbs 10:22
The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it.Revelation 3:17
You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.Psalm 92:7
that though the wicked sprout like grass, and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed.

Job 12:6
The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.

1 Samuel 2:7
The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

Psalm 17:14
From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

the counsel

Job 21:16
Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

Psalm 1:1
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

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Job 22

But it was He who filled their houses with good things;
This phrase acknowledges God's sovereignty and provision. In the context of the Book of Job, Eliphaz is speaking, suggesting that the prosperity of the wicked is ultimately allowed by God. This reflects the biblical theme that God is the source of all blessings, as seen in passages like James 1:17, which states that every good and perfect gift is from above. The historical context of Job, set in the patriarchal period, emphasizes the belief that material wealth and prosperity were signs of divine favor. However, the narrative of Job challenges this notion by showing that suffering can occur even to the righteous. This phrase also connects to the broader biblical narrative where God provides for His people, as seen in the provision of manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16).

so I stay far from the counsel of the wicked.
Eliphaz claims a moral high ground by distancing himself from the wicked, reflecting the biblical principle of avoiding evil influences, as seen in Psalm 1:1, which blesses the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked. This phrase underscores the importance of discernment and righteousness, themes prevalent throughout Scripture. The cultural context of the ancient Near East often associated wisdom with moral living, and Eliphaz's statement aligns with this worldview. However, the irony in the Book of Job is that Eliphaz's counsel, though seemingly wise, is ultimately flawed, as God later rebukes him and the other friends for not speaking rightly about Him (Job 42:7). This highlights the complexity of understanding God's ways and the need for humility in interpreting divine actions.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Job
A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, experiencing intense suffering and questioning the reasons behind it.

2. Eliphaz the Temanite
One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. In this chapter, Eliphaz is speaking, suggesting that Job's suffering is due to his sin and urging him to repent.

3. The Wicked
A general term used to describe those who live in opposition to God's ways. In this context, Eliphaz implies that Job's suffering is akin to the fate of the wicked.

4. God
The sovereign Creator who is ultimately in control of all things, including the distribution of blessings and the judgment of the wicked.

5. Teman
A place associated with wisdom, often linked to the descendants of Esau. Eliphaz is identified as a Temanite, suggesting his reputation for wisdom.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty in Blessings
Recognize that all good things come from God, even when they appear in the lives of those who do not honor Him. This should lead us to gratitude and humility, acknowledging God's grace in our own lives.

Avoiding the Counsel of the Wicked
Be discerning about the advice and influence you allow into your life. Align yourself with godly counsel and wisdom, as the ways of the wicked lead to destruction.

Understanding Suffering
Suffering is not always a direct result of personal sin. Like Job, we may face trials that are not a punishment but a test of faith. Trust in God's greater plan and remain steadfast.

The Temporary Nature of Earthly Prosperity
Earthly wealth and success are fleeting. Focus on storing up treasures in heaven, where they are eternal and secure.

Repentance and Restoration
Eliphaz's call to repentance, though misapplied to Job, is a reminder of the importance of turning back to God when we stray. God is always ready to restore those who seek Him with a sincere heart.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Job 22What does the Bible teach about money?Proverbs 18:22: Does finding 'favor from the Lord' by marrying imply that the single or the divorced lack divine blessing?If 'a man reaps what he sows' (Galatians 6:7) is universally true, why do injustices and unmerited suffering persist?What guidance does the Bible offer for overcoming depression?

(18) Yet he filled their houses.--The bitterness of his irony now reaches its climax in that he adopts the very formula of repudiation Job had himself used (Job 14:16).

Verse 18. - Yet he filled their houses with good things. The "he" is emphatic (הוּא). Translate, Yet it was he that filled their houses with good things; and comp. Job 21:16, where the prosperity of the wicked is said not to have proceeded from themselves. But the counsel of the wicked is far from me; or, but let the counsel of the wicked be far from me. Again, Job's words in Job 21:16 are echoed, perhaps that Eliphaz may show himself to be at least as pious as Job. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

But it was He
וְה֤וּא (wə·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

who filled
מִלֵּ֣א (mil·lê)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of

their houses
בָתֵּיהֶ֣ם (ḇāt·tê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1004: A house

with good things;
ט֑וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

so I stay far
רָ֣חֲקָה (rā·ḥă·qāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7368: To be or become far or distant

from the counsel
וַעֲצַ֥ת (wa·‘ă·ṣaṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6098: Advice, plan, prudence

of the wicked.
רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים (rə·šā·‘îm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

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