Job 4:17 - Eliphaz: The Innocent Prosper

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Context

Eliphaz: The Innocent Prosper
…16It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance; a form loomed before my eyes, and I heard a whispering voice: 17‘Can a mortal be more righteous than God, or a man more pure than his Maker? 18If God puts no trust in His servants, and He charges His angels with error,…

Cross References

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,Psalm 143:2
Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.Ecclesiastes 7:20
Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.Romans 3:10-12
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. / There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. / All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”1 John 1:8
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.Genesis 6:5
Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.Isaiah 64:6
Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?1 Kings 8:46
When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to his own land, whether far or near,Proverbs 20:9
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?Romans 7:18
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.Galatians 3:22
But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.Matthew 19:17
“Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”Mark 10:18
“Why do you call Me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good except God alone.

Job 8:3
Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

Job 9:2
I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?

Job 35:2
Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's?

shall a man.

Job 9:30,31
If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; …

Job 14:4
Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.

Job 15:14
What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

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Job 4

Can a mortal be more righteous than God
This phrase challenges the notion of human righteousness in comparison to divine righteousness. In the biblical context, it reflects the understanding that humans, being created beings, cannot surpass the moral and ethical perfection of their Creator. This echoes the sentiments found in Isaiah 64:6, where human righteousness is described as "filthy rags" before God. The rhetorical question emphasizes the vast gap between God's holiness and human imperfection, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture. It also aligns with the teachings in Romans 3:23, which state that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, underscoring the need for divine grace.

or a man more pure than his Maker?
This phrase further emphasizes the impossibility of human purity exceeding that of God, the Creator. The term "Maker" highlights God's role as the originator of life, reinforcing His authority and perfection. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, purity was often associated with ritual cleanliness and moral integrity. This question challenges the listener to recognize human limitations and the inherent sinfulness that separates humanity from God's perfect purity. It also points to the necessity of a mediator, which Christians find fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is described in Hebrews 4:15 as one who was "tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." This connection to Christ underscores the belief that only through Him can humans attain righteousness and purity before God.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Eliphaz the Temanite
One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. Eliphaz is the speaker in this verse, offering his perspective on Job's suffering.

2. Job
A wealthy and righteous man who experiences severe trials and suffering. The book of Job explores his responses and the dialogues with his friends.

3. Teman
A region in Edom, known for its wise men. Eliphaz is identified as a Temanite, suggesting he is considered wise.

4. God
The Creator and ultimate judge of righteousness, whose nature and justice are central themes in the book of Job.

5. The Heavenly Court
The setting of the initial chapters of Job, where God and Satan discuss Job's faithfulness, setting the stage for the events that follow.

Teaching Points

Understanding Human Limitations
Recognize that humans, by nature, cannot surpass God's righteousness. This humbles us and reminds us of our need for God's grace.

The Nature of God
Reflect on God's perfect righteousness and purity. This understanding should lead us to worship and trust in His justice and wisdom.

The Role of Suffering
Consider how suffering can lead to deeper insights into God's character and our own limitations, as seen in Job's account.

The Importance of Humility
Embrace humility in our spiritual journey, acknowledging that our understanding and righteousness are limited compared to God's.

Seeking God's Wisdom
In times of confusion or suffering, seek God's wisdom rather than relying solely on human understanding, as Eliphaz's counsel demonstrates the limitations of human reasoning.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Job 4In Job 4:17, how can humans be declared unjust by default if the text elsewhere affirms God’s love and mercy toward humanity? Does the overwhelmingly negative view of human nature in Job 4 conflict with archaeological or historical evidence of altruistic behavior in ancient societies?Why does Job 4 seem to contradict other biblical teachings, such as the Book of Psalms, that the righteous can and do suffer?In Job 4:7, how could Eliphaz assert that no innocent person has ever perished when history shows countless examples of righteous people suffering?

(17) Shall mortal man be more just than God?--This is the burden, or refrain, upon which the friends of Job are for ever harping. It is perfectly orthodox, but at the same time perfectly inadequate to deal with the necessities of Job's case. He is willing to admit that it is impossible for any man to be just with God; but then arises Job's dilemma, Where is God's justice if He punishes the innocent as the guilty? The word rendered "mortal" man is really weak, frail man, involving, it may be, the idea of mortality, but not immediately suggesting it. As far as mortality implies sin, the notion of being just is absurd; and even a strong man--such is the antithesis--cannot be more pure than He that made him, who, it is assumed, must be both strong and righteous.

Verse 17. - Shall mortal man be more just than God? Is it to be supposed that the ways of God can be rightly criticized and condemned by man? Surely not; for then man must be more penetrated with the spirit of justice than the Almighty. If our thoughts are not as God's thoughts, it must be, our thoughts that are wrong. Shall a man be more pure than his Maker? Equally impossible. God alone is absolutely pure. The best man must be conscious to himself, as Isaiah was (Isaiah 6:5), of uncleanness. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

‘Can a [mortal]
הַֽ֭אֱנוֹשׁ (ha·’ĕ·nō·wōš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

be more righteous
יִצְדָּ֑ק (yiṣ·dāq)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6663: To be just or righteous

than God,
מֵאֱל֣וֹהַ (mê·’ĕ·lō·w·ha)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 433: God -- a deity, the Deity

or
אִ֥ם (’im)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

a man
גָּֽבֶר׃ (gā·ḇer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1397: A valiant man, warrior, a person simply

more pure
יִטְהַר־ (yiṭ·har-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2891: To be clean or pure

than his Maker?
מֵ֝עֹשֵׂ֗הוּ (mê·‘ō·śê·hū)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

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Job 4:17 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Job 4:17 Shall mortal man be more just than (Jb)