Eliphaz responds to Job’s past couple chapters here in Job 15. Job has been defending himself and making comments about God and his expectations. Eliphaz wails on Job in this chapter. He accuses him of living with his head in the sand and probably gives us a little example of how we won’t win friends and influence people. I do think Eliphaz has the right approach here – to confront things directly and not just sit idly by when you see something you believe needs to be addressed. He believes that Job is on the wrong track, has created all these struggle for himself, and needs to stop whining and take his medicine. But the approach could probably be a little more palitable.
Eliphaz starts off calling Job a “windbag, belching hot air“. Maybe not the best approach to win the opportunity to share truth. In today’s world, being a shock jock seems to be popular and I know that some of that has spilled down to the business and friendship level. We think we are going to be more effective if we say something really strong and overwhelming, put ourself in a position of unquestioned authority by whacking the other person over the head. I have to admit I have used that tact myself and it is not the right approach. Doesn’t mean we should not address people firmly, but we should not insult or attack character like that. Eliphaz does get to the question that really is key for all of us: “are God’s promises enough for you“? That really is the core for each of us when we are struggling with life. Is God sufficient? Or are we going to try and handle it ourself and blame God for what is happening. Eliphaz points out the big struggle within us – our emotions. He says “why do you let your emotions take over“? Often the battleground is our emotions. We know in our head and heart that God is in control, but when things get tough, we begin to let our emotions challenge the truth we have accepted and then we struggle to stand firm. That is what the enemy is banking on – that in the midst of the battle we will flinch – we will lost connection with the God who has been all we needed up to that point and that he can convince us that life is no longer fair and God has lost control That is not true and NEVER happens, but emotions can cause us to make some rather poor decisons when times are tough. We are in that environment right now with the difficult economy, just coming out of the holidays where there is often relationship challenges, and facing a new year. It can be overwhelming and we can start to listen to our emotions telling us it doesn’t “feel” like God has it under control. So the natural urge is to try and take control. That is when we can be assured things will slide the wrong way. Resist that urge. Trust God – nothing has changed. HE is still the One in charge.
Posted by asorensen 
