The counsel of the three friends of Job was based upon the truths of God but they made a mistake in its application. Their general views of divine truth are most majestic and glorious. It is generally believed that the further back in history you go the more benighted and primitive and crude are the views of men. This springs from the notion that modern man alone, with his Bible rejecting and supposedly scientifically enlightened mind, possesses the right notions about God. This old Temanite speaking to us from 3000 years ago, shows that he possessed a knowledge of God that many so-called professors of theology today do not possess.
This speech of Eliphaz is quoted in other parts of scripture as being of divine authority. Solomon adopts it, My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction, Proverbs 3:11. Paul likewise quotes different parts of it. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness, I Corinthians 3:19. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him, Hebrews 12:5. James likewise also refers to it. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him, James 1:12. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy, James 5:11. The truths are divine but there application to job was based upon an erroneous view of why Job suffered the trials that he did. We may safely trust the great promises of this portion as the very declarations of God Himself.
I. GOD CORRECTS THE BELIEVER BY AFFLICTIONS
The word happy means blessed, Psalm 1:1, 32:1. Only the blessed are corrected by the Lord.
1. While God tolerates the actions of the wicked, He will not tolerate sin in His people. He corrects them. He judges and reproves them.
2. The family of God may be distinguished by the corrections which Heaven lays upon them. I Cor 11:31-32. If there is to be a difference between the believer and the sinner on the great day, then there must be a difference her and now.
3. The Lord has many rods by which He corrects His people. None are out of reach of the hand of God’s corrections. David discovered that, though he was the king, God could correct him.
II. GOD’S AFFLICTIONS UPON HIS PEOPLE ARE TEMPORARY
Verse 18. He does not leave the believer in the state of affliction. After all, the affliction is meant to bring the believer back to God. The forsaking of sin is followed by healing. If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land, II Chron 7:14, Psalm 34:19, Hosea 6:11.
III. GOD’S AFFLICTIONS UPON HIS PEOPLE ARE RESTRICTED SO THAT THEY DO NOT DESTROY THEM
Verses 19-25. Their destruction would defeat the purpose of affliction. There is sustaining grace supplied in the midst of the affliction. Paul, II Cor 12:7-11. The Lord is with His people in the midst of their afflictions, Isaiah 43:1-5, 63:9. He will safeguard their rights, Psalm 140:12.
IV. GOD PERFECTS HIS PEOPLE BY AFFLICTIONS
Verse 26.
1. All of us are undergoing a ripening process. If we are the planting of the Lord He will ripen us. But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold, Matt 13:8. As frost and wind as well as sun and rain are required for the ripening of the grain, so it is with us. Psalm 119:67, 71.
2. All of us have our season appointed of God. If we live as we ought we shall accomplish all God ever intended us to. Are you as ripening grain? Is there that progression to be seen in your life? At our full age we shall be reaped of God. As the farmer knows when the grain is ready so too does the Lord. Will your death be seasonable? Paul died as a martyr but died seasonably, II Tim 4:7.