Picking Up Where the Devil Left Off (Job #5)

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Text: Job 4-5

After the devil is done with Job, Eliphaz picks up the devil’s mantle and begins to accuse Job. For two chapters Eliphaz accuses Job without any evidence. His arguments sound reasonable. There is a rationale to what he says and most of it sounds good.

Eliphaz says he just can’t hold it in. He has to tell Job what’s on his mind. He just can’t keep his mouth shut.

Tells Job to save himself (4:3-6)

Verse 5 is the most unreasonable expectation.
- How exactly does Eliphaz think Job is supposed to react to losing all ten of his children, everything he owns, his wife completely emotionally exhausted, and him being covered in boils from head to toe?
- Eliphaz says Job can’t handle his own instruction. He accuses Job of talking the talk, but not walking the walk.
By the devil’s design, people who are serving God and trying to apply God’s word to their own lives, these folks are an irritation to people who will not serve God. And when you who are not serving God get irritated with those that do, you’ll pick up the devil’s mantle and find ways to accuse the servant of God.
Physician, heal thyself…
- Implied in the accusation is that Job has helped people.
- At least Job has helped people, what did you ever do with your life? Who are you to bring this stupid accusation? Maybe you ought to try serving God so you’ll stop being a critic of God’s servant.
- Job 26:2-4
This is the accusation against Jesus Christ.
- Luke 4:23 And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself…
- Matthew 27:41-43 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. 43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
- Mark 15:29-32 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, 30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross. 31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. 32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe…

Accuser has no specific charge (4:7-11)

Eliphaz says Job is suffering for his own sin, but has nothing to accuse him of.
- The accuser walks by sight; even as I have seen…
- Eliphaz presumptuously assumes that Job, the great man, has fallen in verses 8-11.
- This is how you know you’re closer to the devil than you are to the Lord. When something bad happens to you, you’re a victim. When something bad happens to someone your envious of, your first response is to accuse them.
Trial of faith is precious to the Lord, but to the devil’s children it is evidence against God’s servant.
- Philippians 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
This baseless accusation is what Jesus Christ endured
John 8:46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
John 18:38 …he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
John 19:4, Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. … 6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

Pretends to have secret knowledge (4:12-21)

Proof is Eliphaz’s ghost story. Eliphaz says he has secret knowledge.
You’re warned against stuff like this.
Colossians 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
- Islam was started this way
- Mormonism started this way
- Jehovah’s Witnesses started this way
- Isaiah 8:19-20 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? 20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Jesus Christ is accused by false witnesses
- Matthew 26:59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

Accuser claims to speak for God (5:1-26)

You think this present evil world is also the cradle of justice. Are you kidding?
Eliphaz says Job is not looking to the Lord for help in verse 8
Verse 17 – quit fighting against the Lord’s chastening Job! Sounds good if you take it out of its context, but it has nothing to do with Job’s situation.
John 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

Accuser comforts himself with the thought that he’s doing good (5:27)

Proverbs 30:10 Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
Some of you find yourself more at home with the world than with people who are serving the Lord. And you think you are doing good work to knit pick and find offense with those who have chosen to use this life to serve the Lord. You say God’s servants are so judgmental as you yourself judge them.
Some of you won’t serve God so you, like Eliphaz have just picked up where the devil left off. Do you find yourself critical of people who are trying to serve the Lord? That’s because you’re a child of the devil, doing his work.
Quit pretending, quit siding with the devil, quit towing the line for the devil, trust Jesus Christ by repenting of your sin and your critical spirit and get to work serving the Lord. Do something productive with your life. Something that will last. Take up the yoke of the Lord Jesus Christ.