The Pulpit Commentary — Job — Section 256

HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-16.-.Eliphaz to Job: Resumption of the second controversy: I. An overwhelm- ing indictment. I. OLD ACCUSATIONS REPEATED. 1. Unprofitable talk. The replies given by Job in the preceding colloquy Elipbaz characterizes as (1) unbecoming, altogether unworthy of a wise man such as Job bad professed (eh. xii. 23; xiii. 2), and had indeed been recognized (eh. xxix. 8, 9, 21, 23),to be--an allegation which, though not in point as directed against the patriarch, may suggest the propriety of wise, and much more of good, men always speaking and acting in character, watching over their words as ,veil as works, and studyin~, if possible, to avoid even the appearance of inconsistency, especially in the eyes of weak brethren (Rom. xiv. 21); (2) unsubstantial, mere empty harangues and impassioned tirades, "vain knowledge," literally, knowledge of wind (ver. 2; cf. eh. viii. 2; xi. 2), instead of sound and solid sense-a character, again, which could not fairly be ascribed to Job's reasonings and supplications, though, alas! it not inaptly describes much of human speech and speculation; (3) worthless, being, in respect of use, only" unprofitable talk," "speeches by which no good is done" (ver. 3), which, however magniloquently set forth and wearisomely iterated, contribute nothing towards the elucidation of a great problem, and serve in no degree to aid the speaker in making good his case; and (4) pernicious, in their ultimate results being comparable to nothing so appropriately as to the scorching (Jonah iv. 8), blasting (Gen. xlL 23), vehe- ment (Exod. xiv. 21), and destructive (Ps. xlviii. 7) east wind (ver. 2)-and few things are more injurious to the minds that conceive them, or more hurtful to society at large when it must endure them, than such windy orations, "full of sound and fury, signifyiog nothing," like" tales told by idiots," such as are alluded to by Eliphaz, although amongst such it was incorrect to number the burning thoughts and wioged words of Job. 2. Manifest impiety. Eliphaz had already (eh. iv. 6) insinuated that Job was devoid of true religion; here he regards the insinuation as substantiated by the conduct of Job himself in three particulars. (1) The adoption of irreligious sentiments (ver. 4). The views propounded by Job were calculated to subvert the fundamental principle of all religion, viz. the fear of God, and to put an end to the outward expression of religion in devout meditation or prayer. Though wrong as to the estimate he put on Job's theology, Eliphaz was right in regarding reverence for God as the foundation of all piety in man, in thinking that no man's religion can be genuine which does not engeoder the spirit, and lead to the practice, of prayer, and in maintaining that good men should be careful of either entertaining views or promulgating doctrines which have a tendency, however slight, to hinder devotion or destroy veneration in themselves or others. (2) The publication of infidel opinions. Not only bad Job allowed himself to form such unhallowed notions, but he bad openly proclaimed them (ver. 5). Hence Eliphaz inferred his heart could not be right with God. "As a man thioketh iu his heart so is he" (Prov. xxiii. 7); and "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Luke vi. 45). And certainly the deduction is a sound one, that no truly pious man will receive, far less disseminate, principles subversive, or even seemingly so, of the fear and worship of God. Only of such behaviour Job had not been guilty. (3) The defence of damnable heresies. It was impossible that wickedness could further go than it had done with Job, who had not only for himself embraced heretical beliefs, but had fearlessly stated them, and even unblushingly attempted to prove them, using for that purpose "the tongue of the crafty" (ver. 5), of wl;iich he was a master. Undoubtedly it was outrageous ungodliness, if only the theology of the friends upon which Job had poured his withering scorn, biting sarcasm, and scalding indignation had been tba infallible truth of God, which it was not. But Eliphaz and his brethren, thinking it to bo so, pronounced Job a self-convicted sinner (ver. 6). 3. Astounding presumptio,1. Stung by Job's ridicule of himself and his colleagues (eh. xii. 2), and forgetful that "a  266 THE BOOK OF JOB.