Chapter 22 begins a new section in the book of Job, what is referred to as the third cycle. The ESV Study Bible says this about chapter 22:
In his final speech, launching the uniquely shaped third cycle, Eliphaz revisits earlier themes with renewed fervor and finality: he questions whether Job has any basis to lament before God (vv. 2–4), asserts again that Job’s circumstances reveal his abundant evil (vv. 4–11), compares Job’s words to those of the wicked (vv. 12–20), and calls him once more to repent so that he might find his ways established by God (vv. 21–30).
Two things that stand out to me in this passage: Eliphaz’s presumption of Job’s sin, and his inability to translate good theology to empathetic application. Verses 1-11 are filled with sins that Jos supposedly committed, with Eliphaz assuming there could be no other reason for the suffering Job was going through.
Verse 12 is a great understanding of who God is. He is high above us, in complete control of everything. But again, he is presuming upon God to act as he believes him to act without pausing to empathize with the suffering of Job.
Are there areas of your life that you easily jump to conclusions without pausing to truly care for someone else?
By: Graham Withers — Pastoral Ministry Associate
JumpstartCPC.com 