“THE HEAVENS ARE NOT CLEAN”

Job_15:1-35



The second colloquy, like the first, is commenced by Eliphaz. He begins by rebuking Job, Job_15:1-16. He complains that the words of Job proved him to be unwise, Job_15:2-3, and even impious, Job_15:4. His very speech testified to his iniquity, Job_15:5-6. With something of irony Eliphaz asks upon what Job’s claim to superior wisdom rests. Was he the first man? Job_15:7. Or had he access to the secret counsel of God? Job_15:8. In refusing the counsel of his friends, Job_15:9-10, and the consolations of God they had offered, Job_15:11, r.v., had he not proved his want of wisdom? He had even proved his folly and his impiety, by attempting to assert his innocence before God, Job_15:12-14, in whose presence even the heavens were unclean, Job_15:15-16. It is clear that Eliphaz and his friends did not believe the sincerity of Job’s protestations of innocence.

Eliphaz then attempts to instruct Job, Job_15:17-35. His theme is almost the same as that of his former speech. It is the righteousness of God as specially manifested in the punishment of the wicked. He claims that his doctrine is that of the wise men, Job_15:17-19; then proceeds to describe the wicked man as troubled in conscience and full of fear, Job_15:20-24; attributes this to his bold impiety, Job_15:25-28; and predicts his fearful doom, Job_15:29-35. The application of such teaching to Job must have been very painful. He insinuated that Job’s terrible afflictions were God’s testimony against his sin. We know better from Joh_11:4-5.