it is so dark you cannot see, and a flood of water covers you. it is so dark you cannot seeThe phrase "it is so dark you cannot see" speaks to a profound spiritual and existential blindness. In the Hebrew context, darkness often symbolizes chaos, ignorance, or the absence of God's presence. The Hebrew word for darkness, "choshek," is used in Genesis to describe the state of the world before God said, "Let there be light." This darkness is not merely physical but represents a spiritual condition where one is unable to perceive truth or divine guidance. In the narrative of Job, this darkness can be seen as a metaphor for Job's suffering and confusion, where he struggles to understand the reasons behind his afflictions. From a conservative Christian perspective, this darkness can also be interpreted as the state of humanity without the light of Christ, who is described in the New Testament as the "light of the world" ( John 8:12). The inability to see signifies a lack of spiritual insight or revelation, which can only be remedied by turning to God, who dispels darkness with His truth and presence. and a flood of water covers you
The imagery of "a flood of water covers you" evokes a sense of overwhelming circumstances and judgment. In the ancient Near Eastern context, floods were often seen as symbols of chaos and destruction. The Hebrew word for flood, "sheteph," can imply a deluge that sweeps away everything in its path. This phrase can be understood as a representation of the trials and tribulations that engulf Job, leaving him feeling submerged and helpless. Historically, floods were feared for their power to destroy crops, homes, and lives, making them a potent metaphor for overwhelming adversity. In the biblical narrative, floods also carry connotations of divine judgment, as seen in the account of Noah. However, from a conservative Christian viewpoint, this flood can also be seen as a test of faith, where believers are called to trust in God's sovereignty and deliverance. The floodwaters, while threatening, are ultimately under God's control, and He promises to be with His people through the waters, as stated in Isaiah 43:2, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." This assurance provides hope and encouragement, reminding believers that no matter how overwhelming the circumstances, God's presence and power are greater. Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA wealthy and righteous man from the land of Uz, who undergoes severe trials and suffering. The book of Job explores his dialogues with friends and his struggle to understand his suffering. 2. Eliphaz the TemaniteOne of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. In this chapter, Eliphaz accuses Job of wickedness and suggests that his suffering is due to his sins. 3. TemanA region in Edom, known for its wise men. Eliphaz, being a Temanite, is considered to be a man of wisdom. 4. Darkness and FloodMetaphorical elements used by Eliphaz to describe Job's situation, symbolizing overwhelming trouble and confusion. 5. The DialogueThe ongoing conversation between Job and his friends, which forms the central part of the book, focusing on themes of suffering, justice, and divine sovereignty. Teaching Points Understanding Misplaced AccusationsEliphaz's accusations remind us to be cautious in attributing suffering to personal sin without understanding God's broader purposes. The Reality of Spiritual DarknessSpiritual darkness can obscure our vision and understanding, but we are called to seek God's light through prayer and His Word. Trusting God in Overwhelming CircumstancesLike Job, we may face situations that feel like a flood, but we are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty and faithfulness. The Importance of Compassionate CounselEliphaz's approach highlights the need for empathy and wisdom when offering counsel to those in distress. God's Sovereignty Over SufferingThe book of Job ultimately points to God's control and purpose in suffering, encouraging believers to trust in His divine plan. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Eliphaz's perspective on suffering differ from the broader biblical teaching on the causes of suffering? 2. In what ways can spiritual darkness affect our relationship with God, and how can we seek His light in such times? 3. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by circumstances. How did your faith in God help you navigate that situation? 4. How can we offer compassionate and wise counsel to friends or family members who are experiencing suffering? 5. What does the book of Job teach us about God's sovereignty and purpose in allowing suffering in the lives of believers? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 69The imagery of being overwhelmed by a flood is echoed in this Psalm, where the psalmist cries out to God for deliverance from deep waters, symbolizing distress and persecution. Isaiah 59This chapter speaks of darkness as a consequence of sin, similar to Eliphaz's implication that Job's suffering is due to his wrongdoing. John 9Jesus addresses the misconception that suffering is always a direct result of personal sin, providing a New Testament perspective on the issue. People Eliphaz, Job, OphirPlaces Ophir, UzTopics Abundance, Canst, Cover, Covered, Covers, Dark, Darkened, Darkness, Flood, Floods, Mass, Unable, WatersDictionary of Bible Themes Job 22:4-11 8779 materialism, nature of Job 22:10-11 4812 darkness, God's judgment Library December 29 Morning
Understanding what the will of the Lord is.--EPH. 5:17. This is the will of God, even your sanctification.--Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.--This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.--We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily PathKnowledge and Peace
'Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.'--JOB xxii. 21. In the sense in which the speaker meant them, these words are not true. They mean little more than 'It pays to be religious.' What kind of notion of acquaintance with God Eliphaz may have had, one scarcely knows, but at any rate, the whole meaning of the text on his lips is poor and selfish. The peace promised is evidently only outward tranquillity and freedom from trouble, and the good that is to …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture What Life May be Made
'For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God. 27. Thou shalt make thy prayer unto Him, and He shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows. 28. Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. 29. When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, ... lifting up; and He shall save the humble person.'--JOB xxii. 26-29. These words are a fragment of one of the speeches of Job's friends, in which …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Whether all Things are under Divine Providence
Whether All Things are under Divine Providence We proceed to the second article thus: 1. It seems that not all things are under divine providence. For nothing that is ordained happens contingently, and if all things were provided by God, nothing would happen contingently. There would then be no such thing as chance or fortune. But this is contrary to common opinion. 2. Again, every wise provider, so far as he is able, preserves those in his care from defect and from evil. But we see many evils in …
Aquinas—Nature and Grace Whether God is Everywhere by Essence, Presence and Power?
Objection 1: It seems that the mode of God's existence in all things is not properly described by way of essence, presence and power. For what is by essence in anything, is in it essentially. But God is not essentially in things; for He does not belong to the essence of anything. Therefore it ought not to be said that God is in things by essence, presence and power. Objection 2: Further, to be present in anything means not to be absent from it. Now this is the meaning of God being in things by His …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Everything is Subject to the Providence of God?
Objection 1: It seems that everything is not subject to divine providence. For nothing foreseen can happen by chance. If then everything was foreseen by God, nothing would happen by chance. And thus hazard and luck would disappear; which is against common opinion. Objection 2: Further, a wise provider excludes any defect or evil, as far as he can, from those over whom he has a care. But we see many evils existing. Either, then, God cannot hinder these, and thus is not omnipotent; or else He does …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Doctrine of God
I. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD: (Vs. Atheism). 1. ASSUMED BY THE SCRIPTURES. 2. PROOFS OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. a) Universal belief in the Existence of God. b) Cosmological:--Argument from Cause. c) Teleological:--Argument from Design. d) Ontological:--Argument from Being. e) Anthropological:--Moral Argument. f) Argument from Congruity. g) Argument from Scripture. II. THE NATURE OF GOD: (Vs. Agnosticism) 1. THE SPIRITUALITY OF GOD: (Vs. Materialism). 2. THE PERSONALITY OF GOD: (Vs. Pantheism). 3. THE UNITY …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible The Case of the Christian under the Hiding of God's Face.
1. The phrase scriptural.--2. It signifies the withdrawing the tokens of the divine favor.--3 chiefly as to spiritual considerations.--4. This may become the case of any Christian.--5. and will be found a very sorrowful one.--6. The following directions, therefore, are given to those who suppose it to be their own: To inquire whether it be indeed a case of spiritual distress, or whether a disconsolate frame may not proceed from indisposition of body,--7. or difficulties as to worldly circumstances.--8, …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul Bands of Love; Or, Union to Christ. "I Drew them with Cords of a Man, with Bands of Love: and I was to them as they that Take Off the Yoke on their Jaws, and I Laid Meat unto Them. " --Hosea xi. 4.
BANDS OF LOVE; OR, UNION TO CHRIST. SYSTEMATIC theologians have usually regarded union to Christ under three aspects, natural, mystical and federal, and it may be that these three terms are comprehensive enough to embrace the whole subject, but as our aim is simplicity, let us be pardoned if we appear diffuse when we follow a less concise method. 1. The saints were from the beginning joined to Christ by bands of everlasting love. Before He took on Him their nature, or brought them into a conscious …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to Christians to be Holy. By John Bunyan.
Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever.'--[Psalm 93:5] London, by B. W., for Benj. Alsop, at the Angel and Bible, in the Poultrey. 1684. THE EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. This is the most searching treatise that has ever fallen under our notice. It is an invaluable guide to those sincere Christians, who, under a sense of the infinite importance of the salvation of an immortal soul, and of the deceitfulness of their hearts, sigh and cry, "O Lord of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
To declare emphatically that the people of God are a covenant people, various signs were in sovereignty vouchsafed. The lights in the firmament of heaven were appointed to be for signs, affording direction to the mariner, the husbandman, and others. Miracles wrought on memorable occasions, were constituted signs or tokens of God's universal government. The gracious grant of covenant signs was made in order to proclaim the truth of the existence of God's covenant with his people, to urge the performance …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Epistle xxxix. To Eulogius, Patriarch of Alexandria.
To Eulogius, Patriarch of Alexandria. Gregory to Eulogius, &c. As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country (Prov. xxv. 25). But what can be good news to me, so far as concerns the behoof of holy Church, but to hear of the health and safety of your to me most sweet Holiness, who, from your perception of the light of truth, both illuminate the same Church with the word of preaching, and mould it to a better way by the example of your manners? As often, too, as I recall in …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
Since every revealed purpose of God, implying that obedience to his law will be given, is a demand of that obedience, the announcement of his Covenant, as in his sovereignty decreed, claims, not less effectively than an explicit law, the fulfilment of its duties. A representation of a system of things pre-determined in order that the obligations of the Covenant might be discharged; various exhibitions of the Covenant as ordained; and a description of the children of the Covenant as predestinated …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Job 22:11 NIVJob 22:11 NLTJob 22:11 ESVJob 22:11 NASBJob 22:11 KJV
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