◄ Job 22:2 ►
"Can a man be of use to God? Can even a wise man benefit Him?
Study Bible
Can a man be of use to God?
This phrase challenges the reader to consider the nature of humanity's relationship with the divine. The Hebrew word for "use" here is "sakan," which implies being profitable or beneficial. In the ancient Near Eastern context, gods were often seen as needing human service, but the God of Israel is self-sufficient. This rhetorical question posed by Eliphaz suggests that God does not require human assistance to fulfill His purposes. From a conservative Christian perspective, this underscores the doctrine of God's omnipotence and self-sufficiency. Humans are called to serve God not because He needs us, but because it is our privilege and purpose to glorify Him.

Can even a wise man benefit Him?
The term "wise man" in Hebrew is "chakam," which denotes someone with skill, experience, and shrewdness. Wisdom in the biblical sense is highly valued, often associated with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). However, Eliphaz's question implies that even the most knowledgeable and discerning human cannot add to God's essence or improve His state. This reflects the biblical teaching that God's wisdom is far above human understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9). In a conservative Christian view, this serves as a humbling reminder of human limitations and the need for reliance on God's wisdom rather than our own. It also points to the grace of God, who chooses to involve humans in His divine plan not out of necessity, but out of love and relationship.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Eliphaz the Temanite
One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. In this chapter, Eliphaz is speaking, offering his perspective on Job's suffering and the nature of man's relationship with God.

2. Job
The central figure of the Book of Job, known for his patience and faithfulness amidst severe trials and suffering. Job's account is set in the land of Uz.

3. God
The Almighty Creator, whose sovereignty and wisdom are central themes in the Book of Job. The question posed by Eliphaz challenges the notion of human utility to God.

4. Teman
A region in Edom, known for its wise men. Eliphaz is identified as a Temanite, suggesting his reputation for wisdom.

5. The Dialogue
The ongoing conversation between Job and his friends, which explores themes of suffering, justice, and divine wisdom.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Self-Sufficiency
God is complete and perfect in Himself. He does not need anything from us to be fulfilled or complete. Our relationship with Him is not based on what we can offer but on His grace and love.

Human Limitations and Dependence on God
While humans cannot benefit God in a transactional sense, we are called to live in obedience and worship, which is for our benefit and His glory. Recognizing our limitations should lead us to humility and reliance on God.

Wisdom and Its True Source
True wisdom acknowledges God's sovereignty and our dependence on Him. Human wisdom, like that of Eliphaz, can be flawed if it does not align with God's truth.

Purpose of Good Works
Our good works are not to benefit God but to reflect His character and bring glory to Him. They are an expression of our faith and gratitude for His grace.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Eliphaz's question in Job 22:2 challenge our understanding of our relationship with God?

2. In what ways can recognizing God's self-sufficiency change our approach to worship and service?

3. How do the additional scriptures (Psalm 16:2, Romans 11:35-36, Acts 17:24-25) reinforce the message of Job 22:2?

4. What are some practical ways we can demonstrate our dependence on God in our daily lives?

5. How can we ensure that our pursuit of wisdom aligns with God's truth rather than human understanding?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 16:2
This verse emphasizes that all goodness comes from God, reinforcing the idea that humans cannot add to God's perfection or benefit Him in a transactional sense.

Romans 11:35-36
These verses highlight God's self-sufficiency and the fact that everything comes from Him, through Him, and for Him, echoing the sentiment that God does not need anything from humans.

Acts 17:24-25
Paul speaks about God not being served by human hands as if He needed anything, since He Himself gives life and breath to everything, aligning with the theme of God's independence from human actions.
Sermons
Whether Man Can be Profitable to GodW.F. Adeney Job 22:2
Does Religion Enrich GodB. J. Gibbon.Job 22:1-4
The Doctrine of MeritRobert South, D. D.Job 22:1-4
The Independence of GodHenry Melvill, B. D.Job 22:1-4
The Third Speech of EliphazHomilistJob 22:1-4
Censorious and Uncharitable ReasoningE. Johnson Job 22:1-30
The Impartiality of the Divine JudgmentR. Gree Job 22:2-11
People
Eliphaz, Job, Ophir
Places
Ophir, Uz
Topics
Benefit, Man's, Possible, Profit, Profitable, Surely, Useful, Vigorous, Wisdom, Wise
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 21:32-33

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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 Path

Knowledge 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

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