And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite,
My wrath is kindled against you, and against your two friends: for you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has.
Read Chapter 42
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Two friends. It is astonishing that Eliu is not also reprehended, as he was no better than the rest. Some answer, that God had passed sentence upon him first. Others maintain, that he spoke with greater dignity of God's judgments, and that his ignorance was blameless; while others remark, that he was connected with some of the three friends, or only came accidentally to enter into the debate. God gives sentence in favour of Job, though with some reproof for his manner of speaking.
As. They had maintained false doctrines, and showed a want of due respect and compassion for their friend; (Tirinus) whereas Job's assertions were true. (Calmet)
How then can he be accused of denying the divine justice, or of speaking disrespectfully of Providence? God seemed to interrogate him on this account, though he approved of his sentiments, because some might draw such inferences from his words as all his friends did. But Job entertained no such ideas. He was not guilty of such folly, ver. 8. Septua...
For in a holy person sojourning in this temporary state, the rule of the divine judgment has still something to judge, though in comparison with the rest of people it has, even now, something to praise. Blessed Job therefore believed that he was scourged for his fault and not as a favor. He considered that his sins were lopped off, not that his merits were increased. He is blamed for imagining that the intention of the scourging was different. Yet this intent is preferred, as seen in the decision of the inward judgment of his friends who opposed him. Hence it is plainly evident how great was his justice in establishing the innocence of his doings against the arguments of his friends, since he is preferred in the divine judgment even to those very persons who defended the divine judgment. - "Morals on the Book of Job 35.9"
9. O Lord, the sentence of Thy judgment declares how much our blindness is at variance with the light of Thine uprightness. Behold, we know that in Thy judgment blessed Job is victorious, whom we believed to have sinned against Thee by his words. In Thy judgment those are condemned, who believed that they surpassed the merits of blessed Job by speaking in Thy behalf. Since then we have learned by the Divine sentence what to think of the parties, let us now examine a little more minutely the words of this sentence. For how is it that blessed Job is blamed above, if, in comparison with his uprightness, his friends are said not to have spoken that which is right before the Lord? Is not this decision concerning him still further confirmed, in which it is said to the ancient enemy, Hast thou seen My servant Job, that there is none like him upon the earth? [Job 1, 8] But what is this, that he is praised to the enemy, and reproved in his own person; reproved in his own person, and yet preferr...
