Job 22:1
French (La Bible expliquée)
Alors Élifaz de Téman prit la parole et dit à Job: Début de la troisième série d'interventions des amis de Job. Les méchants déclarent que Dieu est inutile (21.14-15). Élifaz rétorque que l'être humain est inutile à Dieu. Mais s'il est vrai que Dieu ne tire aucun profit de la bonne conduite des humains, Job a donc raison de dire que la faute n'atteint pas Dieu. Or, si la faute n'atteint pas Dieu, pourquoi celui-ci sanctionnerait-il les actions humaines? On remarquera que les trois visiteurs parlent de Dieu sans s'adresser à lui, tandis que Job n'hésite pas à parler à Dieu.
What Does This Mean?
In this verse, Eliphaz the Temanite begins to speak in response to Job. This marks the start of Eliphaz's argument against Job, suggesting that his suffering might be due to his sins.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're playing with your friends and one of your friends falls and hurts their knee. Another friend, Eliphaz, might say, 'Maybe you were running too fast and that's why you fell.' Eliphaz is trying to figure out why Job is hurting so much.
Historical Background
The Book of Job is part of the Old Testament and is believed to have been written around 2000 years ago. It was likely written by someone familiar with the ancient Near East and its cultural practices. The audience was the Israelites, who were struggling with the questions of suffering and divine justice.
Living It Out Today
Imagine you're going through a tough time and a friend suggests you might be suffering because you've made some mistakes. This can be a difficult thing to hear, but it can also help you reflect on your actions and how they might impact your life.
Topics
sufferingfriendshipjusticesinreflectioncomfort
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Eliphaz responding to Job?
Eliphaz is responding because he believes he has insight into why Job is suffering, which is part of a larger conversation about the reasons behind suffering and divine justice.
What is Eliphaz's perspective on Job's suffering?
Eliphaz seems to believe that Job's suffering might be a result of his own wrongdoing, and he is trying to convince Job of this viewpoint.
How does this verse relate to the broader themes of the book of Job?
This verse marks the beginning of Eliphaz's arguments against Job, which are central to exploring the themes of suffering and divine justice in the book.
What can we learn from Eliphaz's response?
We can learn the importance of empathy and the complexity of human suffering. Eliphaz's response, while well-intentioned, shows how people can often struggle to understand the reasons behind someone else's pain.