Eliphaz

Eliphaz gets a bad rap for being one of Jobs miserable comforters. Although he certainly misjudged Job he nevertheless had some profound insights into the nature of both God and man. Eliphaz is the first of Job's friends to speak to him and his initial speech is recorded in chapters 4 and 5. His encouragement in 5:17 is taken to be good advice by the New Testament author of Hebrews who quotes Eliphaz: "do not despise the discipline of the Almighty." Eliphaz is often quoted for his saying in Job 5:7: "Yet man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward." He has a high view of God: "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted" (5:9) He gives practical advice: "But if it were I, I would appeal to God; I would lay my case before him" (5:8), and "We have examined this, and it is true. So hear it and apply it to yourself."

Just as Eliphaz misjudged Job and failed to appreciate his integrity and uprightness so we may misjudge Eliphaz and fail to appreciate his wisdom and experience. We all make errors of judgment but no one deserves to be viewed entirely through the prism of their mistakes. Life is just not that simple.