Job 22

22:1–26:14 In this third round of speeches, Job’s friends explicitly accuse Job of being among the wicked and sharing their fate.

22:2-3 Eliphaz did not understand that God would gain pleasure from Job’s righteousness (1:8; 2:3), as he does from every righteous person (1 Chr 29:17; Ps 147:10-11; Prov 11:1, 20; 12:22). God would also gain glory from Job’s steadfast faith, which emphasized the lie behind Satan’s challenge (Job 1:9-12; 2:4-6). • Job steadfastly claimed that he was perfect (23:10-12), as did God himself (1:1, 8; 2:3).

22:6 Demanding clothing as security for lent money was forbidden by the law and condemned by the prophets (Exod 22:26-27; Deut 24:10-13; Ezek 18:7-8; Amos 2:8). In contrast, Job had provided clothing for the poor (Job 31:19-20).

22:9 The Old Testament gives Israel the responsibility of caring for widows and orphans (Deut 10:18; 14:29) and repeatedly condemns their neglect as the worst of social evils (Exod 22:22-24; Deut 27:19). Job agreed that it was wicked (Job 24:3, 21) but claimed that he was innocent (29:12-13; 31:16-18, 21).

22:12-14 That’s why: Job had not claimed that God can’t see, but others have (Pss 10:11; 73:11; 94:7).

22:18 I will have nothing to do with that kind of thinking: Eliphaz threw Job’s words back at him (21:16b).

22:19-20 The righteous will be happy to see the wicked destroyed: They will be glad to see justice done and injustices avenged (see also Ps 58:10-11; Rev 19:1-4). Eliphaz’s sentiment neglected God’s desire that sinful people repent (see Ezek 33:11).

22:22 The term instructions (Hebrew torah, “law,” Deut 17:11), used in Job only here, frequently refers to the Pentateuch (Genesis—Deuteronomy). • Listen . . . store: See Deut 4:1-2; 6:6-9; Ps 119:11; Prov 2:1-9. Job had done this (Job 23:12).

22:23 return to the Almighty: Bildad (8:5-6) and Zophar (11:13-14) had already misapplied this biblical principle (Isa 55:6-7; Hos 14:1-2; Zech 1:3; Acts 26:20), and now Eliphaz also misapplies it.

22:24 precious gold (literally Ophir): Ophir was probably located in southern Arabia (see 1 Kgs 9:28; 22:48). The gold of Ophir was the standard in fine gold (Isa 13:12); queens wore it at weddings (Ps 45:9).

22:25 God promises to be his people’s treasure (Ps 16:5; Isa 33:6; Matt 19:21; Mark 10:21); although they possess nothing, they will be rich (2 Cor 6:10; Jas 2:5).

22:27 Ironically, Job will pray, God will hear, and Eliphaz will reap the benefits (42:8). • you will fulfill your vows: Vows were often stimulated by repentance and forgiveness (Hos 14:2; Jon 1:16; 2:9) and when seeking divine intervention (Judg 11:29-40; 1 Sam 1:1-28). Vows are binding (Num 30:2; Deut 23:23; Pss 22:25; 61:5, 8; 116:14, 18; Eccl 5:4-5).

22:29 This difficult text probably conveys the effectiveness of a righteous man’s prayer. The principle (Pss 34:15, 17; 145:18; Prov 15:8, 29; Jas 5:16) is illustrated throughout Scripture (see, e.g., Gen 18:23-32; 19:29; 20:7, 17; 32:28; Exod 9:28-32; 17:11; 32:10-14; Rom 5:19).