This week we turn to the “comforting” words of the first of Job’s friends – Eliphaz the Temanite. Eliphaz says a lot of true things and yet is utterly false. In that, there is much to learn! He ultimately preaches something very similar to our modern concept of “The Prosperity Gospel”, a false gospel that is actually bad news when the faithful suffer!

Scripture Reference

Job 4-7, 15-17, 22

Complementary Reading: Psalm 46

Sermon Audio

Sermon Notes

True Hope Amidst Suffering Is Only Found in Christ

• Eliphaz Offers Job False Hope
  • Good things happen to good people, bad things to bad people (chapter 4) – ignorant of the cross and God’s ultimate justice
  • Seek God! (chapter 5) – Great advice built on a false assumption
  • Job’s misery (chapters 6-7)
  • Eliphaz piles on to the sufferer after he rejects works-based hope (chapter 15)
• Reject the Empty Hope of the Prosperity Gospel!
  • Eliphaz’s logic is that of many human systems invented to save oneself
  • It is ignorant of the suffering of Christ
  • It adds a terrible burden to those already suffering (chapters 16, 17, and 22)
• Embrace the Hope of Christ’s Cross
  • Our true hope is actually in the suffering and death of the innocent Son of God
  • God will provide ultimate justice and comfort