January 9th
In today’s reading—Job 21–23—Job continues to defend his innocence against the accusations of his friends. In Job 22:6–9, Eliphaz doubles down on his accusations, claiming that Job is wicked, and offers a list of specific misconduct to support his argument. Eliphaz accuses Job of:
- Taking advantage of others in business, even his own brothers.
- Refusing water to the thirsty.
- Withholding bread from the hungry.
- Looking down on the less fortunate.
- Failing to help widows.
These accusations are serious, but we learn later are entirely false (Job 31:16, 22). Job had not committed any of these sins. In chapter 21, Job pointed out that plenty of wicked people prosper and live full lives, refuting that suffering always equates to God’s judgment. He ends chapter 21 by declaring his friends’ claims to be falsehoods. In response to Eliphaz’s claims, Job again proclaims his innocence, saying in Job 23:11, “My foot has held fast to His steps.”
This passage reveals a common truth: when someone is determined to find fault, they will often succeed, even against a righteous person. Eliphaz’s accusations seem to come from a place of assumption or downright lies rather than truth. If one goes looking for negative information about someone, especially a righteous person, there will always be those ready to spread negativity—to gossip.
So, what’s the takeaway? Should we fight back, retaliate, or engage in endless arguments? No. The righteous response is to stand firm in the truth. Like Job, we can acknowledge that the accusations are lies. The righteous find peace knowing their steps align with God’s desires. I try to live life with the understanding that I have an audience of one and that one is God.
The approval of people is temporary, but the approval of God is eternal. If we walk in His ways, we can rest in the assurance of His justice and His peace, no matter what others may say about us.