This is the beginning of Eliphaz’s reply to Job’s lament and circumstances. Though there is some wisdom in what he says, there is also some incorrect/incomplete theology.
” ‘Remember: who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off? As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same. By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of his anger they are consumed. “‘Can mortal man be in the right before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker? Even in his servants he puts no trust, and his angels he charges with error; how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed like the moth.” ‘ ” (v7-9,17-19)
Eliphaz has incomplete (and incorrect) theology. First, he assumes that only the innocent prosper, and only the sinful (“those who plow iniquity”) are punished (by the way, by saying this he’s implying that Job has sinned, and his circumstances are a result of that, which we know is false).
Second, he quotes a word he received in a vision, that challenges whether or not mankind (and even the angels/demons) can be found blameless in God’s sight. He seems to imply that none are worthy before God, which is correct, but then he doesn’t add in God’s plan and desire for sanctification and reconciliation of mankind to Himself. Eliphaz leaves us hanging without hope here.
Paul agrees with Eliphaz that all people are sinful from birth and deserving of God’s wrath: “…we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” (Eph 2:3)
The main problem with Eliphaz’s conclusion is, all people suffer general consequences of mankind’s sin, whether they are reconciled to God (innocent) or not (sinful). Jesus says: “For [God] makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Mt 5:45b) Jesus implies that all people are treated “equally” when it comes to general blessings (and inversely, general curses/consequences as well).
So, if Eliphaz is wrong and even the innocent are allowed to suffer, why would a God of love allow such a thing? Here’s one of the clues Jesus gives us: “As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.’ ” (Jn 9:1-3)
In the face of COVID-19, everyone in the world is suffering – physically, emotionally, or spiritually, to one extent or another, all have been affected. Some of these people are “innocent”, and some of these people are “sinful”, but all are affected. Why has God allowed this? Perhaps God wants His mighty works to be displayed, or perhaps He wants to encourage people to repent and return to Him, or perhaps some other reason that is beyond my level of understanding. Regardless of why God has allowed this, it’s clear that none are spared from the general consequences of sin in this world.
I want to encourage us in this: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33) Jesus forewarned us there would be many challenges ahead, but we know these are merely stepping stones on the pathway to an eternity with Him. We also have peace (of mind and spirit) available to us, when we put our full trust in Him.
Father God, our Sovereign King, great and mighty are Your works. Father we praise Your holy name for Your steadfast love endures forever. Thank you for being with us in the midst of great suffering, and thank you for sheltering us from evil as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Father we may not know or understand Your plans, but we fully trust in Your sovereign will, and we seek to glorify You in these times of trouble. In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer we ask for You to redeem all the people of this earth, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training