Like Don Quixote
Who do we blame when things go wrong for us?
Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered: "Call now; is there anyone who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn? Surely vexation kills the fool, and jealousy slays the simple. I have seen fools taking root, but suddenly I cursed their dwelling. Their children are far from safety, they are crushed in the gate, and there is no one to deliver them. The hungry eat their harvest, and they take it even out of the thorns; and the thirsty pant after their wealth. For misery does not come from the earth, nor does trouble sprout from the ground; but human beings are born to trouble just as sparks fly upward. "As for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause. He does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number. He gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields; he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. "How happy is the one whom God reproves; therefore do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he binds up; he strikes, but his hands heal. He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no harm shall touch you. In famine he will redeem you from death, and in war from the power of the sword. You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes. You shall come to your grave in ripe old age, as a shock of grain comes up to the threshing floor in its season. See, we have searched this out; it is true. Hear, and know it for yourself." - Job 4:1, 5:1-11, 17-22, 26-27
The name Eliphaz means "God is Gold". In the Book of Job, Eliphaz represents the belief that all that is evil or unjust in the world comes from man and not from God.
If something has happened to Job, it must be Job's fault, so it is up to Job to make it right.
God is just and will bring about redemption for anyone who comes to Him.
So, it is Eliphaz's position that Job should accept what has happened to him and seek God's forgiveness, even though Job has no idea what it is he has done wrong.
I can see why Job would be upset.
It is one thing to be punished for something you know you did wrong, but quite another to accept that punishment or plead guilty for something you didn't do.
Eliphaz is that voice in our heads that tells us we should have known better. We should have done a better job. We should have been more devoted to God.
Accept the situation as being our fault and move on.
Job isn't ready to give up without a fight. He wants to know what he has done to deserve this, and we can understand that feeling.
Don't we rail against God when horrible things happen to us?
Don't we expect good things for those who are good and bad things for those who are bad?
Maybe that is an unreasonable assumption on our part. The world doesn't balance itself out that way.
Justice is elusive.
Perhaps the fight for justice is like tilting against windmills.
More to come...