Job 22:21

Earlier today, a friend showed me a bookmark sized statement of faith from a local church. The statement was a list of Bible verses all intended to support the belief in the “prosperity gospel.” My friend thought it ironic that the list started with Job 22:21. This verse reads, “Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.” (Today's New International Version)


In the Book of Job, this is a statement by one of Job’s “friends,” Eliphaz the Temanite. Job’s friends try to explain Job’s loss of God’s favor by some sin that Job has committed. Job is unconvinced and uncomforted by the arguments of his friends. In the end, both Job and his friends are silenced by the mighty voice of God, speaking out of the storm.

In the epilogue, God delivers his judgment on the “wisdom” of Job’s friends.

Job 42:7 After the LORD had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. 8 So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has." 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the LORD told them; and the LORD accepted Job's prayer. (Today's New International Version)

It seems ironic that any Christian would view the “folly” of Eliphaz as a foundation of their faith. I prefer the Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." (Today's New International Version)

AMEN.