Albert Barnes Commentary Job 5:17

"Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: Therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty." — Job 5:17 (ASV)

Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth — This verse begins a new argument, designed to show that afflictions are followed by such important advantages as to make it proper that we should submit to them without a complaint. The sentiment in this verse, if not expressly quoted, is probably alluded to by the apostle Paul in Hebrews 12:5. The same thought frequently occurs in the Bible: see James 1:12; Proverbs 3:11–12.

The sense is plain: God confers a favor on us when he recalls us from our sins by the corrections of his paternal hand — just as a father confers a favor on a child whom he restrains from sin by suitable correction. Eliphaz proceeds to state at length the way in which this is done. He does it in most beautiful language and in a manner entirely in accordance with the sentiments that occur elsewhere in the Bible. The word translated “correcteth” (יכח yâkach) means to argue, convince, reprove, punish, and to judge.

It here refers to any of the ways by which God calls people from their sins and leads them to walk in the paths of virtue. The word “happy” here means that the condition of such a one is blessed (אשׁרי 'ēshrēy); Greek μακάριος makarios — not that there is happiness in the suffering. The sense is that it is a favor when God recalls his friends from their wanderings and from the error of their ways, rather than allowing them to go on to ruin.

One who shows me a precipice where I am in danger of falling does me a kindness; one who, even with force, saves me from flames that would devour me, puts me in his debt.

Eliphaz undoubtedly means to imply that Job had been guilty of transgression and that God had taken this method to recall him from the error of his ways. He seems never once to doubt that Job had sinned and that these calamities had come as a consequence. Yet, he supposes that the affliction was meant in kindness and proceeds to state that if Job would receive it in a proper manner, it might still be attended with important benefits.

Therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty — “Do not regret (תמאס tı̂m'ās). Septuagint, μή ἀπανάινου mē apanainou — the means that God is using to admonish you.” There is undoubtedly a direct allusion here to the feelings Job had expressed (Job 3). The object of Eliphaz is to show him that there were important benefits to be derived from affliction that should make him willing to bear it without complaining.

Job had exhibited, as Eliphaz thought, a disposition to reject the lessons that afflictions were designed to teach him and to spurn the admonitions of the Almighty. Eliphaz wished to recall him from that state of mind and impress upon him the truth that such advantages were to be derived from these afflictions as should make him willing to endure all that was laid upon him without a complaint.