Matthew Henry Commentary Job 5:17-27

"Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: Therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty. For he maketh sore, and bindeth up; He woundeth, and his hands make whole. He will deliver thee in six troubles; Yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. In famine he will redeem thee from death; And in war from the power of the sword. Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue; Neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh. At destruction and dearth thou shalt laugh; Neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth. For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field; And the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee. And thou shalt know that thy tent is in peace; And thou shalt visit thy fold, and shalt miss nothing. Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, And thine offspring as the grass of the earth. Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, Like as a shock of grain cometh in in its season. Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; Hear it, and know thou it for thy good." — Job 5:17-27 (ASV)

Eliphaz gives Job a word of caution and exhortation: Despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty. Call it a chastening, which comes from the Father's love and is for the child's good; and notice it as a messenger from Heaven. Eliphaz also encourages Job to submit to his condition. A good man is happy even though he is afflicted, for he has not lost his enjoyment of God, nor his title to heaven; indeed, he is happy because he is afflicted.

Correction mortifies his corruptions, weans his heart from the world, draws him nearer to God, brings him to his Bible, brings him to his knees. Though God wounds, yet he supports his people under afflictions and in due time delivers them. Making a wound is sometimes part of a cure. Eliphaz gives Job precious promises of what God would do for him if he humbled himself.

Whatever troubles good men may be in, these troubles will do them no real harm. Being kept from sin, they are kept from the evil of trouble. And if the servants of Christ are not delivered from outward troubles, they are delivered by them, and while overcome by one trouble, they conquer all. Whatever is maliciously said against them will not hurt them.

They will have wisdom and grace to manage their concerns. The greatest blessing, both in our work and in our enjoyments, is to be kept from sin. They will finish their course with joy and honour. That man lives long enough who has done his work and is fit for another world. It is a mercy to die seasonably, as the grain is cut and stored when fully ripe; not until then, but then not allowed to stand any longer.

Our times are in God's hands; it is well that they are so. Believers are not to expect great wealth, long life, or to be free from trials. But all will be ordered for the best. And note from Job's history that steadiness of mind and heart under trial is one of the highest attainments of faith. There is little exercise for faith when all things go well.

But if God raises a storm, permits the enemy to send wave after wave, and seemingly stands aloof from our prayers, then, to still hold fast and trust God when we cannot trace him, this is the patience of the saints. Blessed Saviour! How sweet it is to look to You, the Author and Finisher of faith, in such moments!