Loading... Job 15:4 - CASTEST OFF FEAR
Job 15:4 Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God.
This is the second time that Eliphaz is trying to give advice to Job. Eliphaz is one of Job’s friends who came to comfort him during Job’s extreme trials. During this second conversation that Eliphaz has with Job, he starts out by stating that Job has lost his fear of the Lord. In Eliphaz’ mind, because Job is not admitting that he has sinned, Eliphaz has determined that Job does not even know what sin is or he does not care what is a sin against God.
Eliphaz has determined that there is no way that Job could be suffering so much absent he first sinned against God. Because of Eliphaz’ mistaken belief, he is setting himself up to give some faulty advice. Job has refused to admit that this trial he is facing is a result of some secret sin.
Eliphaz is trying to be Job’s conscience. However, Eliphaz has not actually seen Job do anything wrong and he is simply seeing a mess and assuming that it is Job’s fault. This is akin to a car being smashed between two semi-trucks and a driver who comes by the accident 30 minutes later gets out and tells the driver of the car that it is all his fault. Maybe it is the driver of the automobile’s fault, but then again, maybe it is one of the trucker’s fault.
There are those out in the world who are so committed to their secret sin that they refuse to acknowledge that the activities they are doing is sin. Maybe you have met a Christian who claims that it is permissible to commit fornication because both parties are consenting. This individual has lost any fear of the Lord because they are willing to determine for themselves what is a sin and what is not.
Job is not this super sinner that Eliphaz has made him out to be. Eliphaz has drawn a wrong conclusion which has resulted in him making a very strong accusation that Job does not fear the Lord. It would be one thing to ask Job how his relationship with the Lord is, it is a completely different matter to accuse Job of not living in the fear of the Lord.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. When we live in the fear of the Lord, we understand that God is watching us and HE knows our every thought, word, and deed. When we fear the Lord, we understand that God is going to judge us one day and we change our actions to live in conformity with how God desires us to live.
Are you living in the fear of the Lord? It is not easy to allow the things of God to direct your every step. Nonetheless, if you want to be living a life that is totally pleasing to God, you will make decisions that God desires you to make.
Think of a young couple who are deeply in love. This couple will do just about anything to cause the other individual to love them. They will wear certain clothes, they will eat certain food, and they will go to certain events just to demonstrate how much love they have for their partner. That is the attitude we should have towards God; we should study God and understand what is important to HIM and then do those things that are pleasing to HIM.
The world will try to distract you with all sorts of interesting things. Nonetheless, you should keep your eyes on the things of God and allow HIM to direct your paths. It will not be easy putting the things of God first, but if you are patient, it will not be too long before you will experience the rewards of living in the fear of the Lord.