Eliphaz the Temanite, or what I thought was Termite, speaks kind words to Job. In Chapter 4, he tells Job to remember all the good things he has done in his life and that God would never punish him. Eliphaz believes that if you live a good life God will give you good things. If you live a bad life, God will give you bad things. This theology makes sense, but unfortunately isn't how things work.
For me, if this is how Christianity functioned, I would get it. You do good, you get good. You do bad, you get bad. And I'm not talking about in the afterlife. I'm talking about now. Do-gooders get stuff now. Not later, but now. My driveway would have a nice Corvette in it. I would have a house that has a driveway to put my Corvette in it. I'd be financially secure. I'd have a wonderful family. Basically, I'd win the lottery and want to have everything.
But alas, spiritual riches are only given in heaven. In the meantime, I must be content with what I have. Not an easy task when the non-Believe lifestyle looks so much more fun.
Eliphaz appears to be a good friend. He encourages and his words can be uplifting to someone who is questioning God. Then he goes on to say that he was visited by a spirit, probably an angel. In this dream/vision, the spirit asks him if man can be more righteous than God. Ouch!
Now Eliphaz is turning the blame on Job. I think that he now thinks that Job believes he is holier than God and should repent. Damn! I thought Eliphaz was a good friend. He's like one of those friends that uses any of your bad occasions to promote how holy he or she is. While that's great for them to brag, it doesn't really help you out in your walk with God. It just makes you feel bad.
So I guess, in that sense, Eliphaz is like a termite. He may seem harmless at first, but damage is done over time and he wears you away until you have no support in your self-esteem.
At least Job has two other friends, right?
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