Job 5:18
For He wounds, but He also binds; He strikes, but His hands also heal.
For He wounds
The Hebrew word for "wounds" here is "makah," which implies a deliberate act of striking or inflicting pain. In the context of Job, this phrase acknowledges God's sovereignty and His role in allowing suffering. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine retribution and discipline. Theologically, it suggests that God permits trials as a means of refining and testing faith, much like a loving father disciplines a child for their growth and betterment.

but He also binds
The term "binds" comes from the Hebrew "chabash," which means to bandage or heal. This phrase highlights God's dual role as both the one who allows affliction and the one who provides comfort and restoration. In the ancient world, binding wounds was a common practice, symbolizing care and healing. Scripturally, this reflects God's compassionate nature, as seen in passages like Psalm 147:3, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." It reassures believers that God's intention is not to harm but to ultimately restore and heal.

He strikes
The word "strikes" is translated from the Hebrew "nakah," similar to "makah," emphasizing the act of smiting or inflicting a blow. This phrase reinforces the idea of God's active involvement in the trials of life. Historically, this reflects the belief that God is just and that His actions, though sometimes severe, are purposeful. It serves as a reminder that God's discipline is not arbitrary but is part of His divine plan for growth and maturity in faith.

but His hands also heal
The phrase "His hands also heal" uses the Hebrew "rapha," meaning to restore or make whole. This imagery of God's hands conveys intimacy and personal care, suggesting that God is not distant but actively involved in the healing process. In the biblical context, healing is not just physical but also spiritual and emotional. This phrase assures believers of God's ultimate purpose to bring about wholeness and restoration, aligning with the broader biblical narrative of redemption and renewal.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man of great faith and patience, who endured immense suffering and loss. The book of Job explores his trials and his conversations with friends about the nature of suffering and God's justice.

2. Eliphaz the Temanite
One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. In this chapter, Eliphaz is speaking, offering his perspective on God's role in human suffering and healing.

3. Teman
A region in Edom, known for its wise men. Eliphaz, being a Temanite, is considered to be wise and knowledgeable.

4. God
The central figure in the book of Job, whose sovereignty and justice are explored through Job's trials and the dialogues with his friends.

5. Suffering and Healing
The dual themes of this verse, highlighting the belief that God is both the source of affliction and the healer.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Suffering and Healing
Recognize that God is in control of both the trials we face and the healing we receive. Trust in His ultimate plan and purpose for our lives.

The Dual Nature of God's Work
Understand that God's actions may involve both discipline and restoration. His wounds are not without purpose, and His healing is a testament to His love and mercy.

Faith in Times of Trial
Maintain faith and patience during difficult times, knowing that God is both the author of our trials and the source of our healing.

The Role of Community in Healing
Like Job's friends, we are called to support and comfort those who are suffering, while also pointing them to the hope of God's healing.

The Importance of Repentance and Return
Embrace the call to return to God in times of distress, trusting that He will bind up our wounds and restore us.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's sovereignty over both wounding and healing affect your perspective on personal suffering?

2. In what ways can you see God's healing hand in your life after a period of trial or discipline?

3. How can the account of Job and the words of Eliphaz encourage you to support others who are going through difficult times?

4. What other biblical examples can you find where God uses suffering to bring about a greater purpose or healing?

5. How can you apply the principle of returning to God for healing in your daily walk with Him?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 32:39
This verse speaks of God's sovereignty over life and death, wounding and healing, similar to the themes in Job 5:18.

Hosea 6:1
This passage calls people to return to the Lord, acknowledging that He has torn us but will heal us, paralleling the message of restoration in Job 5:18.

Isaiah 30:26
This verse describes a time of healing and restoration, where the Lord binds up the wounds of His people, echoing the healing aspect of Job 5:18.
Refuge from Trouble in the Thought of GodE. Johnson Job 5:8-27
Afflictions SanctifiedAlbert H. Currier.Job 5:17-18
Afflictions SanctifiedD. J. Burrell, D. D.Job 5:17-18
Benefits of AfflictionsJob 5:17-18
Chastening not to be DespisedJ. Caryl.Job 5:17-18
Divine Chastisement Conducive to HappinessW. Mudge.Job 5:17-18
God's Merciful Chastening of His ChildrenJ. H. Evans.Job 5:17-18
HappinessJ. M'Cann, D. D.Job 5:17-18
Happy Under Divine CorrectionsJ. Caryl.Job 5:17-18
The Afflictions of the GoodHomilistJob 5:17-18
The Blessedness of the Divine CorrectionR. Green Job 5:17-23
People
Job
Places
Uz
Topics
Bindeth, Binds, Comfort, Gives, Hands, Heal, Inflicts, Injures, Maketh, Pain, Punishment, Relief, Smites, Smiteth, Sore, Woundeth, Wounding, Wounds
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 5:18

     5298   doctors

Job 5:17-18

     5285   cures
     8231   discipline, divine

Library
December 3 Morning
I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause.--JOB 5:8. Is anything too hard for the Lord?--Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.--Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.--Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

The Peaceable Fruits of Sorrows Rightly Borne
'Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: 18. For He maketh sore, and bindeth up: He woundeth, and His hands make whole. 19. He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. 20. In famine He shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword. 21. Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh. 22. At destruction and famine
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Death of the Christian
This morning, we shall consider the death of Christians in general; not of the aged Christian merely, for we shall show you that while this text does seem to bear upon the aged Christian, in reality it speaks with a loud voice to every man who is a believer. "Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season." There are four things we shall mark in the text. First, we shall consider that death is inevitable, because it says, "Thou shalt come." Secondly, that
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

"There is Therefore Now no Condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. "
Rom. viii. 1.--"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." There are three things which concur to make man miserable,--sin, condemnation, and affliction. Every one may observe that "man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward," that his days here are few and evil. He possesses "months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed" for him. Job v. 6, 7, vii. 3. He "is of few days and full of trouble," Job xiv.
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Christian Struggling under Great and Heavy Affliction.
1. Here it is advised--that afflictions should only be expected.--2. That the righteous hand of God should be acknowledged in them when they come.--3. That they should be borne with patience.--4. That the divine conduct in them should be cordially approved.--5. That thankfulness should be maintained in the midst of trials.--6. That the design of afflictions should be diligently inquired into, and all proper assistance taken in discovering it.--7. That, when it is discovered, it should humbly be complied
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

Letter xxxii (A. D. 1132) to Thurstan, Archbishop of York
To Thurstan, Archbishop of York Bernard praises his charity and beneficence towards the Religious. To the very dear father and Reverend Lord Thurstan, by the Grace of God Archbishop of York, Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, wishes the fullest health. The general good report of men, as I have experienced, has said nothing in your favour which the splendour of your good works does not justify. Your actions, in fact, show that your high reputation, which fame had previously spread everywhere, was neither
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Whether we Ought to Pray to God Alone?
Objection 1: It would seem that we ought to pray to God alone. Prayer is an act of religion, as stated above [3016](A[3]). But God alone is to be worshiped by religion. Therefore we should pray to God alone. Objection 2: Further, it is useless to pray to one who is ignorant of the prayer. But it belongs to God alone to know one's prayer, both because frequently prayer is uttered by an interior act which God alone knows, rather than by words, according to the saying of the Apostle (1 Cor. 14:15),
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether we Ought to Call Upon the Saints to Pray for Us?
Objection 1: It would seem that we ought not to call upon the saints to pray for us. For no man asks anyone's friends to pray for him, except in so far as he believes he will more easily find favor with them. But God is infinitely more merciful than any saint, and consequently His will is more easily inclined to give us a gracious hearing, than the will of a saint. Therefore it would seem unnecessary to make the saints mediators between us and God, that they may intercede for us. Objection 2: Further,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether it is Lawful to Imprison a Man?
Objection 1: It would seem unlawful to imprison a man. An act which deals with undue matter is evil in its genus, as stated above ([2910]FS, Q[18], A[2]). Now man, having a free-will, is undue matter for imprisonment which is inconsistent with free-will. Therefore it is unlawful to imprison a man. Objection 2: Further, human justice should be ruled by Divine justice. Now according to Ecclus. 15:14, "God left man in the hand of his own counsel." Therefore it seems that a man ought not to be coerced
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Beatitudes are Suitably Enumerated?
Objection 1: It would seem that the beatitudes are unsuitably enumerated. For the beatitudes are assigned to the gifts, as stated above (A[1], ad 1). Now some of the gifts, viz. wisdom and understanding, belong to the contemplative life: yet no beatitude is assigned to the act of contemplation, for all are assigned to matters connected with the active life. Therefore the beatitudes are insufficiently enumerated. Objection 2: Further, not only do the executive gifts belong to the active life, but
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Envy is a Kind of Sorrow?
Objection 1: It would seem that envy is not a kind of sorrow. For the object of envy is a good, for Gregory says (Moral. v, 46) of the envious man that "self-inflicted pain wounds the pining spirit, which is racked by the prosperity of another." Therefore envy is not a kind of sorrow. Objection 2: Further, likeness is a cause, not of sorrow but rather of pleasure. But likeness is a cause of envy: for the Philosopher says (Rhet. ii, 10): "Men are envious of such as are like them in genus, in knowledge,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Envy is a Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that envy is not a mortal sin. For since envy is a kind of sorrow, it is a passion of the sensitive appetite. Now there is no mortal sin in the sensuality, but only in the reason, as Augustine declares (De Trin. xii, 12) [*Cf. [2644]FS, Q[74], A[4]]. Therefore envy is not a mortal sin. Objection 2: Further, there cannot be mortal sin in infants. But envy can be in them, for Augustine says (Confess. i): "I myself have seen and known even a baby envious, it could not speak,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether all Anger is a Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that all anger is a mortal sin. For it is written (Job 5:2): "Anger killeth the foolish man [*Vulg.: 'Anger indeed killeth the foolish']," and he speaks of the spiritual killing, whence mortal sin takes its name. Therefore all anger is a mortal sin. Objection 2: Further, nothing save mortal sin is deserving of eternal condemnation. Now anger deserves eternal condemnation; for our Lord said (Mat. 5:22): "Whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment":
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Particular Punishments of Our First Parents are Suitably Appointed in Scripture?
Objection 1: It would seem that the particular punishments of our first parents are unsuitably appointed in Scripture. For that which would have occurred even without sin should not be described as a punishment for sin. Now seemingly there would have been "pain in child-bearing," even had there been no sin: for the disposition of the female sex is such that offspring cannot be born without pain to the bearer. Likewise the "subjection of woman to man" results from the perfection of the male, and the
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Sin Has a Cause?
Objection 1: It would seem that sin has no cause. For sin has the nature of evil, as stated above ([1760]Q[71], A[6]). But evil has no cause, as Dionysius says (Div. Nom. iv). Therefore sin has no cause. Objection 2: Further, a cause is that from which something follows of necessity. Now that which is of necessity, seems to be no sin, for every sin is voluntary. Therefore sin has no cause. Objection 3: Further, if sin has a cause, this cause is either good or evil. It is not a good, because good
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Afflictions and Death under Providence. Job 5:6-8.
Afflictions and death under Providence. Job 5:6-8. Not from the dust affliction grows, Nor troubles rise by chance; Yet we are born to cares and woes; A sad inheritance! As sparks break out from burning coals, And still are upwards borne So grief is rooted in our souls, And man grows lip to mourn. Yet with my God I leave my cause, And trust his promised grace; He rules me by his well-known laws Of love and righteousness. Not all the pains that e'er I bore Shall spoil my future peace, For death
Isaac Watts—The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts

'All Things are Yours'
'They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.'--JUDGES v. 20. 'For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.'--Job v. 23. These two poetical fragments present the same truth on opposite sides. The first of them comes from Deborah's triumphant chant. The singer identifies God with the cause of Israel, and declares that heaven itself fought against those who fought against God's people. There may be
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

2 Sam. 23:4-5. Without Clouds.
[13] "He shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun rises, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springeth out of the earth by clear shining after rain. Although my house be not so with God; yet He hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although He make it not to grow."--2 Sam. 23:4-5. THE text which heads this page is taken from a chapter which ought to be very interesting to every Christian.
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Question Lxxxiii of Prayer
I. Is Prayer an Act of the Appetitive Powers? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer based on Friendship II. Is it Fitting to Pray? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer as a True Cause S. Augustine, On the Sermon on the Mount, II. iii. 14 " On the Gift of Perseverance, vii. 15 III. Is Prayer an Act of the Virtue of Religion? Cardinal Cajetan, On the Humility of Prayer S. Augustine, On Psalm cii. 10 " Of the Gift of Perseverance, xvi. 39 IV. Ought We to Pray to God Alone? S. Augustine, Sermon, cxxvii. 2 V.
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
Since every revealed purpose of God, implying that obedience to his law will be given, is a demand of that obedience, the announcement of his Covenant, as in his sovereignty decreed, claims, not less effectively than an explicit law, the fulfilment of its duties. A representation of a system of things pre-determined in order that the obligations of the Covenant might be discharged; various exhibitions of the Covenant as ordained; and a description of the children of the Covenant as predestinated
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Directions to Awakened Sinners.
Acts ix. 6. Acts ix. 6. And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do. THESE are the words of Saul, who also is called Paul, (Acts xiii. 9,) when he was stricken to the ground as he was going to Damascus; and any one who had looked upon him in his present circumstances and knew nothing more of him than that view, in comparison with his past life, could have given, would have imagined him one of the most miserable creatures that ever lived upon earth, and would have expected
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

The Figurative Language of Scripture.
1. When the psalmist says: "The Lord God is a sun and shield" (Psa. 84:11), he means that God is to all his creatures the source of life and blessedness, and their almighty protector; but this meaning he conveys under the figure of a sun and a shield. When, again, the apostle James says that Moses is read in the synagogues every Sabbath-day (Acts 15:21), he signifies the writings of Moses under the figure of his name. In these examples the figure lies in particular words. But it may be embodied
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

A Believer's Privilege at Death
'For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.' Phil 1:1I. Hope is a Christian's anchor, which he casts within the veil. Rejoicing in hope.' Rom 12:12. A Christian's hope is not in this life, but he hash hope in his death.' Prov 14:42. The best of a saint's comfort begins when his life ends; but the wicked have all their heaven here. Woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.' Luke 6:64. You may make your acquittance, and write Received in full payment.' Son, remember that
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
In order accurately to understand the position of woman in Israel, it is only necessary carefully to peruse the New Testament. The picture of social life there presented gives a full view of the place which she held in private and in public life. Here we do not find that separation, so common among Orientals at all times, but a woman mingles freely with others both at home and abroad. So far from suffering under social inferiority, she takes influential and often leading part in all movements, specially
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

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