Job 15:24
Distress and anguish terrify him, overwhelming him like a king poised to attack.
Distress and anguish
The Hebrew words for "distress" (צָרָה, tsarah) and "anguish" (מְצוּקָה, metsuqah) convey a deep sense of trouble and pressure. In the context of Job, these terms reflect the intense emotional and spiritual turmoil that can afflict a person. Historically, these words are often used in the Old Testament to describe the plight of those who are oppressed or in dire circumstances. From a conservative Christian perspective, this can be seen as a reflection of the human condition in a fallen world, where sin and suffering are prevalent. The believer is reminded of the need for reliance on God during times of distress, as He is the ultimate source of comfort and deliverance.

terrify him
The Hebrew root for "terrify" (בָּעַת, ba'at) suggests a sudden and overwhelming fear. This fear is not just a mild concern but a profound terror that grips the heart. In the narrative of Job, this terror can be seen as the fear of divine judgment or the overwhelming nature of life's trials. For the Christian, this serves as a reminder of the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). It also points to the importance of faith in God, who can calm our fears and provide peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7).

overwhelming him
The imagery here is of being completely surrounded or engulfed. The Hebrew word (תְּשָׁעֵר, tesha'er) implies being besieged or overpowered. This can be likened to the spiritual battles that believers face, where the forces of darkness seek to overwhelm and defeat. However, the Christian is encouraged by the truth that God is our fortress and deliverer (Psalm 18:2), and that in Christ, we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).

like a king poised to attack
The comparison to a king ready for battle evokes a sense of imminent and powerful threat. In ancient times, a king leading an army was a formidable force, symbolizing authority and might. This phrase can be understood as the relentless nature of trials and temptations that seek to dominate our lives. Yet, for the believer, it also serves as a reminder of the ultimate King, Jesus Christ, who has already won the victory over sin and death. Christians are called to stand firm in this victory, knowing that the battle belongs to the Lord (1 Samuel 17:47).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Eliphaz the Temanite
One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him but ends up accusing him of wrongdoing. In this chapter, Eliphaz is speaking.

2. Job
The central figure of the Book of Job, known for his suffering and endurance. He is the one being addressed by Eliphaz.

3. Teman
A place associated with wisdom, often linked to the region of Edom. Eliphaz is identified as a Temanite, suggesting he is a man of wisdom and understanding.

4. Distress and Anguish
These are personified in this verse as forces that terrify and overwhelm, symbolizing the intense emotional and spiritual turmoil faced by the wicked, according to Eliphaz.

5. King Poised to Attack
This imagery is used to describe the sudden and overwhelming nature of the distress that comes upon the wicked, as perceived by Eliphaz.
Teaching Points
Understanding Misplaced Accusations
Eliphaz wrongly assumes Job's suffering is due to his sin. We must be cautious not to judge others' suffering without understanding their situation.

The Reality of Distress
Distress and anguish are real and can feel overwhelming. Recognizing this can help us empathize with others in their suffering.

God's Sovereignty in Suffering
While Eliphaz attributes suffering to personal sin, the broader account of Job shows that God is sovereign and has purposes beyond human understanding.

The Importance of Compassionate Support
Eliphaz's approach lacks compassion. We should strive to support others with empathy and understanding, rather than judgment.

Preparation for Spiritual Battles
Just as a king prepares for battle, we should prepare spiritually for times of distress by grounding ourselves in faith and scripture.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Eliphaz's perspective on suffering differ from the overall message of the Book of Job?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are offering compassionate support to those who are suffering, rather than judgment?

3. How can the imagery of a "king poised to attack" help us understand the suddenness of life's challenges?

4. What other biblical examples can you find where distress and anguish are used to describe the human experience, and how do they provide comfort or warning?

5. How can we prepare ourselves spiritually to face times of distress and anguish, according to biblical teachings?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 18:4-5
This passage also speaks of distress and anguish, using similar imagery to describe the overwhelming nature of these emotions.

Proverbs 1:27
This verse warns of calamity coming like a storm, which parallels the suddenness and intensity of the distress described in Job 15:24.

Isaiah 8:22
This passage describes a time of distress and darkness, connecting to the theme of overwhelming anguish.

Matthew 24:6-8
Jesus speaks of distress and turmoil in the end times, which can be related to the overwhelming nature of distress described by Eliphaz.

1 Thessalonians 5:3
Paul warns of sudden destruction coming upon those who are unprepared, similar to the imagery of a king poised to attack.
The Consequences of Evil-DoingR. Green Job 15:20-30
Warnings from the Wisdom of ExperienceE. Johnson Job 15:20-35
People
Eliphaz, Job
Places
Uz
Topics
Adversity, Afraid, Anguish, Attack, Battle, Boaster, Dark, Distress, Fear, Fill, Greatly, Overcome, Overpower, Overwhelm, Pain, Poised, Prepared, Prevail, Ready, Terrify, Terror, Trouble
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 15:20-24

     8829   superstition

Job 15:20-26

     8672   striving with God

Job 15:20-35

     6024   sin, effects of

Job 15:24-25

     8713   discouragement

Library
July 26 Evening
Give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.--PSA. 97:12. The heavens are not clean in his sight. How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?--Yea, the stars are not pure in his sight. How much less man, that is a worm? Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness?--Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts. As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy;
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

Restraining Prayer: is it Sin?
"Thou restrainest prayer before God."--JOB xv. 4. "What profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?"--JOB xxi. 15. "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you."--1 SAM. xii. 23. "Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you."--JOSH. vii. 12. Any deep quickening of the spiritual life of the Church will always be accompanied by a deeper sense of sin. This will not begin with theology; that can only give expression to what God works
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Of Meditation Upon the Hidden Judgments of God, that we May not be Lifted up Because of Our Well-Doing
Thou sendest forth Thy judgments against me, O Lord, and shakest all my bones with fear and trembling, and my soul trembleth exceedingly. I stand astonished, and remember that the heavens are not clean in thy sight.(1) If Thou chargest Thine angels with folly, and didst spare them not, how shall it be unto me? Stars have fallen from heaven, and what shall I dare who am but dust? They whose works seemed to be praiseworthy, fell into the lowest depths, and they who did eat Angels' food, them have
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

All are Sinners.
Some time ago we overheard from a person who should have known better, remarks something like these: "I wonder how sinners are saved in the Lutheran Church?" "I do not hear of any being converted in the Lutheran Church," and such like. These words called to mind similar sentiments that we heard expressed long ago. More than once was the remark made in our hearing that in certain churches sinners were saved, because converted and sanctified, while it was at least doubtful whether any one could find
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

Whether Six Daughters are Fittingly Assigned to Anger?
Objection 1: It would seem that six daughters are unfittingly assigned to anger, namely "quarreling, swelling of the mind, contumely, clamor, indignation and blasphemy." For blasphemy is reckoned by Isidore [*QQ. in Deut., qu. xvi] to be a daughter of pride. Therefore it should not be accounted a daughter of anger. Objection 2: Further, hatred is born of anger, as Augustine says in his rule (Ep. ccxi). Therefore it should be placed among the daughters of anger. Objection 3: Further, "a swollen mind"
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Meditations to Stir us up to Morning Prayer.
1. If, when thou art about to pray, Satan shall suggest that thy prayers are too long, and that therefore it were better either to omit prayers, or else to cut them shorter, meditate that prayer is thy spiritual sacrifice, wherewith God is well pleased (Heb. xiii. 15, 16;) and therefore it is so displeasing to the devil, and so irksome to the flesh. Bend therefore thy affections (will they, nill they) to so holy an exercise; assuring thyself, that it doth by so much the more please God, by how much
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Whether Pride is the Most Grievous of Sins?
Objection 1: It would seem that pride is not the most grievous of sins. For the more difficult a sin is to avoid, the less grievous it would seem to be. Now pride is most difficult to avoid; for Augustine says in his Rule (Ep. ccxi), "Other sins find their vent in the accomplishment of evil deeds, whereas pride lies in wait for good deeds to destroy them." Therefore pride is not the most grievous of sins. Objection 2: Further, "The greater evil is opposed to the greater good," as the Philosopher
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Moral Depravity.
VIII. Let us consider the proper method of accounting for the universal and total moral depravity of the unregenerate moral agents of our race. In the discussion of this subject, I will-- 1. Endeavor to show how it is not to be accounted for. In examining this part of the subject, it is necessary to have distinctly in view that which constitutes moral depravity. All the error that has existed upon this subject, has been founded in false assumptions in regard to the nature or essence of moral depravity.
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

The Redeemer's Return is Necessitated by the Lamentation of all Creation.
The effects of the Fall have been far-reaching--"By one man sin entered the world"(Rom. 5:12). Not only was the entire human family involved but the whole "Kosmos" was affected. When Adam and Eve sinned, God not only pronounced sentence upon them and the Serpent but He cursed the ground as well--"And unto Adam He said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it, Cursed is the ground for thy sake;
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

Whether There is Hope in the Damned
Whether there is Hope in the Damned We proceed to the third article thus: 1. It seems that there is hope in the damned. For the devil is damned, and the prince of the damned, according to Matt. 25:41: "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." Yet the devil has hope, according to Job 41:9: "Behold, the hope of him is in vain." It seems, therefore, that the damned have hope. 2. Again, just as faith can be formed and unformed, so can hope. Now there can
Aquinas—Nature and Grace

Whether Hope is in the Damned?
Objection 1: It would seem that there is hope in the damned. For the devil is damned and prince of the damned, according to Mat. 25:41: "Depart . . . you cursed, into everlasting fire, which was prepared for the devil and his angels." But the devil has hope, according to Job 40:28, "Behold his hope shall fail him." Therefore it seems that the damned have hope. Objection 2: Further, just as faith is either living or dead, so is hope. But lifeless faith can be in the devils and the damned, according
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Character of Its Teachings Evidences the Divine Authorship of the Bible
Take its teachings about God Himself. What does the Bible teach us about God? It declares that He is Eternal: "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou are God" (Ps. 90:2). It reveals the fact that He is Infinite: "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee" (I Kings 8:27). Vast as we know the universe to be, it has its bounds; but we must go beyond
Arthur W. Pink—The Divine Inspiration of the Bible

Necessity of Contemplating the Judgment-Seat of God, in Order to be Seriously Convinced of the Doctrine of Gratuitous Justification.
1. Source of error on the subject of Justification. Sophists speak as if the question were to be discussed before some human tribunal. It relates to the majesty and justice of God. Hence nothing accepted without absolute perfection. Passages confirming this doctrine. If we descend to the righteousness of the Law, the curse immediately appears. 2. Source of hypocritical confidence. Illustrated by a simile. Exhortation. Testimony of Job, David, and Paul. 3. Confession of Augustine and Bernard. 4. Another
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Sinner Stripped of his Vain Pleas.
1, 2. The vanity of those pleas which sinners may secretly confide in, is so apparent that they will be ashamed at last to mention them before God.--3. Such as, that they descended from pious us parents.--4. That they had attended to the speculative part of religion.--5. That they had entertained sound notion..--6, 7. That they had expressed a zealous regard to religion, and attended the outward forms of worship with those they apprehended the purest churches.--8. That they had been free from gross
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

Original Sin
Q-16: DID ALL MANKIND FALL IN ADAM'S FIRST TRANSGRESSION? A: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him, by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression. 'By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,' &c. Rom 5:12. Adam being a representative person, while he stood, we stood; when he fell, we fell, We sinned in Adam; so it is in the text, In whom all have sinned.' Adam was the head
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Hebrew Sages and their Proverbs
[Sidenote: Role of the sages in Israel's life] In the days of Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jer. xviii. 18; Ezek. vii. 26) three distinct classes of religious teachers were recognized by the people: the prophets, the priests, and the wise men or sages. From their lips and pens have come practically all the writings of the Old Testament. Of these three classes the wise men or sages are far less prominent or well known. They wrote no history of Israel, they preached no public sermons, nor do they appear
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Man's Inability to Keep the Moral Law
Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but does daily break them, in thought, word, and deed. In many things we offend all.' James 3: 2. Man in his primitive state of innocence, was endowed with ability to keep the whole moral law. He had rectitude of mind, sanctity of will, and perfection of power. He had the copy of God's law written on his heart; no sooner did God command but he obeyed.
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Comforts Belonging to Mourners
Having already presented to your view the dark side of the text, I shall now show you the light side, They shall be comforted'. Where observe: 1 Mourning goes before comfort as the lancing of a wound precedes the cure. The Antinomian talks of comfort, but cries down mourning for sin. He is like a foolish patient who, having a pill prescribed him, licks the sugar but throws away the pill. The libertine is all for joy and comfort. He licks the sugar but throws away the bitter pill of repentance. If
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Water of Life;
OR, A DISCOURSE SHOWING THE RICHNESS AND GLORY OF THE GRACE AND SPIRIT OF THE GOSPEL, AS SET FORTH IN SCRIPTURE BY THIS TERM, THE WATER OF LIFE. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.'--Revelation 22:17 London: Printed for Nathanael Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1688. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Often, and in every age, the children of God have dared to doubt the sufficiency of divine grace; whether it was vast enough to reach their condition--to cleanse
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus Christ;
SHEWING, TRUE GOSPEL-HOLINESS FLOWS FROM THENCE; OR, MR. FOWLER'S PRETENDED DESIGN OF CHRISTIANITY, PROVED TO BE NOTHING MORE THAN TO TRAMPLE UNDER FOOT THE BLOOD OF THE SON OF GOD; AND THE IDOLIZING OF MAN'S OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS AS ALSO, HOW WHILE HE PRETENDS TO BE A MINISTER OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, HE OVERTHROWETH THE WHOLESOME DOCTRINE CONTAINED IN THE 10TH, 11TH, AND 13TH, OF THE THIRTY-NINE ARTICLES OF THE SAME, AND THAT HE FALLETH IN WITH THE QUAKER AND ROMANIST, AGAINST THEM. BY JOHN BUNYAN
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

"All Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags, and we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind, have Taken us Away. "
Isaiah lxiv. 6, 7.--"All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Not only are the direct breaches of the command uncleanness, and men originally and actually unclean, but even our holy actions, our commanded duties. Take a man's civility, religion, and all his universal inherent righteousness,--all are filthy rags. And here the church confesseth nothing but what God accuseth her of, Isa. lxvi. 8, and chap. i. ver.
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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