◄ Job 22:3 ►
Does it delight the Almighty that you are righteous? Does He profit if your ways are blameless?
Study Bible
Is it any pleasure to the Almighty
The word "pleasure" in Hebrew is "ḥēp̄eṣ," which conveys the idea of delight or satisfaction. In the context of the Almighty, it suggests a divine perspective that transcends human understanding. The Almighty, or "Shaddai" in Hebrew, is a name that emphasizes God's ultimate power and sufficiency. This phrase challenges the reader to consider the nature of God's relationship with humanity. It implies that God's pleasure is not contingent upon human actions, highlighting His self-sufficiency and the grace that underpins His interactions with creation.

that you are righteous
The term "righteous" comes from the Hebrew word "ṣaddîq," which denotes a state of being just or morally upright. In the ancient Near Eastern context, righteousness was often associated with fulfilling one's duties to God and others. This phrase raises the question of whether human righteousness can affect God, who is inherently righteous. It suggests that while righteousness is crucial for human relationships and society, it does not add to God's essence or glory, as He is already perfect.

or is it gain to Him
The word "gain" in Hebrew is "besa," which implies profit or benefit. This phrase invites reflection on the nature of divine-human interaction. It suggests that God, being complete and lacking nothing, does not require anything from humans to enhance His being. This challenges believers to understand that their righteous acts are not transactional with God but are expressions of faith and obedience that align with His will.

that you make your ways blameless
The phrase "make your ways blameless" uses the Hebrew word "tāmîm," meaning complete or without defect. In biblical terms, blamelessness is often associated with integrity and wholehearted devotion to God. This phrase emphasizes the importance of living a life that reflects God's holiness. However, it also underscores the idea that such a life is not for God's benefit but for the individual's spiritual growth and witness to others. It calls believers to pursue holiness not as a means to earn God's favor but as a response to His love and grace.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, experiencing severe trials and suffering.

2. Eliphaz the Temanite
One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him but ends up accusing him of wrongdoing. Eliphaz is the speaker in Job 22:3, questioning the value of human righteousness to God.

3. The Almighty (God)
The omnipotent Creator, who is sovereign over all creation. In this context, Eliphaz is questioning the impact of human righteousness on God.

4. Teman
A region in Edom, known for its wise men. Eliphaz is identified as a Temanite, suggesting he is a man of wisdom and understanding.

5. The Book of Job
A poetic and philosophical book in the Old Testament that explores themes of suffering, justice, and the nature of God.
Teaching Points
Understanding God's Sovereignty
God's nature is complete and self-sufficient. Our righteousness does not add to His essence or glory, but it aligns us with His will.

The Purpose of Righteousness
While our righteousness does not benefit God in a transactional sense, it is crucial for our relationship with Him and our witness to others.

Human Limitations
Recognize that human efforts, while important, are limited in their ability to affect God. Our righteousness is a response to His grace, not a means to earn favor.

Motivation for Righteous Living
Our motivation should be love and reverence for God, not the expectation of reward or recognition from Him.

Reflecting God's Character
Righteousness is about reflecting God's character in our lives, serving as a testimony to His transformative power.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's sovereignty influence your perspective on personal righteousness?

2. In what ways can you ensure that your motivation for living righteously is aligned with biblical principles rather than seeking personal gain?

3. How can the recognition of human limitations in affecting God’s nature lead to a deeper reliance on His grace?

4. What are practical ways you can reflect God's character in your daily life, and how does this serve as a testimony to others?

5. How do the themes in Job 22:3 connect with the broader message of the Book of Job regarding suffering and righteousness?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 16:2
This verse emphasizes that goodness does not extend to God, similar to Eliphaz's assertion that human righteousness does not benefit God.

Isaiah 64:6
This passage highlights the insufficiency of human righteousness, which aligns with Eliphaz's questioning of its value to God.

Romans 3:23
This New Testament verse underscores the universality of sin, reinforcing the idea that human righteousness is inherently flawed.
Sermons
God's Pleasure in Man's RighteousnessG. J. Proctor.Job 22:3
Does Religion Enrich GodB. J. Gibbon.Job 22:1-4
The Doctrine of MeritRobert South, D. D.Job 22:1-4
The Independence of GodHenry Melvill, B. D.Job 22:1-4
The Third Speech of EliphazHomilistJob 22:1-4
Censorious and Uncharitable ReasoningE. Johnson Job 22:1-30
The Impartiality of the Divine JudgmentR. Gree Job 22:2-11
People
Eliphaz, Job, Ophir
Places
Ophir, Uz
Topics
Advantage, Almighty, Benefit, Blameless, Delight, Gain, Interest, Makest, Mighty, Perfect, Pleasure, Profit, Righteous, Ruler, Sin, Upright
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 21:32-33

     4290   valleys

Library
December 29 Morning
Understanding what the will of the Lord is.--EPH. 5:17. This is the will of God, even your sanctification.--Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.--This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.--We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

Knowledge and Peace
'Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.'--JOB xxii. 21. In the sense in which the speaker meant them, these words are not true. They mean little more than 'It pays to be religious.' What kind of notion of acquaintance with God Eliphaz may have had, one scarcely knows, but at any rate, the whole meaning of the text on his lips is poor and selfish. The peace promised is evidently only outward tranquillity and freedom from trouble, and the good that is to …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

What Life May be Made
'For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God. 27. Thou shalt make thy prayer unto Him, and He shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows. 28. Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. 29. When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, ... lifting up; and He shall save the humble person.'--JOB xxii. 26-29. These words are a fragment of one of the speeches of Job's friends, in which …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Whether all Things are under Divine Providence
Whether All Things are under Divine Providence We proceed to the second article thus: 1. It seems that not all things are under divine providence. For nothing that is ordained happens contingently, and if all things were provided by God, nothing would happen contingently. There would then be no such thing as chance or fortune. But this is contrary to common opinion. 2. Again, every wise provider, so far as he is able, preserves those in his care from defect and from evil. But we see many evils in …
Aquinas—Nature and Grace

Whether God is Everywhere by Essence, Presence and Power?
Objection 1: It seems that the mode of God's existence in all things is not properly described by way of essence, presence and power. For what is by essence in anything, is in it essentially. But God is not essentially in things; for He does not belong to the essence of anything. Therefore it ought not to be said that God is in things by essence, presence and power. Objection 2: Further, to be present in anything means not to be absent from it. Now this is the meaning of God being in things by His …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Everything is Subject to the Providence of God?
Objection 1: It seems that everything is not subject to divine providence. For nothing foreseen can happen by chance. If then everything was foreseen by God, nothing would happen by chance. And thus hazard and luck would disappear; which is against common opinion. Objection 2: Further, a wise provider excludes any defect or evil, as far as he can, from those over whom he has a care. But we see many evils existing. Either, then, God cannot hinder these, and thus is not omnipotent; or else He does …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Doctrine of God
I. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD: (Vs. Atheism). 1. ASSUMED BY THE SCRIPTURES. 2. PROOFS OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. a) Universal belief in the Existence of God. b) Cosmological:--Argument from Cause. c) Teleological:--Argument from Design. d) Ontological:--Argument from Being. e) Anthropological:--Moral Argument. f) Argument from Congruity. g) Argument from Scripture. II. THE NATURE OF GOD: (Vs. Agnosticism) 1. THE SPIRITUALITY OF GOD: (Vs. Materialism). 2. THE PERSONALITY OF GOD: (Vs. Pantheism). 3. THE UNITY …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible

The Case of the Christian under the Hiding of God's Face.
1. The phrase scriptural.--2. It signifies the withdrawing the tokens of the divine favor.--3 chiefly as to spiritual considerations.--4. This may become the case of any Christian.--5. and will be found a very sorrowful one.--6. The following directions, therefore, are given to those who suppose it to be their own: To inquire whether it be indeed a case of spiritual distress, or whether a disconsolate frame may not proceed from indisposition of body,--7. or difficulties as to worldly circumstances.--8, …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

Bands of Love; Or, Union to Christ. "I Drew them with Cords of a Man, with Bands of Love: and I was to them as they that Take Off the Yoke on their Jaws, and I Laid Meat unto Them. " --Hosea xi. 4.
BANDS OF LOVE; OR, UNION TO CHRIST. SYSTEMATIC theologians have usually regarded union to Christ under three aspects, natural, mystical and federal, and it may be that these three terms are comprehensive enough to embrace the whole subject, but as our aim is simplicity, let us be pardoned if we appear diffuse when we follow a less concise method. 1. The saints were from the beginning joined to Christ by bands of everlasting love. Before He took on Him their nature, or brought them into a conscious …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to Christians to be Holy. By John Bunyan.
Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever.'--[Psalm 93:5] London, by B. W., for Benj. Alsop, at the Angel and Bible, in the Poultrey. 1684. THE EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. This is the most searching treatise that has ever fallen under our notice. It is an invaluable guide to those sincere Christians, who, under a sense of the infinite importance of the salvation of an immortal soul, and of the deceitfulness of their hearts, sigh and cry, "O Lord of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
To declare emphatically that the people of God are a covenant people, various signs were in sovereignty vouchsafed. The lights in the firmament of heaven were appointed to be for signs, affording direction to the mariner, the husbandman, and others. Miracles wrought on memorable occasions, were constituted signs or tokens of God's universal government. The gracious grant of covenant signs was made in order to proclaim the truth of the existence of God's covenant with his people, to urge the performance …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Epistle xxxix. To Eulogius, Patriarch of Alexandria.
To Eulogius, Patriarch of Alexandria. Gregory to Eulogius, &c. As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country (Prov. xxv. 25). But what can be good news to me, so far as concerns the behoof of holy Church, but to hear of the health and safety of your to me most sweet Holiness, who, from your perception of the light of truth, both illuminate the same Church with the word of preaching, and mould it to a better way by the example of your manners? As often, too, as I recall in …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

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

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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