Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 9/13/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi i have started to read the book of Job and i don't understand Job chapter 22 verse 2 i was hoping you could shed some light on this verse and what it means
thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Matt

Thanks for this great question.  Let us look at the verse in context together.

Job 22:1-3


Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, 2 Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?  3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

As you know, Job had suffered some attacks from the Devil.  God had given Satan permission to do that to prove that Job would be faithful.  After Job lost everything, Job's "friends" came to offer advice... or rebuke.  They were convinced that Job had become rich by doing something wrong.  They were also sure that Job's trials were as a result of God's judgment against Job.  His :friends" then were trying to get Job to admit wxactly what he did wrong that made God pour out His wrath on him.  In verse 2 of this passage Eliphaz, one of these "friends" asked Job a rehetorical question.  He was asking him if there was a man alive who's wealth would impress God.  The point is that man is much more impressed by wealth than God is.  

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don

Once again, I am so sorry for this late response.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION:  hi thanks for the answer. i have another question if you do not mind. On the day of Judgement will we be able to see the people being judged who go to Hell or just see the people who go to Heaven? Hope it's not confusing for you. may God bless you  

Answer
Hi Matt,

Thanks for this great follow up question.  I am sorry for my late response.  I believe that we as believers will be there during the great white throne as witnesses of those being judged and sent to the Lake of Fire.  That is why after the judgment, God will wipe our tears away.  Why would we be crying in God's presence?  We will cry because of what we saw during the judgment.

Revelation 21:4
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don