Job's friend did not deny that the wicked fool (cf. Ps. 14:1) prospers temporarily (v. 3), but he believed that before a person dies God will punish him for his sins. Jesus disagreed (Luke 13:4). The well-known comparison in verse 7 is true to an extent, but Eliphaz was again wrong in connecting this truth with the reason for Job's suffering. People certainly do experience trouble in life as surely as sparks ascend from an open fire.38
Eliphaz's counsel to seek God and be restored was partially good. Job would do well to appeal to God, but not for the reason Eliphaz assumed. Eliphaz also believed God was disciplining Job for his sin (v. 17). Job's suffering did have a refining effect and caused him to grow personally, but that was not God's primary purpose in allowing Satan to afflict him as is clear from 1:6-2:10. Job was not the first or the last person to find it difficult to rejoice that he was experiencing the Lord's reproofs. Eliphaz's oblique advice to do so was ineffective.
"Eliphaz as a counselor is a supreme negative example. Great truths misapplied only hurt more those who are already hurting."39
