1. Man is born to trouble (1-8)

Eliphaz' world view is pessimistic. He was rebuked by God in 42:7 for misrepresenting God. Much of what he said was right, but his basic assumption was wrong. He assumed that God was punishing Job for some sin. He counsels Job, not from God's word, but from his own experience.

2. God wounds, but he also binds (9-27)

God indeed performs miracles that cannot be fathomed; he gives rain to the earth; he lifts up the lowly. No one can deceive God. (Paul quotes verse 13 in 1Co 3:19.) It is true that God's discipline is a blessing--that he wounds so that he can heal. Eliphaz promises Job that God will rescue him from all his calamities (19-27). The problem is that Eliphaz is not qualified to speak for God. His counsel cannot bring real encouragement to Job. It would be better if he would quietly pray for his friend.

Application: Lord, I cannot understand your ways. Help me to pray for your people and study the Bible with them instead of giving advice based on my own experience.
One Word: God wounds, but he binds up