Job 22:18
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But it was He who filled their houses with good things; so I stay far from the counsel of the wicked.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Eliphaz here leads on a third attack upon poor Job, in which Bildad followed him, but Zophar drew back, and quitted the field. It was one of the unhappinesses of Job, as it is of many an honest man, to be misunderstood by his friends. He had spoken of the prosperity of wicked men in this world as a mystery of Providence, but they took it for a reflection upon Providence, as countenancing their wickedness; and they reproached him accordingly. In this chapter, I. Eliphaz checks him for his complaints of God, and of his dealings with him, as if he thought God had done him wrong (Job 22:2-4). II. He charges him with many high crimes and misdemeanours, for which he supposes God was now punishing him. 1. Oppression and injustice (Job 22:5-11). 2. Atheism and infidelity (Job 22:12-14). III. He compares his case to that of the old world (Job 22:15-20). IV. He gives him very good counsel, assuring him that, if he would take it, God would return in mercy to him and he should return to his former prosperity (Job 22:21-30).
Open source ↗22:18 I will have nothing to do with that kind of thinking: Eliphaz threw Job’s words back at him (21:16b).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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Still, their prosperity is not in their own hands, so I stay far from the counsel of the wicked.
The tents of robbers are safe, and those who provoke God are secure— those who carry their god in their hands.
You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts.
from such men, O LORD, by Your hand— from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons, so they leave their abundance to their children.
Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”
The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts.
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.
‘After this I will return and rebuild the fallen tent of David. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,