Often in stories woven into dramas or films on television we find a depiction of human characters that is so black and white. For example, there is a character who is depicted as so evil that in the entire storyline only his evil actions are shown, while the other side is shown as someone who is so good that he accepts everything, including evil things. In fact, in real life, humans are complex individuals. Within them there is a tendency to do bad things but on the other side they also have the potential to do good. Therefore, wisdom and humility are needed to understand a person's complexity so that we can relate well and respond appropriately. We see this complexity also evident in Eliphaz in the text we read. In this section, Eliphaz claims to have received divine revelation through a dream experience that shook his soul. A spirit passed before him and asked a rhetorical question: "Can a man be righteous before God? Can a man be clean before Creation?" (Job 4:17). This message leads to one conclusion, humans are fragile creatures, full of weaknesses, and cannot match the wisdom and sovereignty of God.

Eliphaz describes his spiritual experience in dramatic detail. He felt afraid, his body trembled, and the hair on the back of his neck stood up when the spirit was present. This experience reflects how humans often feel helpless in the face of a power greater than themselves. Then, he goes on to say that humans live in “cottages of clay with foundations of dust” (Job 4:19), compared to angels who can even get lost. This emphasizes that if the “heavenly beings” can get lost, what about humans who are mortal, limited, and whose lives can end at any time. No matter how wise a person is, he still cannot surpass the wisdom of God (Job 4:21). Human fragility often brings suffering. So for Eliphaz, in the face of this reality, humans are invited to be humble and submit to Him.

We are well aware that Eliphaz may have used these words to accuse Job, but there is a deeper truth in them: humans must recognize their limitations. We often try to control our own lives, but we must learn to surrender to God. This surrender is what Eliphaz is trying to offer Job, but in a way that emphasizes his guilt. Good advice can apparently come from anyone, even from those who often disagree with us. Perhaps it would be good for us to be able to control ourselves well, so that when they speak, we do not immediately shut ourselves off but try to digest their words with humility and clear reason. God can use anyone to rebuke and remind us, even from those who seem to be at odds with us.