Life Walk Lesson 64: Life Lessons from Eliphaz
What I did learn is that Eliphaz was born into a family who worshiped idols, much like Abraham, who chose to follow God. When I put all of the historical accounts together, and find no one is perfect, I find a good size trail of grace in order to protect God's beloved ones -- the common thread throughout Scripture.
I submit this respectfully as a body of knowledge which I had found this morning on this subject. One could safely presume, I'd say, that Eliphaz might at some point have been pagan. But considering his words in the Book of Job, even though in error by God's standards, I am more inclined to believe that he knew God as his God, and was led by God in the events which took place in Jacob's journey to Laban's house.
I have come to believe, over the last couple of years, after reading all these documents which include the life stories of the Patriarchs, that the initial trouble many have placed on the shoulders of Isaac and Ishmael may well have been more accurately worn by Jacob and Esau, who acted as accuser against Jacob consistently, right up until his death, and beyond. It is heart wrenching actually, to read the stories of their lives, and yet somehow, I am comforted by the fact that when all is said and done, their names are written on the very Pearl Gates of the City Beautiful the heavenly Jerusalem, where we all enter in by the grace of God, our Heavenly Advocate.
Eliphaz -- Bible
Eliphaz -- The Ancient Book of Jasher
Eliphaz -- from: chabad.org -- confirming the story in the Ancient Book of Jasher
Traditions of the Jews, Louis Ginzberg, Volume 1, Chapter 6, Jacob; Read Paragraphs: "Esau's True Character Revealed", "Jacob Leaves His Father's House", "Jacob pursued by Eliphaz and Esau," , "The Day of Miracles", and "Jacob with Laban" [I recognize most of this comes from The Ancient Book of Jasher [Sefer Ha Yashar]
Eliphaz "brought up on Isaac's lap" -- Rahsi on Eliphaz, does not obey his father Esau, but allows Jacob to live
Eliphaz (that which led up to the Birthright and so on) -- sefaria.org (from Sefer ha Yashar on Eliphaz)
Note: Here records the events which led up to the selling of the birthright to the God-appointed one, Jacob. Esau steals the garment Nimrod wore, which was passed down to him by the one who stole it in order to obtain the power it contained, presumably as it was the garment God had made for Adam. It fit Nimrod when he became 20 years old, and so his father bestowed it on him at that time, according to the historical record in the Book of Jasher. It is easy to see, after reading this account, why God says He hated Esau, but loved Jacob. Esau spent a lot of time projecting his own personality on Jacob, and we might do well to see Jacob through God's eyes, and not Esau's.
The Book of the Bee, on the Temptation of Job, 1222 A.D., by Bishop Solomon, Nestorian Christian History, Translated by Sir E.A.W. Budge, 1886
Job's Wife Dinah, Jacob's Daughter -- The Book of Jubilees
Jubilees 38:18 Jobab reigns, and Jobab dies (Job's name; See Testament of Job)
The Reputation of the Wisdom of Teman
Wisdom of Teman from the footnotes on Job 2:11 in the Catholic Bible
1Baruch 3:22 Catholic Bible
The Time-Period
From: The Book of the Cave of Treasures — the time-period — the Fourth Thousand Year
Royal Line: Genealogy from Adam to Christ [by: St. Ephraim, Doctor of the Church]
Job 42:8-10 New International Version (NIV)
8 So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer.
10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.
