This verse reminds us that mere prosperity does not equate to God’s approval, and that distancing ourselves from wicked counsel keeps us near to God’s heart.
Eliphaz the Temanite continues his argument in Job 22, insisting that those who stray from God are ultimately punished. In the midst of his rebuke, he states, “Yet He filled their houses with good things; But the counsel of the wicked is far from me.” (Job 22:18). Although the book does not name a specific location here, other passages identify Eliphaz as coming from Teman, likely in the region of Edom, located south of Israel. Descendants of Esau populated this region, dating back possibly around 1700 BC, so Eliphaz fits within a time frame when families and tribes were ruled by patriarchal leadership rather than later Israelite kings. Eliphaz looks at those who receive abundant material blessings yet reject God and concludes that wickedness ultimately leads to distance from the Lord.
When Job’s friend says, “Yet He filled their houses with good things; But the counsel of the wicked is far from me.” (Job 22:18), he is claiming that he stands apart from any evil influence. Eliphaz observes that God’s provision (the “good things”) can come even to those who remain unrighteous, echoing Jesus’s later words that the Father causes His sun to rise on both the evil and the good (Matthew 5:45). Eliphaz implies that the wicked still miss out on God’s lasting wisdom. Material gain does not equate to spiritual approval. For Eliphaz, this statement becomes a warning that external blessings are not reliable indicators of a right heart before God, and he proclaims he will separate himself from any “counsel” that stands against God’s character.
In the broader context, Eliphaz incorrectly assumes Job’s suffering is rooted in sin, so he lectures Job about turning from wickedness. However, Scripture reveals that Job is actually righteous (Job 1:8; Job 42:7), thereby challenging Eliphaz’s blanket assumption that calamity always proves wrongdoing. Still, Eliphaz’s concern about wicked counsel aligns with many biblical teachings: receiving blessings without acknowledging the Giver can lead to pride (Deuteronomy 8:10-14), and wicked counsel often distances believers from the grace we find in God. The verse highlights how a person’s inner allegiance is more important than their outward prosperity, foreshadowing truths Jesus would later teach about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth (Matthew 6:19-20).
Set to dark mode
Job 22:18 meaning
Eliphaz the Temanite continues his argument in Job 22, insisting that those who stray from God are ultimately punished. In the midst of his rebuke, he states, “Yet He filled their houses with good things; But the counsel of the wicked is far from me.” (Job 22:18). Although the book does not name a specific location here, other passages identify Eliphaz as coming from Teman, likely in the region of Edom, located south of Israel. Descendants of Esau populated this region, dating back possibly around 1700 BC, so Eliphaz fits within a time frame when families and tribes were ruled by patriarchal leadership rather than later Israelite kings. Eliphaz looks at those who receive abundant material blessings yet reject God and concludes that wickedness ultimately leads to distance from the Lord.
When Job’s friend says, “Yet He filled their houses with good things; But the counsel of the wicked is far from me.” (Job 22:18), he is claiming that he stands apart from any evil influence. Eliphaz observes that God’s provision (the “good things”) can come even to those who remain unrighteous, echoing Jesus’s later words that the Father causes His sun to rise on both the evil and the good (Matthew 5:45). Eliphaz implies that the wicked still miss out on God’s lasting wisdom. Material gain does not equate to spiritual approval. For Eliphaz, this statement becomes a warning that external blessings are not reliable indicators of a right heart before God, and he proclaims he will separate himself from any “counsel” that stands against God’s character.
In the broader context, Eliphaz incorrectly assumes Job’s suffering is rooted in sin, so he lectures Job about turning from wickedness. However, Scripture reveals that Job is actually righteous (Job 1:8; Job 42:7), thereby challenging Eliphaz’s blanket assumption that calamity always proves wrongdoing. Still, Eliphaz’s concern about wicked counsel aligns with many biblical teachings: receiving blessings without acknowledging the Giver can lead to pride (Deuteronomy 8:10-14), and wicked counsel often distances believers from the grace we find in God. The verse highlights how a person’s inner allegiance is more important than their outward prosperity, foreshadowing truths Jesus would later teach about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth (Matthew 6:19-20).