In famine or war, God’s providence extends a hand of protection, reminding believers that true security is found only in Him.
“In famine He will redeem you from death, And in war from the power of the sword.” (v.20) These words flow from Eliphaz’s first speech to Job, as he describes the ways God rescues the righteous. Eliphaz asserts that the Lord is able to deliver His faithful ones from calamities such as starvation and military threats. Even though Eliphaz’s overall perspective is incomplete, the hope he describes here points to a God who holds power over all circumstances—who can end a famine or thwart any weapon raised against His people. Scripture elsewhere confirms that God is the ultimate provider, able to sustain those who trust Him, much like He nourished Elijah supernaturally during a time of drought (1 Kings 17:1-6) and how He feeds His people spiritually through Jesus, the Bread of Life (John 6:35).
Eliphaz’s picture of protection in war from the power of the sword reminds us that throughout the Bible, God’s people continually discovered the Lord’s saving strength. Eliphaz, however, believed in a more transactional view of God’s favor—assuming blessings automatically flow to those who live uprightly, and hardships befall only the disobedient. Later chapters in Job show that this viewpoint is too narrow, because God’s ways are higher and surpass the tidy formulas Eliphaz and the other friends proposed. Nevertheless, the imagery of being redeemed from war and famine conveys that God ultimately orchestrates rescue, even if His timetable or purpose remains puzzling to human understanding.
It is possible to see a fuller revelation of this theme in Jesus, who offers rescue from far more than earthly dangers. His death and resurrection bring redemption from sin and separation, redeeming humanity from the ultimate famine of the soul. By looking to Jesus, we witness a God who intervenes not just in physical hunger or military peril, but who also conquers death itself, securing eternal life for all who believe (John 5:24). Through every trial, whether famine or conflict, the believer can remain assured that God’s sovereign care stretches into every moment of suffering, beckoning us to trust Him even more deeply.God rescues His faithful from physical dangers to demonstrate His power and sovereignty, though His plan far exceeds the momentary trials of this life.
Set to dark mode
Job 5:20 meaning
“In famine He will redeem you from death, And in war from the power of the sword.” (v.20) These words flow from Eliphaz’s first speech to Job, as he describes the ways God rescues the righteous. Eliphaz asserts that the Lord is able to deliver His faithful ones from calamities such as starvation and military threats. Even though Eliphaz’s overall perspective is incomplete, the hope he describes here points to a God who holds power over all circumstances—who can end a famine or thwart any weapon raised against His people. Scripture elsewhere confirms that God is the ultimate provider, able to sustain those who trust Him, much like He nourished Elijah supernaturally during a time of drought (1 Kings 17:1-6) and how He feeds His people spiritually through Jesus, the Bread of Life (John 6:35).
Eliphaz’s picture of protection in war from the power of the sword reminds us that throughout the Bible, God’s people continually discovered the Lord’s saving strength. Eliphaz, however, believed in a more transactional view of God’s favor—assuming blessings automatically flow to those who live uprightly, and hardships befall only the disobedient. Later chapters in Job show that this viewpoint is too narrow, because God’s ways are higher and surpass the tidy formulas Eliphaz and the other friends proposed. Nevertheless, the imagery of being redeemed from war and famine conveys that God ultimately orchestrates rescue, even if His timetable or purpose remains puzzling to human understanding.
It is possible to see a fuller revelation of this theme in Jesus, who offers rescue from far more than earthly dangers. His death and resurrection bring redemption from sin and separation, redeeming humanity from the ultimate famine of the soul. By looking to Jesus, we witness a God who intervenes not just in physical hunger or military peril, but who also conquers death itself, securing eternal life for all who believe (John 5:24). Through every trial, whether famine or conflict, the believer can remain assured that God’s sovereign care stretches into every moment of suffering, beckoning us to trust Him even more deeply.God rescues His faithful from physical dangers to demonstrate His power and sovereignty, though His plan far exceeds the momentary trials of this life.