Job 5:11
To set vp on high those that be low; that those which mourne, may be exalted to safetie. Job 5:11 (KJV)
The book of Job is a profound exploration of human suffering, faith, and the nature of God’s sovereignty. Job, a righteous man, undergoes immense suffering, and his friends come to console him. The passage in question is spoken by Eliphaz, one of Job’s friends, but the quoted words “To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety” are not found in Job 5:11. In the King James Version, Job 5:11 reads, “He maketh low the wise, and the knowledge of the mighty is humbled.”
Nevertheless, the sentiment expressed in the quoted sentence echoes a broader biblical theme of God lifting up the humble and comforting the mournful. Scripture repeatedly affirms God’s willingness to raise the lowly and give comfort to those who mourn. Psalm 113:7‑8 declares, “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the beggar out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of the people.” Likewise, Jesus says in Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” These passages underscore God’s compassionate and just character toward the oppressed and the grieving.
On a spiritual level, the passage reminds believers that God’s ways often surpass human understanding. Though Job endured great suffering, his story ends with restoration (Job 42:10‑17). This outcome encourages us to trust that God can bring renewal after trials and to hold fast to integrity and wisdom in the midst of hardship, as highlighted in the concluding thought of the study.
Practically, the principle challenges Christians to emulate God’s compassion by caring for the lowly and comforting those who grieve. Acts of love, support, and tangible assistance reflect this calling and demonstrate the faith in action that the book of Job ultimately points toward.
In conclusion, while the quoted sentence is not a verbatim verse from Job 5:11, it captures a biblical truth: God cares deeply for the humble and promises comfort to the mourners. This truth invites us to trust in God’s sovereignty, to pursue integrity and wisdom, and to extend compassion toward the marginalized and grieving.
