When life feels abundant, it's easy to feel untouchable. But what if that very abundance is seen as a dangerous sign by God?

Eliphaz uses vivid imagery to describe the wicked man's downfall. He says the man 'covers his face with his fatness' and gathers 'fat upon his waist.' This isn't just about being overweight; it's a picture of extreme prosperity and luxury.

A Dangerous Indication

In the ancient world, and especially in the Old Testament, excessive fatness or abundance was often seen as a sign of God's blessing. However, it could also be a sign of a person becoming self-satisfied, proud, and disconnected from God. The prophet Moses warned Israel: 'But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked— You grew fat, thick, and slick; then they abandoned God who made them and scorned the Rock of their salvation' (Deuteronomy 32:15).

This abundance, Eliphaz implies, has made the wicked man arrogant. His prosperity has led him to believe he is beyond accountability, even to God.

What happens when comfort and ease become the primary focus of life? Eliphaz paints a picture of moral decay.

The imagery of a man covering his face with fat and having thick folds of fat on his flanks speaks to a life of extreme indulgence. Eliphaz isn't just describing physical appearance; he's describing a lifestyle.

Pampering the Flesh

This person's main concern is pampering himself, indulging his appetites, and satisfying his own desires. This self-centeredness, this 'brutish fleshliness' as some ancient interpreters noted, leads to a hardening of the heart and a dulling of spiritual sensitivity.

When a person is consumed with comfort and self-gratification, they can become so insulated by their 'fatness' that they fail to see their sin or God's hand in their lives. This moral insensibility breeds insolence. They feel entitled, powerful, and untouchable, leading them to lash out against God and others, as Eliphaz describes in the preceding verses.