May 13 - Job 32-34
Elihu comes to address Job and his friends in this passage. He is a younger man, who has been listening to what has been said. He feels that he must speak up, because he hears things from Job and from the other three men that he can't agree with. He has to set them straight even though he is younger. He thinks that Job is wrong in declaring his own righteousness, and he feels that the friends were wrong by not really having a good answer for Job. I think he is right about both of these things. Job was crossing the line by his attitude and his speech. I think this happens if we are not careful, and I think it was a result of Job's grief.
Elihu tells Job that God does not have to tell us why He does what He does. He is God. He does what is right. We should not question the goodness of God. That is what Job was doing by declaring his righteousness before God. At least, that is what Elihu thought when he heard him speak. Elihu goes on to say that God chastens us with pain. That is right. The word chasten does not mean just punishment. It means discipline. It means teaching. He sees that Job is being taught something. I think he is right to tell Job this. God is the sovereign one. When we question His actions it is a subtle from of rebellion. We would not do that if we really knew that God is always right and loving in all He does. Therefore, Elihu begins by correcting Job at this point.
Think about your own life. Have you had this type of rebellion against God? It is not all out rebellion. It is quiet, but it is bad. It is a feeling that God was wrong in some way. It is the feeling that since you don't understand, God owes you something. Remember, God does not own you anything, but He gives you all you need to trust Him. He loves you and me so much. We must not doubt that love. We must accept His chastening in our lives. This is hard in a time of grief as I said, because the questions come easily. However, we must learn to trust God no matter what comes.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Job 35-37.
Elihu tells Job that God does not have to tell us why He does what He does. He is God. He does what is right. We should not question the goodness of God. That is what Job was doing by declaring his righteousness before God. At least, that is what Elihu thought when he heard him speak. Elihu goes on to say that God chastens us with pain. That is right. The word chasten does not mean just punishment. It means discipline. It means teaching. He sees that Job is being taught something. I think he is right to tell Job this. God is the sovereign one. When we question His actions it is a subtle from of rebellion. We would not do that if we really knew that God is always right and loving in all He does. Therefore, Elihu begins by correcting Job at this point.
Think about your own life. Have you had this type of rebellion against God? It is not all out rebellion. It is quiet, but it is bad. It is a feeling that God was wrong in some way. It is the feeling that since you don't understand, God owes you something. Remember, God does not own you anything, but He gives you all you need to trust Him. He loves you and me so much. We must not doubt that love. We must accept His chastening in our lives. This is hard in a time of grief as I said, because the questions come easily. However, we must learn to trust God no matter what comes.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Job 35-37.