May 14 - Job 35-37
As Elihu continues his speech, he makes some excellent points for Job and his friends to consider. He addresses Job's rash statement that his righteousness had not profited him anything in the end. Of course, Job had spoken this from great grief, but it is a very significant statement. Elihu tells Job that our righteousness does not approach God's righteousness. We should not even be thinking about our own righteousness compared to His. Then, in verses 13-16 Elihu gives several great insights. He reminds Job that God does not listen to empty talk. He is not moved by our logic or reasoning. If we don't hear from God, He is still there, and we must wait for Him. Also, he points out that God has not punished Job in His anger. These are great insights for Job and for us.
Often, we tell people that there are three answers to prayer: yes, no, and wait. This is a good example of that. Elihu tells Job that God has not spoken, but it is OK. It is up to Job to wait on the Lord and not to be impatient for an answer. Furthermore, it is really self-righteous for Job to say, "I want to talk to God, because I have not done wrong, so I want to reason it out with Him." Elihu is warning Job about that type of attitude. In reality, Job just needs to listen for God and He will answer in His time. I think that is good counsel for Job and for us today.
Elihu finishes by giving a long speech on God's goodness and His power. God is the maker of all, so how can we assume to tell Him anything or reason with Him. He goes through a list of things God does in nature that are past our knowing to prove his point. Then, he makes a statement that is not exactly correct. He says "As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him."(37:23) This means that God is so high and separate that we can't really communicate with Him directly. This is a distorted view of God. Perhaps, this comes from his youth. Maybe, he knows a lot about God, but he has not come to know God intimately yet. I am not sure why he says this to Job. God is about to prove him wrong in the next chapter, though, when He speaks directly to Job. It could be that Elihu is like many people who can't understand how God can be holy, all powerful God, yet be a Father to us at the same time. I hope you have come to know Him in both of these ways in your life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Job 38-39. Then, the next day I intend to read Job 40-42.
Often, we tell people that there are three answers to prayer: yes, no, and wait. This is a good example of that. Elihu tells Job that God has not spoken, but it is OK. It is up to Job to wait on the Lord and not to be impatient for an answer. Furthermore, it is really self-righteous for Job to say, "I want to talk to God, because I have not done wrong, so I want to reason it out with Him." Elihu is warning Job about that type of attitude. In reality, Job just needs to listen for God and He will answer in His time. I think that is good counsel for Job and for us today.
Elihu finishes by giving a long speech on God's goodness and His power. God is the maker of all, so how can we assume to tell Him anything or reason with Him. He goes through a list of things God does in nature that are past our knowing to prove his point. Then, he makes a statement that is not exactly correct. He says "As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him."(37:23) This means that God is so high and separate that we can't really communicate with Him directly. This is a distorted view of God. Perhaps, this comes from his youth. Maybe, he knows a lot about God, but he has not come to know God intimately yet. I am not sure why he says this to Job. God is about to prove him wrong in the next chapter, though, when He speaks directly to Job. It could be that Elihu is like many people who can't understand how God can be holy, all powerful God, yet be a Father to us at the same time. I hope you have come to know Him in both of these ways in your life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Job 38-39. Then, the next day I intend to read Job 40-42.