Daily Reading:
Job 33-36
1.) Facts:
- Elihu speaks out to Job and takes a different stance on Job's suffering than Job's previous 3 friends. Elihu states that Job's sufferings were sent as a trial and not as a result of a sin as Job's friends had previously thought. Elihu then goes on to state that this trial has been lengthened because Job has not yet been humbled and because Job has claimed his innocence from sin ((33:9-11), (Elihu sees this as rebellion 34:37)). Elihu goes on to speak about God's justice, sovereign dominion, providence, omniscience and his hatred of sin.
2.) Lessons:
- 33:1-7 - Elihu was quite a bit younger than Job's other 3 friends who had spoken, yet Elihu introduces himself and states his cause with respect to his elders as well as with complete and utter confidence.
- 33:33 - "But if not, then listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom" I love the confidence Elihu speaks with regarding wisdom because his knowledge is based upon scriptures and a correct understanding of the sovereignty of God.
- 34:11 - "He repays everyone for what they have done; he brings on them what their conduct deserves" God is just and fair and we will be held accountable for our sins and actions.
- 34:21-27 - Elihu speaks of the omniscience of God and that man in all his wisdom cannot escape from judgement for our actions. God is all knowing, in both our physcial sins and the sins of the heart.
- 36:26 "How great is God? Beyond our understanding."
3.) Applications:
- Even though Elihu was correct in much of what he was saying, it must be noted that this did not apply to Job, because Job indeed had no sinned against God. When we face trials of many kinds we must not compound that with rebellion against God. We are called to consider it pure joy when faced with trials of many kinds, for it is though those trials that the testing of our faith occurs and as a result God will teach us perseverance. (James 1:2-4) Elihu speaks of the power of God and that He knows everything. One day we will be held responsible for our actions, so we must learn to base our lives on the teachings of the Bible and to speak with confidence when called upon by God.
- 34:21 - “His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step."
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