Reading: Job 34-37
Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou. If thou sinnest, what doest thou against Him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto Him? If thou be righteous, what givest thou Him? or what receiveth He of thine hand? Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man (Job 35:5-8). Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out (Job 36:26).
The last to speak was Elihu, the youngest of Job’s friends (Job 32:4). After listening to Job’s complaints and the non-answers provided by Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, Elihu was consumed with what he believed to be righteous rage against his elders. To Elihu, Job’s actual sin was declaring himself pure before God and demanding an explanation as to why he was suffering. For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment (34:6). He also couldn’t understand how the other three had sat there and listened to Job’s words without confronting him on the grievous sin that he was committing right in front of them. Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom. My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men. For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God (34:33-37).
As with the three men who spoke before him, Elihu believed that Job had likely brought his suffering on himself. Where he differed from them was over their belief that Job was suffering divine punishment for a specific sin. Elihu was beside himself with anger at the implication that mankind’s behavior predicated the actions of God. Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words: Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man (32:12-13). Elihu stood in front of the other four, confident in his knowledge of God, and set himself out as the mediator that Job had sought (9:33). He then explained that God was our superior in all things, far beyond our understanding. Nothing a man said or did could affect God in any way, positive or negative. Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man. Elihu did not express an opinion on the root cause of Job’s troubles, but he was adamant that Job’s actual sin was in ‘blaming’ God and demanding an explanation from Him.
In a limited context, Elihu was not wrong in his assessment of Job’s sin. God Himself made a similar point when He broke His silence and spoke to Job. Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding (38:1-4). But overall, Elihu proved himself to be just as guilty of prideful arrogance as he accused Job of being. Even as he spoke the words, Behold, God is great, and we know Him not, Elihu claimed to have both the knowledge and authority to speak for God (36:2).
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith (Rom. 12:3).
Thought for Today: Pride tempts us into speaking for God; when we attempt to usurp His authority to elevate ourselves above our peers, we only succeed in showing our ignorance.
Christ Revealed: As the One who watches how we live and what we do (Job 34:21). The Lord keeps His eyes on the righteous (I Pet. 3:12).
Word Studies: 34:36 wicked men = evil men; 36:8 holden = held fast; 36:16 no straitness = no restraint or restriction; 36:23 enjoined = appointed.
Pray for Government Officials: Justice Clarence Thomas (US Supreme Court),Rep. Nick Lalota (NY) • Country: San Marino (32,742) Enclave in Italy • Major Language: Italian • Religious Freedom • Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: The Lord is a shield for you in times of trouble (Ps. 3:1-3).
Optional Reading:Ephesians 6