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- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Job 37
I still don’t know what to think about Elihu, nor can I completely sort out what his message to Job is. I can see that his approach is different than that of the other three friends. And I can see that he is set apart in the story in various ways. I can also see that Job never responded to Elihu. Having read the story before, I am further aware that God does not condemn Elihu along with the other three. However, as I stated yesterday, I still see Elihu accusing someone God declared to be righteous and claiming what seems to be his own knowledge and judgment.
Thus, I sought some help on the issue. I read several short articles on Elihu and his message. They made some interesting points, a few even declaring him the mouthpiece of God. These articles noted a few similarities in Elihu’s accusations to Job to what God said in His response. They also noted some key differences in Elihu’s message to Job versus that of the three friends. One difference I picked up on is Elihu’s point that God has purpose in suffering beyond simple condemnation for wrongdoing.
Another point these articles made is that, though Elihu also accused Job of sin, his accusation focused more on Job’s response to his suffering rather than on his sin being the cause for it. I’ll have to look at that more closely, as I heard Elihu say that God uses suffering to turn people to repentance. That still implies to me that Job had sinned prior to the suffering, which we know he didn’t.
I am open to the possibility that my perspective of some of Elihu’s speech is wrong. Even this chapter leaves me wondering about that. Is Elihu asking Job, “Who are you to question God?”, or is he asking, “Why should God respond to you?”. If it’s the first, I find it to be a very valid question which fits with God’s response in the very next chapter. If the second, I find it very interesting that right after Elihu asks this, God answers. As I stated earlier in this book, when we are confused, it is best to seek God for the proper perspective to gain the right understanding rather than try to force things into our own understanding. And that certainly gives me more to think about as I finish this book and read through it the next time.
Job 38-39
The end of Elihu’s speech does indeed flow right into the start of God’s. The gist of it, as far as I can tell, is that Job is not God. He is actually, as we all are, far beneath God. I don’t think that fact was lost on Job. Much of his speech declared God’s sovereignty. But it seems he was missing something. God started His speech to Job with the question, “Who is this who obscures my counsel with ignorant words?” (Job 38:2). So that makes me think that the reprimand to Job is that he tried to pit his own knowledge against the knowledge of God. God was not unaware of Job’s innocence or his suffering. However, Job knew nothing of the workings of God.
In these first two chapters of God’s, “you don’t know what you don’t know” statement, I see Him pointing out more than just His power and supremacy. God is not only the source but also the keeper of all creation. He commands it, provides for it, and is intimately acquainted with it. Thus, Job’s claims that God was not paying attention to Him, did not care about him or how he lived, or was denying him anything he needed were false. The truth is that God is with us, even in our suffering.