Today's Bible Blog

Then Elihu continued and said, “Wait for me a little, and I will show you that there is yet more to be said in God’s behalf.  “I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and I will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.”For truly my words are not false; One who is perfect in knowledge is with you. “Behold, God is mighty but does not despise any; He is mighty in strength of understanding.”He does not keep the wicked alive, but gives justice to the afflicted. “He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous; but with kings on the throne He has seated them forever, and they are exalted.”And if they are bound in fetters, and are caught in the cords of affliction, then He declares to them their work and their transgressions, that they have magnified themselves.”He opens their ear to instruction, and commands that they return from evil.”If they hear and serve Him, they will end their days in prosperity and their years in pleasures. “But if they do not hear, they shall perish by the sword and they will die without knowledge.

Human philosophy has not changed much in the history of the world. It sees there are often many who would tout their imaginations as being profound when it comes to the invisible God.

Is there more to be said in God’s behalf? Where does this information come from and How will he obtain it? Oh, it comes from “afar” and I will go and fetch it. Man thinks of himself as eclectic. He simply believes that truth is “discovered”. Maybe it would be discovered on an adventure or maybe it will be discovered through sitting at the feet of Plato or Freud. Maybe it will come in a dream and I will take it to myself, discover its meaning and then tell the world what God is like.

You may think my words are foolish, but this is the position of both Elihu and many who today spout their earthy wisdom. God, they say, does not despise anyone as He is a God of love. Since He loves good people, He would never allow the wicked to live. With Elihu, God is simple and works in a very simple manner. In Elihu’s world, God will always make man to know his unrighteousness and give them the opportunity to repent. Then, when they do repent, God will always grant them that “they will end their days in prosperity and their years in pleasures”.

Elihu’s thoughts are the voice and reason of ignorance. He like many people we hear on TV and socialize with speak in the same manner. I wish that I had a nickel for every time I have heard that God is a God of “unconditional love”. Thoughts like “God will always rescue you” and “God will always work everything to your good” will be with us until the end. If as Elihu says, God will open the ear for instruction, why would Elihu have to travel far away to learn about God? God is near. But God is not simple and neither is He one to put up with the slander of man who says that He is and does apart from what He has revealed Himself to be.  “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.” Hebrews 1:1-2 (NIV)  Do not look for God afar off, but look for Him in His Son.

Looking into eternity,

Bill

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Then Elihu continued and said, do you think this is according to justice? Do you say, ‘my righteousness is more than God’s'?  For you say, ‘What advantage will it be to you? What profit will I have, more than if I had sinned?’ I will answer you, and your friends with you. Look at the heavens and see; and behold the clouds—they are higher than you.  If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against Him? And if your transgressions are many, what do you do to Him?  If you are righteous, what do you give to Him, or what does He receive from your hand? Your wickedness is for a man like yourself, and your righteousness is for a son of man. Because of the multitude of oppressions they cry out; they cry for help because of the arm of the mighty.  But no one says, ‘where is God my Maker, Who gives songs in the night, Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?’ There they cry out, but He does not answer because of the pride of evil men. Surely God will not listen to an empty cry, nor will the Almighty regard it. How much less when you say you do not behold Him, the case is before Him, and you must wait for Him! And now, because He has not visited in His anger, nor has He acknowledged transgression well, so Job opens his mouth emptily; he multiplies words without knowledge.”

“Do you think this is according to justice?  

Job had commented on justice in his case earlier. 19:27 He spoke of the atrocities that had fallen upon him. He was appealing for Justice. Justice would come, but not until it comes for all of those who suffer unjustly and hold on their faith in God. It comes with the death of Christ. They had missed what is probably the greatest testimony of Job. “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God”; Job 19:25-26

“Do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s'?

Job had already said that earlier in life he put on righteousness like clothing. Job 29:14 He also spoke that which was true in him. Nevertheless the righteous will hold to his way, and he who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger. What he spoke of foreshadowed the righteousness of Christ that we put on Philippians 3:9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith…

“For you say, ‘What advantage will it be to You; what profit will I have, more than if I had sinned?’

Paul told Timothy something that Job knew by faith over 3,000 years before God called him. “…for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 Job knew, although in his sorrow he wished it could be different, this life holds no hope. The only profit a person can actually gain will be rewarded to him in the next life. Luke 6:23 “But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 1 Timothy 6:6-7

“Look at the heavens and see; And behold the clouds—they are higher than you. “If you have  sinned, what do you accomplish against Him? And if your transgressions are many, what do you do to Him?

There are those who are deceived into thinking that our creator is some sort of being that immune to emotion. That He is above receiving from us anything. God has spoken on this matter. Moses recorded, “And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. Genesis 6:6 When the wickedness of man was upon the Earth, just prior to the great flood, God sorrowed and there was no one to console Him but Himself. This is from the same emotion that Job was experiencing his trial. He had only himself to comfort himself. Furthermore, what do the sins of man do to God? Behold, the LORD’S hand is not so short that it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2

“If you are righteous, what do you give to Him, or what does He receive from your hand?  ”Your wickedness is for a man like yourself, and your righteousness is for a son of man. “Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?’ Job would be restored and God would eventually be satisfied with Job’s faithfulness. It is later said concerning the suffering of Jesus, As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:11 There is in God the ability to receive or to be blessed by the righteous acts of those on Earth. God senses satisfaction when others act in a manner that is consistent with His nature. At this time Job is giving to God. How about you? What are you giving to God?

Paul commented to the believers in Rome, that while we may be on earth, God receives from us. “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1 Your living and holy sacrifice is acceptable or “pleasing” to God who is in Heaven.

Looking into eternity,

Bill

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“For has anyone said to God, ‘ I have borne chastening; I will offend no more; teach me what I do not see; If I have done iniquity, I will do no more’? Should He repay it according to your terms, just because you disavow it? You must choose, and not I; Therefore speak what you know. “

Many people have come to a point in their life where they, in their rebellion against God and His truth, finally surrender. Some die in their willful self-determination, but not many. Elihu asks the question,” Should God repay you according to your terms, just because you have renounced your ways? Why should God give in to your terms? Elihu is not without knowledge. In some ways, he is far ahead of our society today. In America, people are often taught that if we will just quit what we are doing that is wicked: abortion, graft, sexual immorality etc, God will make us prosperous again. Even as a nation, we are very short-sighted.

But, Job is not the man that Elihu suggests. This account of Job begins like this: “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil. Job 1:1 Few men are like Job. What nation is like Job? If there ever was a man that could simply turn the wrath of God by his appeal, Job would have been a candidate to take a stand. I wish we had a man like Job for our country.

While I am reading this text, I can visualize Elihu speaking to Job and then while his body is still facing Job, Elihu turns his head toward the other three friends and whines at them saying, “Men of understanding say to me, Wise men who listen to me: ‘Job speaks without knowledge, His words are without wisdom.’ Oh, that Job were tried to the utmost, Because his answers are like those of wicked men! For he adds rebellion to his sin; He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God.”

I do not know what blindness has overcome Elihu, but Job has been tried to the uttermost. His children; DEAD, his livelihood, STOLEN his hope in this life is GONE. What else has he to lose? Have you sat in a pit of ash and scraped your festering boils with potsherds lately? Job 2:7,8

Father: “Help me to not judge a man by his physical condition. Help me to be eager to hand out mercy and help me to hold my arrogant tongue when I am tempted to offer my philosophy to those who mourn. Be merciful to me and do not allow me to become one who is wise in his own eyes.

Looking into eternity,
Bill

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Job 34:16-30   Elihu continues…this time directly to Job.

“If you have understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words:  Should one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn Him who is most just? Is it fitting to say to a king, ‘You are worthless,’ And to nobles, ‘You are wicked’?  Yet He is not partial to princes, nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; for they are all the work of His hands. In a moment they die, in the middle of the night; the people are shaken and pass away; the mighty are taken away without a hand. “For His eyes are on the ways of man, And He sees all his steps. There is no darkness nor shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.  For He need not further consider a man, that he should go before God in judgment. He breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry, and sets others in their place.  Therefore he knows their works; He overthrows them in the night, and they are crushed. He strikes them as wicked men In the open sight of others, because they turned back from Him, and would not consider any of His ways, so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to Him; For He hears the cry of the afflicted.  When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble? And when He hides His face, who then can see Him, whether it is against a nation or a man alone?– That the hypocrite should not reign, Lest the people be ensnared.”

I do not know whether Elihu waited for a response from Job’s friends or if he just finished his monologue to them and then turned his voice toward Job. It is hard to see if he is a young man who wants to hear himself speak, if he is merely impatient or if the text just does not reveal a time that was left for a response.

Regardless of the turn of events, Elihu turns his attention to Job and appeals to him to reason that his actions are themselves unreasonable. Surely a man who knows God could not conclude that God was unworthy to rule, yet he senses in Job’s words that Job believes this. Surely, he thinks, that Job must understand that God sees all and rewards and punishes people justly.

Elihu’s conclusion is that since God sees all and knows all, Job is without purpose to question God. Job’s condition must have resulted because of Job’s sin, because God is just. Making a commentary on life is quite easy if every event is no more than an exchange of cause and effect between God and man. But, the mind of God is not so easily altered by the actions of man.

Elihu cannot see the scope of the manifold wisdom of God. He does not know the depths of God’s mercy nor does he see the width of His grace. In Elihu’s universe there is no deeper cause of God that is at work here. He does not yet know the joy of the confidence of Christ that Paul spoke of.  ^“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,  nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 This confidence is the very things that Elihu needed to hear. These are things that Job wanted to know. He knew that something was going on in a realm that was beyond his flesh. Thanks be to God that Christ has revealed these things to us.

If you are in the midst of trial today, do not merely look at conventional wisdom. Seek out the love of God. It could be that your trial has come upon you so that drawing near to God you might “May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:18-19

Looking into eternity,

Bill

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Job 34:1-15 Elihu further answered and said: “Hear my words, you wise men; Give ear to me, you who have knowledge. For the ear tests words as the palate tastes food. Let us choose justice for ourselves; Let us know among ourselves what is good. “For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, but God has taken away my justice; Should I lie concerning my right? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ What man is like Job, Who drinks scorn like water, who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men? For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’

Elihu’s comment, “Let us choose justice for ourselves; Let us know among ourselves what is good” is the first warning sign for anyone who thinks himself to be religious. This was the basic flaw of those at the tower of Babel in making a “name for themselves”. It is the prevailing evidence of a person who has their citizenship and Declaration of Independence in the laws of men. It was the error of the people under the Judges of Israel, who “did whatever was right in their own eyes, and it was the temptation of Israel to have an Earthly king like the other nations and then also to divide that kingdom according to their own judgment. It was the leaven of the Pharisees and it has become the hermeneutic of many theologians in churches and institutions of this world. Man, in his choosing justice for himself developed the Papacy, divided it, “Reformed” it, divided the Reformation Movement, “Restored” it, divided the “Restoration Movement”, United the splinters of the movements and formed a “World Council” and now, in these last days has successfully accomplished the total dismantling of profitable religion in the minds of many.

Also, Job used the idea of himself as being righteous twice. Though I am righteous, my mouth will condemn me; Though I am guiltless, He will declare me guilty. Job was comparing his righteousness to the holiness of God and proclaiming the greatness of God and not promoting himself. Job 9:20 and in Job 10:15 he said “IF” I am righteous. IF… IF is the key word. Job was righteous before God, but he took no claim of having arrived at that righteousness by himself.

“Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: Far be it from God to do wickedness, And from the Almighty to commit iniquity. For He repays man according to his work, And makes man to find a reward according to his way. Surely God will never do wickedly, nor will the Almighty pervert justice. Who gave Him charge over the earth? Or who appointed Him over the whole world? If He should set His heart on it, if He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath, All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust.” Elihu has a right thought, but he has misapplied it completely.

True, God cannot do wickedness nor can He commit iniquity and in the end, man will be rewarded according to what he has done while in this life. But, what Elihu fails to see is that Job’s situation is not a punishment for wickedness, but an allowance of God for Job to show himself faithful. Oh, how tempting it is to judge another’s circumstances. Jesus commented on this type of wrong thinking while on the earth. “As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. John 9:1-3

After Job’s time on earth, God’s word will come to Isaiah the prophet to speak regarding the ministry of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Isaiah 42:3-4 “A bruised reed He will not break And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice. “He will not be disheartened or crushed Until He has established justice in the earth; And the coast-lands will wait expectantly for His law.” Both the GRACE and the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God is seen in Jesus. His gentle Spirit and His absolute JUSTNESS is seen in His law of mercy. Regardless of what you think of yourself today, you need the mercy of God that is found in Christ.You need His righteousness and not yours. You need His justice and not one formed by the councils of men.

Looking into eternity, Bill

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