Job – Be Still…

Job 35:1-16 – God’s Justice

Read Job 35:1-16

Elihu does not hold back from lashing out at Job for the errors in Job’s words and reasoning. I tend to give Job a little more credit that Elihu does, simply because he’s the one who has been devastated. That he has any faith at all is surprising.

What did you think of how Elihu speaks of our behavior? “If you are good, is this some great gift to him? What could you possibly give him?” In Elihu’s estimation, our goodness is irrelevant to God. I would take a different stance and say that our goodness blesses God. It’s not that he “needs” it, but God desires a relationship with his creation. With us. Continue reading “Job 35:1-16 – God’s Justice”

Job 34:1-37 – Rebuked Again

Read Job 34:1-37

If Job responded to Elihu, as he was invited in our last reading, Job’s words are not recorded here. Rather, Elihu continues to share his observations and accusations. It seems Elihu’s audience is larger than just Job and a handful of friends.

Job may think he’s sinless, but even we know that all people are sinful. Thanks to Adam and Eve, we are all afflicted with sin now. That’s why they got thrown out of Eden. God’s presence could not allow sinfulness. Elihu confirms, “Everyone knows that God doesn’t sin! The Almighty can do no wrong.” Elihu makes quite a generalization there assuming “everyone knows.” Continue reading “Job 34:1-37 – Rebuked Again”

Job 33:1-33 – The Youngster Speaks

Read Job 33:1-33

Interesting how Eliju took a whole chapter just to prepare us for his speech, and here we discover what the “youngster” has to say about things. A different generation may not look at Job the same as a peer. Who are Job’s peers? He had grown children living separate lives. I have grown children with lives apart from me (that’s the hardest part of missionary life)! Job would be my peer, or at least in the same “season” of life as me. I can’t imagine losing everything like he did. Does a younger person even begin to imagine such loss?

What do you think of Eliju now? Has your opinion changed? Or is Eliju just a little too “cocky” or sure of himself. Eliju is someone that God loved and used for a purpose. We don’t have to like guy to respect him. Continue reading “Job 33:1-33 – The Youngster Speaks”

Job 32:1-22 – It’s Elihu’s Turn

Read Job 32:1-22

Out of nowhere, a new “friend” makes some noise after respectfully waiting his turn. Elihu now begins his rant about Job’s known dilemma. Did you find it helpful? Do you think Job did? Perhaps Job was so surprised by Elihu’s words that he needed time to process what was just said.

Elihu seemed a bit arrogant at first, but then I appreciated his restraint and respect. So many young people these days would have blurted out what they were feeling with little regard for their elders. (Disclaimer: Not all youth are included in this generalization!) Continue reading “Job 32:1-22 – It’s Elihu’s Turn”

Job 31:1-40 – I’m Innocent!

Read Job 31:1-40

Job’s protest of innocence here gives us a picture of what behaviors he finds to be offensive to God. Job asks over and over, “have I” this or that, believing that if he had done any of those things there would be reason for the calamity he’s endured. It’s as if Job is challenging someone to step forward and finally make an accusation.

We can glean a lot of wisdom from Job in this reading. We can take Job’s words about sinfulness and examine our own lives. Have our own actions and thoughts caused us to be guilty in any of these sins against God? Continue reading “Job 31:1-40 – I’m Innocent!”