Scripture Passage For Today
13 But it is wrong to say God doesn’t listen,
to say the Almighty isn’t concerned.
14 You say you can’t see him,
but he will bring justice if you will only wait.
(Job 35:13-14 NLT)
Observation
Perhaps I spoke too soon. Perhaps I was too critical. In yesterday’s post, I wrote harshly of Elihu’s arrogance, suggesting that his tidy theology was a little too simple, and sucked the mystery out of who God is.
(In defense of my first impression, the guy did take 25 verses to say, “Hey, I’m fixin’ to say something here!”)
Still, the more I read and re-read Elihu’s words (and others’ assessments of them), the more I see ways in which Elihu actually softens some of the harshness of Job’s other detractors, and (more gently than they did) points Job to the possibility that God may not be ignoring him, but rather, may be wishing to speak to him in the midst of his difficulty.
Though I do think Elihu still presumes Job’s sinfulness is behind his tribulation, Elihu promises that God will answer Job’s pleas—that “he will bring justice if [Job] will only wait” (Job 35:14 NLT).
And Elihu is right. After Elihu, the next speaker is God. Elihu prepares for what God will say by speaking, himself, of the majesty of God:
15 Do you know how God controls the storm
and causes the lightning to flash from his clouds?
16 Do you understand how he moves the clouds
with wonderful perfection and skill?
(Job 37:15-16 NLT)
The next thing you know, God is asking the same kinds of questions of Job himself—in a way that makes Elihu’s brief remarks pale by comparison.
My response to all this is not especially “spiritual” or “theological”—it’s relational. I wonder how well Job took it. If I was, in fact, a bit too critical in my initial response about Elihu; if Elihu does, in fact, raise valid points for Job to consider; if Elihu does, as some suggest, serve to transition the book of Job towards God’s appearance in chapter 38 and toward what God would say to Job…I wonder how well Job took it.
I took Elihu as arrogant and verbose. Too much ego and too many words. And yet, perhaps, he had some valuable things to say to Job. I wonder how well Job took it—if Job was able to receive it. I wonder, how well do I take it when God’s imperfect messengers (for, outside of Christ, He has no perfect messengers) deliver God’s wisdom to me?
3 comments:
I like this chapters that God is listening to Job. Even though He doesnt think so and I also thought He took a long time to say what He had to say to Job. And I dont listen as I should when someone is trying to tell me something like advise etc. I need to learn to listen more God please give me the ability to listen more and shut my mouth when you send people to help me in times of need. Praise God.
Pastor, Stick to your guns. You still got five more chapters to pour over before we come to the end you know. Yes, Elihu, just like the others had valid points that apply to our lives About the persona of God. and Yes he talks alot, but I just bet the best is being saved for last.(As you hinted at just yesterday.)
I kind of I like Elihu...He speaks with a passion of one who burns for God (Job 37:1-2). My two cents is that he had some insight into the soul of the matter, imperfect as it was – and then, as Pastor states, the words of Elihu “serve to transition the book of Job towards God’s appearance”…that is really pretty cool! (Great insight Pastor!) Maybe it was his youth and arrogance that clouded his intent...but of the 'friends' of Job...I liked his counsel the best.
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