Thursday, September 26, 2024

Job 34

Looking in the mirror
Job 34  

FRIDAY  Reflections

The core of Elihu's problem with Job's logic is Elihu understands Job is saying that serving God doesn't profit a person anything (verse 9). Elihu knows God is just and righteous so he sees Job's complaints as an accusation against God's righteousness. He, in verses 31-37, advises Job to ask God to show him where he has done wrong rather than insist on his own righteousness. Elihu's view is Job must not know what he is talking about.

We know by God's own testimony Job is righteous and hasn't sinned, except perhaps now by doubting God during this trial. Elihu doesn't know this and is answering just from what he has seen. What he sees is a man accusing God of being unfair. Elihu sees a man who hasn't asked God, "Have I sinned?"

Outside of the poetry and back and forth between Job and those around him, there is one question we all need to ask when things go wrong. We need to ask and be willing to hear the answer is, "God, is this my fault?" Often, though we may not want to admit it, it is. If it is, then we need to repent and try to make it right. 



Job 34:1-37
(1)  Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
(2)  Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
(3)  For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
(4)  Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.
(5)  For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.
(6)  Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.
(7)  What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
(8)  Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
(9)  For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
(10)  Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
(11)  For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
(12)  Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
(13)  Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?
(14)  If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
(15)  All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
(16)  If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
(17)  Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?
(18)  Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
(19)  How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
(20)  In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
(21)  For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
(22)  There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
(23)  For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.
(24)  He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
(25)  Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
(26)  He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
(27)  Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:
(28)  So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
(29)  When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:
(30)  That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
(31)  Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:
(32)  That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
(33)  Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
(34)  Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.
(35)  Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
(36)  My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.
(37)  For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.

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