SCRIPTURE: Job 32
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence. Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that God was right in punishing him. He was also angry with Job’s three friends, for they made God appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments. [Job 32:1-3]
Will this never end; just when Job’s three friends finally quit arguing with him, up steps this new guy Elihu.
And for the next 7 chapters we are going to have to listen to him attack Job
Can anything be added that hasn’t already been said?
A big part of me is tiring of this debate, I can’t wait to get to the end of this book so I can move on.
So they failed to trap him by what he said in front of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they became silent. Then Jesus was approached by some Sadducees—religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead. [Luke 20:26-27]
Hmm, I am thinking Jesus probably felt the same way.
Every day He was challenged for what He taught; day after day they debated Him and disputed what He said.
It must have seemed a relief when He finally silenced the Pharisees – a break from the daily barrage.
But it does not end, up steps the Sadduccees, ready to try their hand at attacking Jesus.
And so it goes on, right to the very end of Jesus’ life; at the very end all of His opponents join forces together -even though they do not agree with each other – to defeat Him.
So do we think that we will ever reach a point when we will not face doubts, or be challenged for what we believe?
Do we imagine that faith will be easy for us, that Satan and his spokespersons will leave us alone?
Don’t count on it; I expect that our faith will continue to be challenged until the day that we die.
Satan will not give up; even if we defeat him in one area, he will rise up in another.
Not meaning to be discouraging but just being realistic.
Satan may pull back for a moment, but he will always be looking for a way to discourage, distract and defeat us.
When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came. [Luke 4:13]
Even though Jesus silenced the devil in the wilderness, the devil did not give up, just changed his tactics.
This is why we must always be alert, always be praying, always be renewing ourselves in our relationship with God.
The battle will not end until the Lord returns, or calls us home!
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. [1 Peter 5:8-9]
PRAYER:
Lord, I see how the battle is being fought around and in me, and yet I am not always staying alert to the devil’s tactics. Help me to persevere until the end, even when I get tired of the battle.
Oh boy, have you ever felt like an Elihu?
I know I have … when he comments in his opening speech
“Do you three have nothing else to say? Of course you don’t! You’re total frauds! Why should I wait any longer, now that you’re dead in your tracks? I’m ready to speak my piece. That’s right! it’s my turn – and its about time! I’ve got a lot to say, and I’m bursting to say it. The pressure has built up, like lava beneath the earth. I’m a volcano ready to blow. I have to speack – I have no choice. I have to say what’s on my heart, and I’m going to say it straight …”
Oh boy, have I ever felt like that … too many times … it’s like my blood runs hot and I am just in a stop motion in time … and then out it all comes out – thinking I am so smart and I have all the answers – how could others be so blind! Ooch!! La, la, la!
All I can say is that I am grateful for patient friends, family and a patient and loving God that loves me despite my arrogant outbursts.
This mindframe is such a dangerous one – and boy does it get you into so much trouble! Especially when you assume you know all the details when most times we don’t (especially in this passage they all definately did not).
You know what they say about assuming …
Heaven help me to hold my tongue and be a tried and true listener. Be still my child and listen …
And the talks continue 🙂 Elihu certainly knew his place being younger than the rest. And being younger, he thought wisdom should have surfaced in the words spoken by the older friends. It had not. Wisdom did not come with age in this situation.
‘It is the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.’ God in us and through us. God compels us and leads us. And so Elihu speaks and starts to share his insights to the great ‘debate’. He needs to find relief of what has been going on. No longer a bystander, but has decided to join in.
I am reminded of Daniel and his friends, they too were young. It states that it is the Lord God who gives wisdom and understanding. Wherever we are, we need to give our allegiance to God first who is our All in all. Does Elihu have that source within him or is he too like his friends and the same mold continues.
He leadeth me, O blessed thought!
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
Refrain:
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful foll’wer I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.
Sometimes ’mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters still, o’er troubled sea,
Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me.
Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ’tis my God that leadeth me.
And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me.