For the majority of the book of Job, he was the underdog, according to his friends. Anything he said was twisted and used against him. His three friends had been silenced by God after they spewed enough of their false theology. Elihu claimed to take a different approach, but in reality he followed their plot.
In this chapter Elihu continued his assault against God. He again proved that he was not listening to what Job said. He claimed that Job declared his righteousness to be more than God’s. Job had never said that. He had never implied that. He was questioning what God was doing and why, but that is not the same as what he was being accused of.
Sometimes the godly person is better off to just keep quiet when he learns that those he should be able to trust are not trustworthy. Elihu was certainly emboldened with his words. He was feeding on his false ideas and increasing his verbal attacks against Job. Elihu assumed he had the answers needed here.
In verse 5 he stated that we need to look to the heavens and understand that God is much greater than man. He was right in that. Even though he said that with his mouth, he was behaving himself as though he was greater than God. He was not chosen by God to counsel Job. He was working on behalf of Satan. He was corrupt in his thinking.
Through all this attack, Job was able to keep his integrity. He was able to endure this barrage of false accusations and he kept his hope and trust in God. This is the result of his walk with God prior to this attack from the devil.
In verses 6-7 Elihu suggested that Job’s sin against God did not affect God. Sin does not affect the plan or character of God. He is still God and will do what He had declared, regardless of whether man knows Him or obeys Him. The Bible tells us that God is grieved when one of His children rebel against Him. The Bible also tells us that God’s wrath is kindled against those who defy Him.
God is still God in spite of what man does. God does not become weakened by man’s actions. People may assume that God is weakened by the actions of those who profess to be saved. Too often people make their decisions about God based on what they see others, who profess to be saved, doing. It is true that those who profess to be saved can be a stumblingblock to the lost and to other saints. Paul addressed the sinful actions of a brother in I Corinthians 5. Paul also encouraged the saints to be faithful to the Lord and not condone the sin of their brother.
In verse 10 Elihu implied that the wicked, by which he included Job, do not cry out to God for comfort. They do not ask Him to give them songs in the night. That certainly was not true of Job. He had been crying out to God and he assumed that he could not get God’s attention. Job was wrong in assuming that God was far from him, but these men were wrong in accusing Job of things they knew nothing about.
In verses 11-12 Elihu assumed that we can learn more from the beasts and fowl than anywhere else. This is certainly not true. We can look to God and to His Word and we can learn all we need to know about God. The beasts and the fowl demonstrate God’s wisdom and power and authority. However, they do not replace or supersede God’s Word.
In verse 13 Elihu stated that God does not hear vanity. It is true that He does not respond in kind to vanity. The false assumption here again was that Job was speaking vanity. Elihu should have listened to what he was saying. He was increasing in vanity the longer he spoke.
In verse 14 Elihu assumed that Job had stated that he would not see God. However, Job had stated on more than one occasion that he knew that he would see God and he even referred to Him as his Redeemer. He expected to die one day, but he also believed in the resurrection of the saints.
Elihu concluded this chapter in a similar manner as the previous one. He again accused Job of speaking without thinking. He certainly proved his own arrogance. He had been speaking for some time now about things he was ignorant of. He had made accusations that had no basis in fact. He would soon be silenced as well.
Job needed patience in putting up with these false friends. He needed to learn how to endure hardness as a good soldier of the Lord. His lot was not easy. He had a heavy load to bear. The good news is that his load was not heavier than he could bear under God’s care. He would come forth as gold, as he had previously stated.
That is the good news for a true child of God. Life can be difficult at times, but the true child of God is never alone. God is always there for him or her. We can call upon Him and trust Him at all times.
We have heard of some tragic shootings in the US. again over the past few days. Some people have been killed and others injured. The police and other officials have come out and tried to give words of encouragement to the communities involved. The sad reality is that much of those words of hope have been empty words from people who do not know the Lord, but who want to think positively. We need more than positive thoughts. We need our lives built upon the truth. The truth is God and His Word. That is the only source of truth and of blessing. That is what will carry His child through difficulties. It is important to seek counsel from God’s Word. It is important to trust in God’s Word in all things.
Pastor Bartel