Day 161

Man Doesn’t Have the Answer

Read: Job 34-37

Elihu keeps saying, “Listen to me, I have the answer,” but when we listen we find little help. The fact is that Job and the three “friends” and Elihu do not have the answer because none of them knows what transpired in the opening chapters of the book. There we learn that God allowed Satan to test Job to prove that Job served God, not because of what he received from God, but because he loved God.

There are difficulties in life which we do not understand because we only know part of the facts. In the meantime we need to trust in what we know about God, that he loves us and has some good purpose in it all, even when we cannot understand. “In everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

Elihu has emphasized the greatness of God. He called God “the Almighty” (35:13). He said, “God is mighty” (36:5). He said, “God is great” (36:26). This is true, but he fails to show how this sheds light on Job’s situation. He says essentially the same things as the three “friends” did, although he does not seem to realize it.

Toward the end of his speech, however, Elihu begins to speak in terms similar to those God will soon use. He describes the greatness of God in terms of specific aspects of his great creation. God is great!

PRAYER
Father, often we do not understand how you are dealing with us. Give us faith in you. In Christ. Amen.