Elihu Continues (Jan 15)

Elihu's discussion here takes the focus off of prior events.  Conversations that we have seen degenerate into accusations from Job's 3 friends, for  Job's friends see Job to be a sinner and that Job's responses are covering up that sin.  In short Job's friends see him hiding something, some really bad sin.  Job's changing responses, on the other hand, evolve to portray his self image to be a self righteous image, a position of where did I do anything wrong?  If I did anything wrong...show me.

It seems that these speechs and responses we have read in Job reflect individuals experiences, observations, traditions, viewpoints and beliefs.  These speakers leave precious little, if any room for God to act in any way...other than the way the speakers believe God should act.   It seems that the speakers may have shrunk God and reduced God's power by creating God in their own image.

We should again read Genesis 1:26, God created us in His image.  Let us not make the same mistake of shrinking God.  God is powerful, awesome, mighty and just.

Elihu's speech here changes the focus from the exhaustive speeches and turns it to God by painting a picture of a powerful and potent God.  Many attributes are as follow:

Gives songs in the night
Teaches
Makes us wise
Mighty
Firm
Enthrones and exhaults righteous
Tells bondaged what they did
Commands repentence
Woos from jaws of distress to a spacious place free of restriction
Exalted in power
Beyond our understanding
Draws up water
Spreads out the clouds
Governs
Provides food in abundance
Unleashes lighning
Thunders in marvelous ways
Perfect in knowledge
Beyond our reach and exalted in power

Elihu in changing the focus to God, now sets the stage for the LORD's answering Job out of the storm. 

How many of us look for God and God's comfort in storms?  God can be found in the storms and crucibles of life.  He uses them to refine us and build character and faith.  Remember, Job praised God at the beginning of this "storm."  

Remember God knows our human suffering, His Son died on the cross for us.  He is with us in our trials.

Pray for spiritual growth.

In Christ


David P