Fri.’s Devo - Blah, Blah, Blah

Read Job 35-36:14 Elihu just couldn’t get enough of himself so he continues. He accuses Job of thinking he is more righteous than God. Obviously Elihu is not a good listener. He challenges Job’s question of what good is it to be cleansed from sin. (I don’t think Job put it that way, but this was Elihu’s interpretation.) He asks: how does our sin or our righteousness affect God? It certainly affects our fellow man. The wicked man lives by his own strength and doesn’t cry out to God. His pride keeps him from the mercy of God. God may be invisible, but he is surely present and he will have the last word. Elihu, in Chapter 36 has the audacity to tell Job that he is speaking to him on God’s behalf. And since they are God’s words, they are true. He tells him that God doesn’t restore the life of the wicked, only the poor. He takes care of the righteous and establishes them and exalts them. If they are bound in affliction, God shows them why and helps them to be set free. He disciplines his children and if they obey and serve him, then they will reap prosperity and joy. If they choose to disobey, then they die a violent death. Those who are hypocrites fall under the wrath of God and die young under God’s curse. Elihu has reduced God to a formula and disregards the fact that God is God and he can turn a piece of pottery into a vessel for honor or a vessel of dishonor. (Ro. 9:21; 2 Tim. 2:20) God is the one in control, not us. We can’t even be saved unless we are chosen and drawn by God. (John 6:44) Joseph’s life was an example of God’s plan emerging from great oppression and persecution. We can’t look at circumstances and judge. Only God can be the judge and he judges rightly. Lord, help us not be tempted to judge others circumstances or our own but to pray that God’s perfect plan will emerge.