This picture poses two EXCELLENT questions that are exhaustively discussed and argued in the book of Job, as we have all clearly read. I think one of the MOST frustrating things about life is when we see the wicked, the mean, and the evil in this world prosper while in MANY cases the righteous and the obedient suffer over and over in this life. But I think there are a few things to consider here...by what standard are we measuring "prosper" or "success" and how long do the things of this world la
st in light of eternity? As has been so eloquently stated in the last few posts, the book of James states that we should consider it "pure joy" when we face trials. Why? Because God loves us too much to leave us the way we are! His goal is to make us more and more like Jesus. And so this is where faith comes in. Isn't there some other way to make us more like Jesus other than suffering here on this earth? So we have to have faith in the Lord that He always has what is best for us in mind and that what happens to us during suffering is the "best" way to bring us to that goal. After all, how did Jesus accomplish His ultimate goal while here on earth of providing us with salvation so that we could spend eternity with Him...THROUGH HIS SUFFERING!!! If Jesus Himself was NOT exempt from suffering, than why should we be exempt from it as mere sinful humans? And is our faith dependent on what we can get from God in return (rewards)? An interesting question to ponder because we really need to think about why we have faith in the Lord. Is it because He can do something for us or give us something or is it because of WHO He is and His past actions of what He has done to display WHO He is? These are some VERY important questions you should be asking yourselves throughout this book and wrestling with God over!!!
st in light of eternity? As has been so eloquently stated in the last few posts, the book of James states that we should consider it "pure joy" when we face trials. Why? Because God loves us too much to leave us the way we are! His goal is to make us more and more like Jesus. And so this is where faith comes in. Isn't there some other way to make us more like Jesus other than suffering here on this earth? So we have to have faith in the Lord that He always has what is best for us in mind and that what happens to us during suffering is the "best" way to bring us to that goal. After all, how did Jesus accomplish His ultimate goal while here on earth of providing us with salvation so that we could spend eternity with Him...THROUGH HIS SUFFERING!!! If Jesus Himself was NOT exempt from suffering, than why should we be exempt from it as mere sinful humans? And is our faith dependent on what we can get from God in return (rewards)? An interesting question to ponder because we really need to think about why we have faith in the Lord. Is it because He can do something for us or give us something or is it because of WHO He is and His past actions of what He has done to display WHO He is? These are some VERY important questions you should be asking yourselves throughout this book and wrestling with God over!!!So here we have come to the second half of the book of Job and all of us are saying to ourselves and to each other, "Wow...this book is super long! Are these men ever going to stop talking?" And lo and behold the first three buddies stop talking and suddenly in ju
mps this Elihu dude. Where did he come from? He has not been mentioned at all this whole time and now we have to listen to ANOTHER pompous windbag...REALLY?!?!? Take a look at the two questions regarding windbags in this picture. :) Well, I did a little research on Elihu and here are some interesting tidbits I found out. The view of many scholars is that the four speeches of Elihu were added as a later addition to the book of Job. Elihu's speeches can be offered as a human middle ground between the positions of Job and his friends. Elihu is younger than Job and his other three friends and out of respect remains silent until this point in time when the older three friends are done speaking.
mps this Elihu dude. Where did he come from? He has not been mentioned at all this whole time and now we have to listen to ANOTHER pompous windbag...REALLY?!?!? Take a look at the two questions regarding windbags in this picture. :) Well, I did a little research on Elihu and here are some interesting tidbits I found out. The view of many scholars is that the four speeches of Elihu were added as a later addition to the book of Job. Elihu's speeches can be offered as a human middle ground between the positions of Job and his friends. Elihu is younger than Job and his other three friends and out of respect remains silent until this point in time when the older three friends are done speaking. But chapter 32 verse 18 says, "For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me." This is like a Christian when he or she is full of the Holy Spirit...we are ready to BURST with the Good News of the Gospel just as Elihu was ready to burst with speech from keeping quiet! If we do not worship the Lord, the stones will cry out!! (Luke 19:40) Have you ever felt like you were about to explode because you were so full of the Holy Spirit? It is an AWESOME feeling and one that I hope each of you will experience at least once in your lifetime!
I also love the way in Chapter 33 verse 4 that Elihu acknowledges where life comes from. So simply profound and yet so true against all the world views that say evolution or the "big bang" are the reasons for the existence of life. And also in Chapter 33 verses 23-28 is the plan of salvation all the way back here in possibly the oldest of all the books in the Bible. Do you see how all of these key and foundational concepts are woven all throughout the Bible? It is just so consistent throughout the whole Scriptures which lends so much to its validity and truth.
So are you ready to finally hear the Lord's response and rebuke to all of this talking and arguing? Hang on...it starts in chapter 38 and it is powerful! So...are you ready? READ ON!!!
The book of Job has posed so many questions (all versions of these discussed here) for me, personally. I never knew how rich it truly was!!! Thanks, Mindy, I'M READY!!!!! :)
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