Day #12 - This post is part of a year-long series where we are reading chronologically through the ESV Study Bible. Click here to learn more. You are most welcome to join along at any time.
Today's text from the ESV Study Bible: Job 32-34
Oh boy, here we go again! Who is this young whippersnapper? Where on earth did Elihu come from?
You know, I think Laurie Mathers hit the nail on the head, when she made a comment in this blog a few days ago:
"The things they speak are not wrong things per se. What appears to be wrong is the glibness and ignorance in which they are spoken. It brought to mind things I've said over the years to others who were struggling...when I presumed to know something which in reality I had no way of knowing... arrogantly spouting true doctrine yet inappropriate, either because of my ignorance, or my arrogance, to the situation. I think sometimes our greatest fault as Christians is our glibness. We would well benefit to be slow to speak, and quick, in the absence of clear evidence of sin, to assume the best of our brothers and sisters in their struggles and pain."
We were made in the image of God, and in our fallen state we sometimes like to think that we can speak with great knowledge, and perhaps even possess the mind of God.
I suppose it is entirely possible that God would give us words to say. We see this proclaimed in the New Testament. But here, in these four men, I am not finding any humility. I am finding 4 men who have improperly judged the situation, even though there is great truth in much of what they say, and spoken sinfully as to speak judgment for God.
We can easily assess this because we are privy to the first chapter. Right?
Therefore, it seems to me, as Laurie has pointed out, that one of the great lessons of this book has to do with the attitude of our counsel.
We are not God, we do not know the mind of God, consequently, when we find ourselves in a position of counsel we should come alongside in love, leave judgment to God, and point our friends to the word of God, and encourage them to seek his face in prayer.It seems that God, above all, desires us to be in relationship with him. All of our life, and all of our counsel must keep that in mind, and like the Holy Spirit, be continually pointing to Christ.
I found myself in a counseling situation yesterday, and quickly realized that there was so much that I didn't know, and therefore was completely lost to offer any certain wisdom.
The only thing that came to view was to share applicable words from God's word, and point the two young people towards God.
Now, as difficult as it sometimes seems, I must rely on the mercy, the loving-kindness, the sovereignty, and the omniscience of God, for I have no idea what God might be doing in the lives of these two dear people.
I am looking forward to God speaking after Elihu completes his diatribe.
Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section just below.