Job (as in the Bible) Thoughts

Elihu, the young man amongst them, has listened long and patiently. Now, with utmost respect, he speaks up. But respect does not include dodging truth; he calls a spade a spade.

What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water?
For he has said, "It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God."
Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wickedness.
Surely God will never do wickedly, nor will the Almighty pervert justice.

Elihu is reciting the foolishness of this man, and of any man, who would charge God with wickedness.

Who gave Him charge over the earth? Or who appointed Him over the whole world?
If you have understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words:
Should one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn Him who is most just?

Job is challenged. His friends are challenged. The young man in their midst sees the bigness of God, recognizes that He is just and true, full of mercy and grace, not to be accused.

Elihu illuminates truth in the situation. Elihu enumerates His greatness.

On Sunday we were reminded of the immensity of our God -- our pastor acknowledged his inability to truly capture and describe infinite greatness (indeed, how can it be done?) -- and it is staggering. We contemplated our continent, our planet, the Milky Way galaxy, our solar system, the universe that is home to our galaxy, the "known universe" versus the "unknown universe".

The obvious conclusion? Neil Armstrong had it right when he looked at the earth from the moon. We are small. We need to know that we are small. We don't like to be small. We prefer to think that we are big, that the world revolves around us and our feelings, that mankind is in control. But we are not, thank God.

Yet this is also true: we have significance. Why? Because He created and loved us.

God finally interjects His power and infinite wisdom and speaks to Job out of the whirlwind.

Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me:
Would you indeed annul My judgment? Would you condemn Me that you may be justified?

What a question. It is a question that God alone can ask.

I rejoice today that no one can remove God from His place of judgment and power. He is Love itself. And we are the object of that Love.

May Job's lessons benefit all of us today.