Word Twisting
Elihu continues his very long speech. This time he talks about Job saying that Job thinks that he is in the right not God. I really don't think that's what Job was trying to say. Job was suffering, he declared his innocence; he wants God to take the suffering from him, but it seems like God does not hear him. He's trying to understand why God has given him the burden of suffering. At least that is my take on this.
What Elihu is doing is really doing is twisting Job's words and calling it wisdom. He is saying to Job that sinning does nothing to God but only affects humans like Job. On the other hand righteousness affects other people only. In other words right doing and wrong doing is contained to the world. It does not affect God.
He continues and says that people cry out when they are oppressed. They want relief from those who are powerful over them. No one asks for a song in the night that is given by God. He does not answer when people cry out when they are arrogant and wicked. He does not listen to their empty cries. He pays no attention to it. Job, do you think that God will listen to you when he doesn't listen to the oppressed?
Speaking for God
And here comes the mockery again. Elihu says, so when Job opens his mouth it is with empty talk and without knowledge he just says a whole lot of words.
You would think that Elihu stops talking but he doesn't. He continues his very long speech. He continues by saying there's more to be said on God's behalf. He seems a little cocky to be a self-appointed spokesperson for God. He thinks that his words are not false and that he has perfect knowledge. Wow! Really Elihu?
He says God is mighty and he doesn't keep the wicked alive. But he gives the afflicted their rights. He keeps his eyes on the righteous, gives them kings and exalts them forever. But if a person is bound by chains then God will tell him what he has done. God makes people like this to listen to correction and tells them to repent of evil. If they repent, they live in prosperity; but if they don't they will perish by sword and die without knowledge.
Those who suffer God delivers and speaks to them in affliction. God is trying to woo them away from distress and give them a place of comfort at their table filled with choice food.
But Job now has to deal with God's judgment because he is wicked. Then he goes through the list of things that Job should do. For example do not long for the night to drag people away from their homes. Then Elihu exalts God for his power, as a teacher, and for his work. And we all see this power.
He says God is great; so much so that he is beyond our understanding. I think that's a really good statement. Probably the best thing that he said out of his whole speech.
The Great Things God Does
Then Elihu gives examples of the great things that God does. For example he draws up drops of water which to spill as rain to the streams. The clouds pour down there moisture and it falls on mankind. Who can understand the spreading clouds, the thunder and the lightning? Elihu gets excited about this thought. In fact he said his heart pounds and leaps.
He says listen to the roar of God's voice; The rumble from his mouth. He continues to describe the awesome power of God. This is the kind of power that makes you tremble and your boots. God says to snow, fall. Rain, be a mighty downpour. He's bragging on God. He saying that God is mighty when he says something and moves. The animals take cover when the tempest of God comes out. God's breath makes ice and all the water becomes frozen. That's God directs the clouds to swirl throughout the earth.
Elihu describes the other wonders of God and then asks Joe does he know how God controls the clouds and make lightning flash. Then he asks Job, what should we say to God? In all of God's greatness, should we as mere humans say to God, I want to speak?
He continues to describe what God is like. He explains that God is beyond our reach and exalted in power. Therefore people revere him because doesn't he regard the wise in his heart?
In other words Job, you are a sinner so God is not listening to you. But me! I am wise so therefore I am in his heart. This is what Elihu says. And finally! This is the end of his long speech.
My thoughts.
Again, I am not a Bible scholar but Elihu seems to be rather arrogant. He speaks the mind of God as though he is in God's head. He makes pronouncements on Job as though he is God. This is not good, of course. And God basically says this when he gives his speech in the next chapter. I guess we humans are pretty good of taking the bad and making it worse. At least this is what I see Job's friends doing.
That's it for today.
Elihu continues his very long speech. This time he talks about Job saying that Job thinks that he is in the right not God. I really don't think that's what Job was trying to say. Job was suffering, he declared his innocence; he wants God to take the suffering from him, but it seems like God does not hear him. He's trying to understand why God has given him the burden of suffering. At least that is my take on this.
What Elihu is doing is really doing is twisting Job's words and calling it wisdom. He is saying to Job that sinning does nothing to God but only affects humans like Job. On the other hand righteousness affects other people only. In other words right doing and wrong doing is contained to the world. It does not affect God.
He continues and says that people cry out when they are oppressed. They want relief from those who are powerful over them. No one asks for a song in the night that is given by God. He does not answer when people cry out when they are arrogant and wicked. He does not listen to their empty cries. He pays no attention to it. Job, do you think that God will listen to you when he doesn't listen to the oppressed?
Speaking for God
And here comes the mockery again. Elihu says, so when Job opens his mouth it is with empty talk and without knowledge he just says a whole lot of words.
You would think that Elihu stops talking but he doesn't. He continues his very long speech. He continues by saying there's more to be said on God's behalf. He seems a little cocky to be a self-appointed spokesperson for God. He thinks that his words are not false and that he has perfect knowledge. Wow! Really Elihu?
He says God is mighty and he doesn't keep the wicked alive. But he gives the afflicted their rights. He keeps his eyes on the righteous, gives them kings and exalts them forever. But if a person is bound by chains then God will tell him what he has done. God makes people like this to listen to correction and tells them to repent of evil. If they repent, they live in prosperity; but if they don't they will perish by sword and die without knowledge.
Those who suffer God delivers and speaks to them in affliction. God is trying to woo them away from distress and give them a place of comfort at their table filled with choice food.
But Job now has to deal with God's judgment because he is wicked. Then he goes through the list of things that Job should do. For example do not long for the night to drag people away from their homes. Then Elihu exalts God for his power, as a teacher, and for his work. And we all see this power.
He says God is great; so much so that he is beyond our understanding. I think that's a really good statement. Probably the best thing that he said out of his whole speech.
The Great Things God Does
Then Elihu gives examples of the great things that God does. For example he draws up drops of water which to spill as rain to the streams. The clouds pour down there moisture and it falls on mankind. Who can understand the spreading clouds, the thunder and the lightning? Elihu gets excited about this thought. In fact he said his heart pounds and leaps.
He says listen to the roar of God's voice; The rumble from his mouth. He continues to describe the awesome power of God. This is the kind of power that makes you tremble and your boots. God says to snow, fall. Rain, be a mighty downpour. He's bragging on God. He saying that God is mighty when he says something and moves. The animals take cover when the tempest of God comes out. God's breath makes ice and all the water becomes frozen. That's God directs the clouds to swirl throughout the earth.
Elihu describes the other wonders of God and then asks Joe does he know how God controls the clouds and make lightning flash. Then he asks Job, what should we say to God? In all of God's greatness, should we as mere humans say to God, I want to speak?
He continues to describe what God is like. He explains that God is beyond our reach and exalted in power. Therefore people revere him because doesn't he regard the wise in his heart?
In other words Job, you are a sinner so God is not listening to you. But me! I am wise so therefore I am in his heart. This is what Elihu says. And finally! This is the end of his long speech.
My thoughts.
Again, I am not a Bible scholar but Elihu seems to be rather arrogant. He speaks the mind of God as though he is in God's head. He makes pronouncements on Job as though he is God. This is not good, of course. And God basically says this when he gives his speech in the next chapter. I guess we humans are pretty good of taking the bad and making it worse. At least this is what I see Job's friends doing.
That's it for today.
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