Could we have finally heard the reason for all the calamity in Job's life? I saw it in verse 36:21:
This is a powerful statement. Job is listening but I wonder if he hears. Elihu made two important points Job should have chimed in on:
Be on guard! Turn back from evil, for it was to prevent you from getting into a life of evil that God sent this suffering.
This is a powerful statement. Job is listening but I wonder if he hears. Elihu made two important points Job should have chimed in on:
- God sent the suffering.
- The suffering for his protection.
I am not sure what Job heard, if got the message but I did. Elihu is suggesting that Job was headed down the wrong road. (Reread 36:16-21) Sometimes, in God's providential care for us He allows suffering to come into our lives as a source of protection from further calamity. I have come to know this as truth in my own life. It was not a lesson learned quickly. It came after many years of walking with or following behind the Lord. Sometimes suffering will prevent future sin.
As a parent if I see my son doing something that could potentially bring him pain and suffering I warn him of the dangers and tell him not to continue. When, notice I did not say if, my son responds to my warning with the sin of disobedience I could try to protect him with my words or I could allow him to suffer for his sin. Which do you think would prevent him from following this same course of sin again, my words or the suffering? The suffering of course. Don't we remember the painful lessons much better and longer than mountaintop lessons.
Why do some suffer more than others? Is it because one person has more sin in their life than another? Is all suffering from God? Is all suffering because of sin? I wish I knew. I will repeat the wise words of the young whipper snapper Elihu:
I know that all things, not some, but all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. (I read that in a great book--Romans 8:28) Paul's words and the words of Elihu bring great comfort through my suffering. I hope you can take great comfort in their words, too.
As a parent if I see my son doing something that could potentially bring him pain and suffering I warn him of the dangers and tell him not to continue. When, notice I did not say if, my son responds to my warning with the sin of disobedience I could try to protect him with my words or I could allow him to suffer for his sin. Which do you think would prevent him from following this same course of sin again, my words or the suffering? The suffering of course. Don't we remember the painful lessons much better and longer than mountaintop lessons.
Why do some suffer more than others? Is it because one person has more sin in their life than another? Is all suffering from God? Is all suffering because of sin? I wish I knew. I will repeat the wise words of the young whipper snapper Elihu:
"If troubles comes upon them and they are enslaved and afflicted, He takes the trouble to show them the reason." (36:8-9)
I know that all things, not some, but all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. (I read that in a great book--Romans 8:28) Paul's words and the words of Elihu bring great comfort through my suffering. I hope you can take great comfort in their words, too.
8 Comments:
Along this same line, if you back up one more verse, Job 36:15 says, "by means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer. For he gets their attention through adversity."
A friend of mine was sharing with me what this verse meant to her - about God 'rescuing' those who suffer. Her thoughts were two-fold: 1. God rescues us from a life of sin by allowing the suffering to grab our attention, or 2. He rescues us from the suffering by removing us from the suffering and taking us to heaven to be with Him. Interesting thoughts how 'suffering' can be form of 'rescue'.
Living in Canada, and after the snowfall of yesterday - adding to the already mountains of snow we have here, I have to admit to chuckling as I read, "He directs the snow to fall on the earth...Then everyone stops working so they can watch his power." (Job 37:6-7) It was a "snow day" for many yesterday! A winter wonderland surrounds me today.
Blessings,
Joy
As I personally am experiencing great suffering, I know God is using this time to prepare me for a better tomorrow. What calmaity he is saving me from, I am not sure, but the lessons we derive from pain and suffering are immeasurable. Yes, Wendy you are so right about this! The greatest thing about Job is that it gives us all hope ... that if we persevere and keep our faith in God, we will be victorious! We have nothing to fear!
I too marked "He rescues those who suffer. For He gets their attention thru adversity." We don't like to suffer. But does it get our attention? Yes! It removes our daily attention on self and if we're smart, moves it to Him. In our humanness we think we know what's good or bad. Things that seem bad can actually be good. Another verse says: "he will bring justice if you will only wait." That's where Trust comes in. Lord, please help me to fear and trust you more and more.
Joyful - I also chuckled at the "snowfall and His breath sending the ice" verses. It made me think differently. I have been complaining ALOT about the cold here in MN. I need instead to praise Him for His wonderful miracles and power. It is His choice what to do with the weather. I in turn need to choose to praise Him no matter what!
Morgen - MN
WOW....Elihu is really passionate about his God!
Questions I pondered:
How often are we called upon to defend God and when we are finished have we persuaded anyone for the cause of Christ?
For I have not finished defending God!I will present profound arguments for the righteousness of my Creator. Job 36:3
Can we comprehend the love God has for everyone, not just those who serve him.
“God is mighty, but he does not despise anyone! Job 36:5
What are we doing instead of.....
Instead, glorify his mighty works,
singing songs of praise. Job 36:24
Debbie - North Carolina
Debbie, I found the verses on "defending God" interesting too. Just a week ago the University here in town hosted a "Does God Exist" debate between Athiest, Prof. Christopher Di Carlo and Rev. Joe Boot. Over 2500 people packed the gym. My husband went, but actually left before the event started as so many young people were still waiting to get inside and because of fire regulations they had to close the doors. My husband and others who KNOW God does exist decided to leave to make room for those who really were questioning and seeking.
I've heard positive feedback and our church is working with some of the follow-up now from this event.
God's Word tells us to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you..." I Peter 3:15.
My hope is in Him,
Joy
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There are a few other tidbits from todays reading that hit a cord with me.
The first one was Job 35:6-8
"If you sin, how does that affect God? Even if you sin again and again what affect will it have on him? If you are good, is this some great gift to Him? What could you possibly give Him? No your sins affect only people like yourself, and your good deeds also affect only humans."
Up until this point I never really thought of it this way. What could I possibly give Him? I know he is disappointed in some of the choices I have made in the past but it does not make Him love me any less. The only one who ends up getting hurt when we sin is ourselves (and others here on earth. I don't know why but these did speak to me this morning and I ended up pondering it throughout today...perhaps he is trying to tell me something???
The other thing that stood out was verse 13 and 14. Elihu is telling Job that it is wrong to say the God doesn't listen and that he is not concerned. This strikes a cord with me because my sister is having a hard time with her 14 year old son. He is very rebellious and the family has been dealing with alot. She keeps asking me to keep them in our prayers and then she follows it up by saying that she doesn't think God hears her prayers regarding this. She wants God to hear her but I don't think she actively seeks Him...there is no personal relationship there....I pray for them all the time...can you add them to your prayers if you think about it? Sometimes when she is complaining about how God isn't listening I want to tell her just what Elihu told Job in verse 16 "But you are talking nonsense...you have spoken like a fool" However, I know that that is not what she needs to hear... :)
Finally, I love where Elihu challenges Job to stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God. There is no better way to get out of a pit than to be still and look for God in the midst of a storm.
Blessings to all who are on this journey.
First, Julie, love, love your comments. And, I am already praying for your sister and nephew...when the suffering involved your children it is so hard to see clearly at all. I am praying.
Wendy, I loved what you had to say today. I just loved it. I pondered a little bit along those lines but didn't connect the dots like you did so beautifully. Thank you again for sharing your heart with us.
I have to chuckle because so many of you commented on the snow verses..I live in Texas. Snow, what's that? :)
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