"Elihu had waited for the others for the others to speak to Job because were older than he."
Job 32:4
Job 32:4
My Take Aways:
Something Old:
Job 33:14
"For God speaks again and again though people do not recognize it." I am "people." He speaks and sadly sometimes I don't recognize His voice.
Something New:
Job 33:19-21
There is a connection to Psalm 32:4 and the affect sin has on us.
Something to Do:
Stay close enough to hear God whisper to me.
Thank God for those in my life who care enough about my walk with the Lord to talk straight to me.
31 Comments:
Yesterday I was dry, and today I am having trouble deciding which element of the reading to focus on! Elihu to the rescue!
Didn't know: I also didn't know Elihu was there this whole time! Now in my mind's eye, I see a group of five men sitting in a group with one blending in to the background listening.
Familiar and new: the Names of God in Chapter 33;
El-berith - God of the Covenant
Eloah or Elohim - God Almighty
Jahovah - One true God
My nuggets for today; there were so many, I am having a hard time. I loved Job 33:12-14
God is greater than any human being.
13 So why are you bringing a charge against him?
Why say he does not respond to people’s complaints?
14 For God speaks again and again,
though people do not recognize it.
That says it all; there is no comparison between God and man. Who are we to strive against Him? His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). No one has ever been God's counselor (Romans 11:34). Job was a righteous man, but in his troubles he forgot these truths. I hope I don't forget them in my troubles.
Last nugget Job 33: 23-24, 28
23 “But if an angel from heaven appears—
a special messenger to intercede for a person
and declare that he is upright—
24 he will be gracious and say,
‘Rescue him from the grave,
for I have found a ransom for his life.’
28 God rescued me from the grave,
and now my life is filled with light.’
The word for light in verse 28 means in part "Jehovah as Israel's light", so the verse can read -
God rescued me from the pit and now my life is filled with Jahovah, Light of the World! Everyday I pray I see this truth!
Thanks Lori for keeping the prayer list and thank you, all posters, for brining so much truth and openness to this study! Brandee, I hope Will's birthday was spectacular!
Be blessed today everyone!
DAY 28
A new friend on the scene - Elihu! Thank you for the great video Wendy. You asked us to tell you who our Elihu is. Mine is my daughter Tina! Now that she is a mother of two teen boys, she is far wiser than I was when I had two teen boys - and her. She speaks truth to me. We share our struggles, hopes, and tears together. When either of us are having a Job-cycle when we ask God "Why?" - God will use the other one of us to "whisper" in our ear that He IS there and that He DOES care.
Thank you Lord for my Elihu - her nickname is Tina.
Wanted to say thanks to Lori for the list. Great job on keeping all that together!
Wendy, thanks for the vlog, again! My husband just got back from the Ukraine!PTL So I was telling him this morning that there are days I might get just a little bit from a chapter(especially in Job) but when I come on and see your video, God opens my eyes even more.
We were both laughing this morning at your Southern-Hebrew! Thought that was cute.
One thing that gave me a vivid mental picture was 34:14-15. If God were to take back his spirit and withdraw his breath, all life would cease, and humanity would turn again to dust.
We know that God holds the power to life and death, but just seeing in my minds eye every living person falling to the ground because God has taken their last breath from them. Wow! That was striking to me.
As for my Elihu. I prayed and talked about it for a few years that I wanted just one woman that I could share my true self with, without fear of being rejected or judged. And I wanted it to be someone besides my mom.;-) I wanted someone I could share the deepest parts of God with also. Not only did God bring me one... He brought me 3!! They are so precious and dear to me. I don't know where I'd be without them!
Meant to post this yesterday...
Please pray for my non-Christian husband, Chris. He was never brought up in a Christian home and I really want the best for him. He really needs Jesus in his life, and I have been praying and trying to be a good example for a long time now. Please Pray.
Will post my daily notes later tonight.
Hi Wendy and friends,
Today's reading was really interesting, wasn't it? I really had to get over the urge to be angry with our new character, Elihu (what a character he is, too). The message this morning really spoke to me about testing the spirits. I need to make sure the spirit that's speaking is the Holy Spirit...not Satan or my flesh.
In response to your question today...My Elihu is a friend that I work with. Each day, we eat lunch together in her office. At least once a week, our lunch conversation is devoted to our accountability to each other. We answer 3 questions. 1) What do you see in my life that encourages you? 2) What do you see in my life that you'd like to caution me about? 3) What else would you like to tell me?
I attended a wonderful conference "Fresh Grounded Faith" that taught us this wonderful accountability dialogue. Today, I am thankful to have a friend that is honest and loves me enough to say it like it is. Yet, I still test the spirits...
Love you dear bloggy friends,
Nancy
Wow! Elihu steps in and really makes me think! I absolutely loved todays reading!!!
I love how Elihu addresses Job and his friends. Up until this point he has kept quiet and when he does respond he does it in a way that I wish I had the patience to:
-he listened
-he was slow to speak
-he spoke without partiality
One question I do have lies in Chapter 32 verse 8 “But there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent.” The first time I read over this I immediately thought that he was referring to the Holy Spirit, however, after a while it dawned on me that this was before the birth ,death and resurrection of our Savior and so how can that be since the Holy Spirit was not yet sent? I would love to hear any insight anybody has into this…..
One of my many nuggets today is Chapter 33 vs 4 “For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life” When I read this an overwhelming peace came over me. I never took notice to this verse before- it really paints a beautiful picture.
Please know I am praying for everybody’s prayer requests…..whether it be for husbands and family members or those trying to fight off an illness.
Blessings to you all!
Julie
Good morning all, I have had a rough week and not reading my Bible until night and your comments and watching the vlog. This morning I got to work about 20 min til 7. Read the Word and watched the vlog by 7:10. Hopefully my day will be better. I too did not know about Elihu and I have read Job many times but do not remember him at all. What a way he has with words! Oh that we could be that fluent and get our message across without being rude as I am sometimes - it just comes out! My Elihu is named Melinda. She was my daughter's 4th grade teacher and we became friends during that year-our children became best friends and still are. I had never thought of keeping each other in check but what a great idea! We always talk with each other about problems and how to solve them and pray for each other. Now I look forward to our friendship growing even more in the Lord!
"Be still and know that I am God" is a verse that I need to say every day so that I will take time to be still not just read my Bible and pray and then go about my tasks. We need to wait on the Lord and let Him renew our strength. How much better things would be for us. I thank God for each of you and your insight into the Word. Isn't it crazy how we all read the same scripture but God is using it in a different way for all of us. What an awesome God we serve!!
Good Morning, Bloggy Friends (I like that, Nancy!)
Updated list:
Brian – Meredith
Chris – Brittany
Chris - Elizabeth
Dave -Amy
Dave –Lori
Jeff - Morgen
Jim –Jan TN
John – Brandee TN
GP - Grace & Peace
Howard -Judi
Junior –Liza TX
Ken - Karen OR
Olivia & Kristin, (for Christian -future husband’s)
Michael - anonymous
Ron – Betty
Milton –Loice
Sean – Cathy NJ
Steve –Stacey TX
“unsaved” (Jodi)
Vinny - Mary
Everyday I thank my Father for Mary Lou, my dear friend. We met each other when our youngest boy's were in 2nd grade at an, Open House. We both have 2 teenagers now that happen to be in the same age, and have shared our lives together over the past 8 years. We did not know it then, (it did not take long to find it out,) that we attended the same church. She invited me to go with her to my first Bible Study (a Beth Moore one) that was held at our church. Since that time we have taken a class together every fall and spring. Anytime I need advice or prayer, she is one best friend, that I know I can count on to ALWAYS turn me back to God's Truth. I love, love her and thank God for her everyday.
Hugs & prayer's coming your way,
Lori
I am so full of joy this morning! Prayers answered: My whole family slept thru the night including me. I am also getting my quite time this morning that I haven't had in 5 days.
Lori - thank you for your list of those who husbands need to be lifted up in prayer. Please see my blog from yesterday regarding my husband - please add his name.
I did enjoy today's reading and video. There were so many nuggets and like Karen I found it hard to focus on just one.
Familiar but new:
I can relate to how Elihu feels in Job 32:18-19 For I am full of pent up words and the spirit urges me on. I am like a cask of wine without a vent - like a new wineskin ready to burst." Need to remember to listen and wait on God to give me the right words to speak.
Something new:
I love the depiction of the Spirit.
"There is the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent." "For the Spirit of God has made me and the breath of the Almighty gives me life."
I have the Spirit of God in me who guides me and gives me life. Let me listen to His whisper!
Nugget:
Let God be in control of all situations. He knows everything. "No darkness is thick enough to hide the wicked from his eyes." Find comfort, joy, and rest that He will work all things for His glory! Praise God!
Thank you for all your prayers -
Expecting freezing rain/snow here in Oklahoma. All schools cancelled for today and I am sure tomorrow! Thankfully we have a generator just in case.
I have several Elihu's - Jane and Marci - and a new one named Denise!
Meredith
A dear friend named Lynnae was my 'Elihu'. She has since move to NM. I am praying for another one or 'ones' to appear. Accountability partners -- more precious than gold.
Mandy, IN
Morning all!
I did not know that a fourth friend was with Job.He was so blessed he had those friends, yet he seemed to discount them. How often I wonder do I do that?
Nugget for me was 33:23-24 - a special messenger to intercede for a person (the Holy Spirit does for us) and has found a ransom to keep us from eternal death (Jesus is our ransom).
My to do is 33:33 is to listen, be silent, and learn.
May God be with you all today.
Praying for my own Elihu,
Gaylene
Good morning, all ~
Jeanne fr NC, I read what you wrote about your mom last night. (((HUGS))) to you. My mom, who was also a great prayer warrior, passed away 5 yeas ago so I know what you're going through. Maybe our moms have now met in heaven. :)
Karen - I must have missed those names you mentioned. I can't find them in Ch 33.
Yes, finally no more Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar (I hope)! My bible is glowing highlighter yellow. Elihu gave a lot of nuggets today.
What impressed me most about him was in 32:3 "...Elihu had waited..." and remained quiet. Yet when it was necessary to speak, he did not hesitate to do so. (Lesson: I have trouble waiting, and if I do wait, the problem is remaining quiet and sometimes I am too afraid to speak up when I should.)
Since most have mentioned the other verses, I am going to choose 33:19-22 re God's discipline with pain in their sickbeds. Quoting 2 great men: C.S. Lewis "The Lord whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience but shouts to us in our pain." Pain is God's megaphone. Matthew Henry said "God often afflicts the body for the good of the soul." Amen. There is a purpose for suffering. We don't suffer "just because." If we ask God, He will tell us and looking back we can see. When my mom passed away, it was very difficult for our family. But her death brought me closer to God. It led me to my present church and eventhough I miss her a lot, I am thankful for that experience.
Also on 33:23-26 Elihu without knowing it is talking about our Jesus!
My Elihu is my women's group. I love each and everyone of them. I talked about them here: http://tinyurl.com/My-Elihus
Have a blessed day, everyone! Praying for this study and those involved in it every morning.
Blessings of the day this Thursday ~ Friday Eve!
My heart landed in about the same spot as yours today, Wendy, as far as the familiar but new.
My notes say "when we are fogged in, God sends us Elihu's. Lord help me hear and see when Elihu is talking to me or showing me something!"
We were taught to respect our elders, but as an elder, I know and appreciate the voice of wisdom and discernment which is brought to me by the young! Also like you, Wendy, I have friends who are young enough to be my children. I loved how you put it ~ that you are still young enough to be their friend though old enough to be their parent. That really resonated within me. Such a gift to begin my day!
My had not noticed before was the power of Job 34:3-4. "...the ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods" Sometimes we don't like what we hear just as sometimes we don't like what we taste. Again, a great verse to dig deeper. Psalm 34:8-9 comes to mind in doing so!
My To Do's from these chapters in Job:
*from Job 34:31-36 ~ I pray to the Lord to guide my mouth that it might not be said of me that I deserve the maximum penalty for the wicked way I have talked.
*rather,let it be so with me from Job 33:27-28
Liz will declare to her friends
she sinned and twisted the truth
but it was not worth it
God rescued her from the grave
and now her life is filled with light.
Amen!
My Elihu?
All of you...right here, every morning, every day. From Wendy's teachings through all of your commments God speaks to me and teaches me.
Enjoy a fruit-full day,
Liz
Alaska
Julie - I noticed the verse that referred to the Holy Spirit too. We do find mention of it in other places in the Old Testament - Moses; Joshua; Daniel all having the Spirit of God. We know the Trinity was there at creation - and the Spirit was an important part of the Old Testament - after the New Testament Pentacost the Spirit is available to all believers.
I had written in my Bible margin from last year: "Job is not suffering because of sinning - but he is sinning in his suffering."
I liked Elihu coming on the scene. I wonder if he was a prophet from God? I think so.
My Elihu is my coworker Dawn. We are both in love with God and we discuss Him and His word any chance we can get...
Thanks for hubby prayers! I'm sending them up too - gotta rattle heaven ladies!
BBBRRRR in MN
Morgen
Good Morning fellow bloggers, vloggers, and God-followers!!!
My "familiar but heard in a new way" was Job 33:14-19 - the ways God speaks to us. Thank you Wendy for pointing out many more ways - music, oh yes, music..and our friends and the preachers we hear...God is indeed speaking!
My "didn't know" was Elihu (Ellie-who?) himself - I didn't know he was in on the conversation with Job and his friends.
I had a few take aways - I loved the truths about God that Elihu pointed out, but in Job 34:11 he says that God repays us according to our deeds and treats people as they deserve. I am so eternally grateful that God does NOT treat me as I deserve. Psalm 103:10 says He has not punished us for all our sins, nor does He deal with us as we deserve. Praise God for His mercy.
My other take away was in 33:23-28. Elihu talks about the special messenger from heaven to intercede for a person, to declare that he is upright. And God will be gracious and say, "Set him free. Do not make him die, for I have found a ransom for his life." ...and he will declare to his friends, "I sinned but it wasn't worth it. God rescued me from the grave and now my life is filled with light." Isn't this "special messenger" a foreshadowing of our Jesus? And, as a result of His intercession for me, I am declared to be righteous. And I can say - oh Lord, I have sinned and it wasn't worth it. I am rescued from the grave and NOW my life is so very filled with Your light. Thank You dear Lord.
Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him!!!
~Val
Good Morning!
I was wondering if anyone else was unable to see the video this morning- All I see is a white box when I bring up the website?? Has this happened to anyone before? Thanks for any advice!!
Elizabeth
For those of you that can't see the video...like me...if you will go to
http://www.princessjoyful.blogspot.com/ you can read the transcriptions that Joy has so faithfully done. Some days she is so busy that it is evening before she can get it done. But it doesn't matter to me, I just appreciate that she is taking the time to do it for us.
Today's is already up, though.
For those of you that can't see the video...like me...if you will go to
http://www.princessjoyful.blogspot.com/ you can read the transcriptions that Joy has so faithfully done. Some days she is so busy that it is evening before she can get it done. But it doesn't matter to me, I just appreciate that she is taking the time to do it for us.
Today's is already up, though.
I have just recently jumped in and I am so loving this study. I have always had a hard time with reading the old testament. A few years ago God opened my eyes to the Song of Solomon and WOW did I ever fall in love. I was swooning and I've never been the same since. So I started praying again that God would open my eyes, heart and mind to the rest of the old testament and this bible study is such an answer to prayer. I think I was trying to make it hard by reading in the KJV - which is ok for some, but for me I need to have it all laid out for me and simple. Thank you so much Wendy!
So now about the study.
I loved yesterdays lesson where Job was listing all the ways he was sinless. I felt such compassion for him and could really relate, but I thought it was good that he was examining himself in all these areas. Well, after today I took a total flip. How I sometimes justify my sinfulness and don't open myself up for the real truth.
I have a Elihu (Ellie Hoo ? lol), in my life. Judy has been my friend for forever. I have to say tho that I had to think about this since she sometimes can get on my last nerve. I then take what she has said and get with Jesus about it. He loves me into realizing what she said should be considered. Thank God for the Elihu's in our life.
Sorry to be so long - I'm just excited.
*joan*
Hi Ladies
Thanks for continuing to speak life to one another on daily basis. Its awesome to blog Gods words together. i am telling all my 40+ ladies, come on we blog together and become young again in the Lord.
I love Elihus words like most of us above BUT i am still sad that it has all boiled down to;
JOB YOU HAVE SINNEDM CONFESS IT AND GOD WILL RESTORE YOU!!!
Like job has done with his 3 other friends, i would struggle with this.
looking in hidesight we know Job is being accused wrongly for having sinned. Problems in life are not always as a result of sin but sometimes and lots of times we reap what we sow.
Job 34:
7 “Tell me, has there ever been a man like Job, with his thirst for irreverent talk?
8 He chooses evil people as companions. He spends his time with wicked men.
9 He has even said, ‘Why waste time trying to please God?’
11 He repays people according to their deeds.
He treats people as they deserve.
I imagine Job sitted there now listening to Elihu tell him this??
Oh Lord Not again.... i hear him speak
Thank God Job was not receiving what he deserved.
I thank God today that today all of us Christ has paid penalty for our sins today and forever and therefore we will not receive what we desearve which is Death. Thank You Jesus for Dying on the cross for someone as wicked as Loice. Thank you Lord.
Good day all lovely ladies.
Loice, Melbourne
Afternoon Everyone,
I just really enjoyed today's reading. 33:14 was one I had marked even from last year that spoke to me. How many times does God speak and I don't listen or take notice? That is my take home today that I would have ears to hear and eyes to see when He is speaking and working. I don't want to miss anything He is saying or doing in my life and in the lives of those around me.
I have several really good friends I would call best friends, but my Elihu would be my friend Becca. Her and I met four years ago when I joined our local MOPS group and our kids became best of friends. Their friendship led to our friendship and she is such a blessing to me. She is one I know I can call to pray with, to share anything in my life with and she always points me back to God and I try to be the same to her. I love her to pieces :)
I posted yesterday that if anyone wanted copies of my list of scriptures I made to pray for unsaved spouses or loved ones just to email me. I mailed out several this morning. If you would like that list and have not emailed me please do so at ezekiel2230.prayerwarrior@gmail.com and I would be happy to get that to you. I was doing laundry today and the Lord placed on my heart to start back up my prayer blog "Stand in the Gap" for our group. When I started the blog I did it to post daily prayers. If you all would be interested in my doing that again please let me know. We can focus on salvation and praying for our husbands. I mentioned a wonderful book called "Pray Big for Your Marriage" that if we get this started up I think I will start posting from. It is just fabulous and I have been praying some out of it everyday. We are all going to be able to celebrate together as these men are saved! I have not been able to post on the blog a whole lot yet this year with all that has been going on here at home with birthdays and things, but things should be settling down and if you ladies are interested I don't mind posting prayers at all. I will share that I do struggle with depression off and on and the past few weeks I had gotten in a bad place, a slump where I was having trouble doing anything. It is something that comes on me when I get overwhelmed and stressed. God is helping out of it and I am seeking Him more all throughout the day to help me keep things in perspective.
Hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the day! It is awesome to be on this journey with all of you :)
Love,
Brandee, TN
Wendy,
I never thought of Ellihu as a carpet-calling friend! :-) Thanks!
Nancy, I was supposed to head off to a Fresh-Grounded Faith conference tomorrow with a group of friends - it had actually grown to be 30 of us! but this snowstorm that is headed our Southern way is causing problems. They're going to exchange our tickets for one in April. I look forward to learning about these accountability methods!
1. I knew that the book of Job was full of wisdom about suffering, but I didn't know it also demonstrated how to be a good friend. I'm really learning a lot from this aspect of the book.
3. Job 6-7a "Look, you and I both belong to God. I, too, was formed from clay. So you don't need to be afraid of me." I love how Elihu reassures Job that he has his best interests at heart and isn't out to get him. He's showing him that they're the same and that he wants to help. Despite all the frustrations and discomforts that these men have experienced in the past two weeks, even bursting at the seams to talk finally, he takes the time to comfort his friend. :-)
3. Job 33:14 "For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it." He really does, doesn't He? I need to be listening all the time!
I've got 3 Elihus of varying degrees. They'll ask me tough questions and vice versa, and I know that I can talk to them about anything. It's so nice to know that there are people out there, rooting and praying for you, who will always tell you the truth!
Hoping that the coming storm brings lots of snow and minimal amounts of ice ...
Amy
My Elihu is my good friend, Janet. Though she no longer lives nearby, our friendship is a forever one.
I can count on Janet not to sugarcoat or agree with me all the time. She challenges me and helps me to see clearly. All of this she does in love.
Janet is a blessing in my life!
I am blessed to have three close friends who are very honest and straight forward with me. The sad thing is that they live several hours away from me. One of these friends is my Spiritual mom. I've known her since 1982 but it's only been since April of last year that God turned our friendship into a mother and daughter relationship and I'm blessed by that. She has said that she tends to want to solve my problems with me, rather than just listen and sympathize with me. She thinks it's that mother in her. I'd like to share something she said in an email the other day and for some reason it makes me think of Job and his friends.
"It's frustrating because i think that the way to solve your problems, [with the solid and broad foundation of Christ, of course] is that you would have relationships there at church, in the community and in your family to mentor and support you; walk with you as you step out of this crisis time. But as yet, there aren't those relationships, and you are still hurting so badly".
Thanks for your teaching, Wendy.
Brandee - I would be interested in participating in your blog. If you decide to do it again, please tell me when and how to get there, participate, whatever. I think it sounds great to have community prayer for these wonderful men!
Morgen
Good evening, Ladies. Had work at 5 am, so I did the reading last night, but wasn't compelled to journal on it then. I am glad for this fresh and honest voice from Elihu.
The verse that really struck a chord with me was one Wendy pointed out, 33:29 that "God does these things for people AGAIN and AGAIN". That he rescues us and pulls us out of darkness AGAIN and AGAIN. So thankful for that grace.
I am developing my "Elihu" relationships within my church groups. The leader and a few friends in my community group keep me accountable, and now I have a new group of about 9 girls/ladies in my redemption group that most certainly give it to me straight, but with compassion. Very thankful for all of them. And of course, ALL OF YOU!!!
Love from the Pacific Northwest (sending warm thoughts to all you guys who have cold/snowy days coming) :)
Brandee, I forgot - I would be interested in your bloggy prayer site, too. I visited it yesterday and thought it was just awesome. :-)
Hi everyone,
thanks so much for all the insights today. My Elihu friends are Margaret and Leslie. We have been through a lot together and the wonderful thing is we point each other to Jesus when we are struggling. I am very blessed having them as friends.
Blessings, Debbie
Wendy, I have really enjoyed your vlogs on Job. Reading it this go around has been different and I've actually been able to understand it better.
My Elihu is my BFF since we were 12, Kristen. The Lord has really blessed our relationship over the years. We have not always lived close, but now we do and I am serving with her in her ministry. A 30-year friendship that has been woven together by God's love and grace.
Stay warm this weekend.
I like what you said, Wendy, for your "something to do".
"Stay close enough to hear God whisper to me. Thank God for those in my life who care enough about my walk with the Lord to talk straight to me."
So true! And lines up with some of my own thoughts of late. Thanks for sharing.
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