Day 13

You know, I had thought Elihu would be more comforting with the way he started his conversation in Chapter 32. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and I am pretty disappointed. I kind of sense a bit of pride, and it’s like, so much for being quiet all the while, Elihu!

He, however, says something that got me thinking in chapter 35 vs 8. My interpretation of that is that our sins actually affect our fellow humans and us more than it affects God! That is so true. Recall our reading from Genesis a couple of days ago, when Adam and Eve sinned, and they were the ones ashamed, guilty and hiding? Exactly how we also feel when we sin? Sins won’t benefit us and those around us; likewise, avoiding sin is for our good.

In the opening of Chapter 36, Elihu says there is more to be said on God’s behalf. He says he is perfect in knowledge in vs 3, and he would ascribe justice to God (Voltron defender of the Universe!) 🙂 At this point, I am like “who sent you Elihu?” and wondering if God is asking the same. Again, Elihu threads a similar pattern we had seen with Job’s other 3 friends, they simply don’t know what is going on.

We should be cautious when we say God sent us to others, or we generally speak on his behalf. Given my background, with parents who led in the church, I have seen phrases like ‘God said you are my spouse’ lead many wrong marriages. People also assume that there won’t be challenges once ‘God says’. Speaking on God’s behalf, Job’s friends did insinuate that once you are righteous, you won’t go through challenges and, by extension, the wicked should, which is why they kept condemning Job. But that’s not true. Everyone goes through challenges in life and that is why there are seasons. God promises to be with us through it all, and everything (including the highs, lows, good, bad, mistakes) work together for our good..innit?

While Elihu was not as comforting as he should have been, he reminds me of God’s greatness in today’s reading.