Elihu Part 3 Job 34

Job 34:5 "For Job hath said, I am righteous: let us know among ourselves what is good." v9 "For he hath said, it profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself in God." chapter 9:22

Elihu has brought to their remembrance words spoken before. I think people think that they can say things and never stand in judgment for them. It will be a great surprise to hear those hateful words again.

Jesus said in Matthew 12:36 "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."

I think the central thought in this chapter is that men's deeds either hurt or benefit them and have no physical effect on God. God having compassion on the cry of the helpless is another matter. He does hear them.

v10 "Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity."

v11 "For the work of man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways."

It is important to be born again which is by the grace of God and not any deeds we have or could do. So far as our life is concerned, we are not to just rest in grace and ignore the needs around us. It is good to do good.

v27-28 "Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways; So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted."

What God seeks is for man to acknowledge his wrongs and not to accuse God of some misdeed because he is reaping the seeds he has sown.

v31 "Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend anymore; v32 "That which I see not teach thou me; if I have done iniquity, I will do no more."

Hebrews 12:6 "For whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth."

Our society has found it cruel to discipline children. They instead let children rule the home and call it love. The results bloom like wild flowers in our nation. Children have grown up without correction and guidance and now run wild with knives and guns. That is not love. It is more like hate or laziness to just let a child find their own way without guidelines in their life. Chastening is love in action.

Now, back to Job. He gets a strong rebuke in the last two verses of this chapter.

v36-37 "My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men. For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God."

So Job is being tried in the fire. It is not pleasant. There would be no point to the test if Job had nothing to learn. We are to that part now. I personally do not mind learning something but I (like most students) do not care for test.

Psalm 12:6 "The words of the LORD are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times."

Elihu points out Job's mistake.

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