FRIENDSHIPS- LESSONS FROM THE BOOK OF JOB (2)
(Continued from previous post)
GOD’S TRUTH CAN COME FROM OTHER PEOPLE
– ELIHU
In the 32nd chapter of
the book of Job, another person was introduced, we do not know how long Elihu
had been with Job or at what point he joined the other three friends of Job,
but what we know is that he had listened to all of them speak and he had waited
before speaking to Job because he was much younger than them all and we don’t know
what relationship he had with Job. Elihu saw differently, he did not condemn and
criticize Job like the other friends did, but he encouraged Job to stop and
consider God’s wonders (Job 37:14), no wonder God spoke after Elihu had spoken!
Have you ever spoken to some people who will encourage and help you have a
change of perspective that will make you see God in the situation? Their words
just sets a different atmosphere and your ears open to hear what God is saying.
Everyone needs an Elihu! They might not be your friend, they might be younger
or older, it is important to recognize the Elihus in our lives. People who see
differently, people who will tell you the truth and God’s mind in whatever
situation you are going through, people who are not afraid to tell you, you are
wrong, regardless of age, status and class.
YOUR RESPONSE MATTERS
When Elihu came into the scene in
Job 32, the bible recorded that he was angry with Job and his three friends
because their responses were not right.
Most studies of the book of Job
tells a lot about Job’s righteousness and his faithfulness to God especially in
a difficult time, but this does not mean that Job’s response was right. Job was
justifying himself to his friends and to God and his friends also criticized
him. Elihu told Job to rather justify God instead of himself and when God spoke
in Chapter 38, God addressed Job’s questions with his greatness through the
works of His hands and power. God showed Himself to Job, Job 42vs5: “My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes
have seen you”.
FOCUS ON GOD
Either as a friend or someone
going through a difficult time, self-righteousness or justification, criticism
or condemnation is not the way to go, rather choose to elevate God above every
situation. When God finally spoke to Job, He didn’t start explaining to Job the
reason why such terrible things happened, God didn’t justify Job’s
righteousness and faithfulness, God only talked about HIMSELF and the works of
his hands to show that He is the great God. This got me thinking, that maybe
that is what God wants us to do in such down times and situations of life, that
we should focus on how great our God is and elevate Him for who He is. In
elevating God, you begin to see and hear what God wants you to do. God asked Job to pray for his friends and after obeying God’s
instruction and God restored his fortunes twice as much as he had before.
Yours in the walk...
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