FRIENDSHIPS- LESSONS FROM THE BOOK OF JOB (2)

(Continued from previous post)

GOD’S TRUTH CAN COME FROM OTHER PEOPLE – ELIHU

In the 32^nd 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...