Job 32-34

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He Justified Himself Rather than God

Then Elihu spoke. He did not condemn Job of secret sin like the others. But he did chastise Job for foolishly condemning God. “Think about what you are saying!” Elihu said. “If you wouldn’t tell a king, ‘You’re a scoundrel!’ or nobles, ‘You are wicked men!’ then you shouldn’t condemn the Just and Mighty One, who is neither partial toward princes nor favors the rich over the poor, since they all are the work of His hands” (Job 34:17-19 CJB). Elihu asked Job, if God is silent, who can accuse Him? But perhaps, Elihu contended, God was not silent. Perhaps He was speaking to Job through his trials and perhaps Job should ask God to teach him what he has failed to see. Perhaps God was using Job’s trials to expose something that was impossible for Job to see otherwise, to turn Job away from his action, to protect him from pride and to redeem his soul from going to the pit (Job 33:13-28). Pride is an attitude that has been the demise many – including the greatest of mankind and the greatest of angelic beings. Lucifer who became Satan (accuser of man and God) was one of God’s most beautiful creations. He was perfect – until iniquity (pride) was found in him (Ezekiel 28). Was God protecting Job from experiencing the same demise as Lucifer?  Job’s identity was wrapped up in Job’s wonderful life, Job’s great wisdom, Job’s charitable contributions and Job’s relationship with God. Job’s life was all about Job... thus, Job was undoubtedly susceptible to demise by pride. Dear Father, help me to examine my own heart. Help me to honestly analyze how much of my identity is wrapped up in myself and how much is wrapped up in You.  Please help me to humble myself so that I might die to selfishness and live to bring glory to Your great name. Let me never fall as Lucifer did and let me never foolishly condemn You as Job did, but let me lift You up and praise You, for You are good and Your mercy endures forever.