Am I Enough – Things Can Always Get Worse

Greetings Dear Reader,

We do not realize until this moment that there is a fourth man.  For us he has been in the shadows but for Job a younger man, Elihu has been sitting there listening to both sides of the argument.  He has listened but not heard.

The fact that his first interjection is an attempt to justify his anger and disrespect seems to hinder his validity.  This entire first part of his statement is intended to support his forthcoming judgment of Job.

I think we should consider some of the reasoning that Elihu puts forth before we examine his words.  Taken in the context I think we will discover some very interesting things about Elihu, Job, and God.

First I must wonder why someone so convinced that he is right becomes so angry.  As we have seen there is no evidence that Job has done wrong.  There is no sign that points toward a hidden sin.  Elihu like Job’s other friends has assumed that because of the circumstances that Job is guilty of wrong doing.  His anger is unjustified in light of the lack of evidence.

Elihu also seems to be justifying his disrespect by saying that he cannot contain himself because he knows he is right.  Once again the man proceeds from a false assumption.  He believes he is right and that Job is wrong.  He uses this as an excuse for judgment, anger, and disrespect.  All of this is contrary to the path of the righteous.

We need to consider all of this as we venture into Elihu’s discourse.  I need to consider the lessons learned from his opening.  I need to be sure that I do not judge without evidence.  I need to make certain that even if I feel anger that I do not express it inappropriately.  I need to always show respect to others no matter how wrong I feel they may be in the position held.

If I do not live out the love and kindness of Christ to those I feel are in error how can I ever hope to be heard?  I need to check my own judgments.  I need to examine my own heart and mind before I accuse anyone.  Even if I am certain that another has done wrong I need to speak to him or her with love and respect.  After all I am trying to restore a soul not win a war.    

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store."

Job 32:1-22 

These three men stopped answering Job because Job thought he was righteous. 

(2)  Then Elihu, son of Barachel, a descendant of Buz from the family of Ram, became very angry with Job because Job thought he was more righteous than God.  (3)  Elihu was also very angry with Job's three friends because they had found no answer. They made it look as if God were wrong.  (4)  Elihu waited as they spoke to Job because they were older than he was.  (5)  When Elihu saw that the three men had no further responses, he became very angry. 

(6)  So Elihu, son of Barachel, the descendant of Buz, replied to Job, "I am young, and you are old. That's why I refrained from speaking and was afraid to tell you what I know.  (7)  I thought, 'Age should speak, and experience should teach wisdom.'  (8)  However, there is in humans a Spirit, the breath of the Almighty that gives them understanding.  (9)  People do not become wise merely because they live long. They don't understand what justice is merely because they're old.  (10)  "That is why I say, 'Listen to me! Let me tell you what I know.'  (11)  I waited for you to speak. I listened for you to share your understanding until you could find the right words.  (12)  I've paid close attention to you, but none of you refuted Job. None of you has an answer to what he says.  (13)  So don't say, 'We've found wisdom. Let God, not humans, defeat him.'  (14)  Job did not choose his words to refute me, so I won't answer him with your speeches. 

(15)  "Job's friends have been overwhelmed and don't have any more answers. They don't have another word to say.  (16)  Should I wait because they don't speak, because they stand there and don't have any more answers? 

(17)  "I'll give my answer. I'll tell you what I know.  (18)  I'm full of words. The Spirit within me forces me to speak.  (19)  My belly is like a bottle of wine that has not been opened, like new wineskins that are ready to burst.  (20)  I must speak to get relief. I must open my mouth and answer.  (21)  I won't be partial toward anyone or flatter anyone.  (22)  I don't know how to flatter. If I did, my maker would soon carry me away.