Father I pray in the Name of Jesus, that the readers will learn the truth and be set free from the bondage of sin in the flesh, Psalms 68:8. In Jesus' Name I thank you Father.
Look at Job from another angle: if God allowed the devil to do all that he did, what does that say about God handing us over to His enemy? It's no wonder people have such a negative view of God, because that's all they see. What of the Jews, God's chosen, handed over to Hitler? Why bother to pray or worship Him? See the slippery slope? When healings don't come "Oh, I guess it's just God's will... my oh my, whatever am I to do?" See? Essentially they're saying "I'm more compassionate than God who doesn't wish to help." Read through this long post and you will be free!
From Genesis 2 to Revelation 22, there are causes and effects for sin.
Read what Elihu said. His name and introduction mean:
Elihu = He is my God
Barachel = God blesses
Buzite = contempt
Ram = high, exalted
Job = hated, persecuted
This is exactly what Elihu preached, that God is perfect, loving, kind, sinless. Elihu said God blesses, not contempt, and that Job in self-righteousness called himself persecuted.
Elihu quoted Job who said this:
Job 33:8-11 (KJV)
... I am clean without transgression, I [am] innocent; neither [is there] iniquity in me. Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy, He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
Job blamed God by proclaiming his innocence. Self-righteousness, like us all. Elihu said to Job:
Job 33:12 (KJV)
Behold, [in] this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
Elihu says this is what God does for man:
Job 33:14-18 (KJV)
For God speaketh once, yea twice, [yet man] perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, That he may withdraw man [from his] purpose, and hide pride from man. He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
God's trying to prevent us from doing our own errors in sin. God tries to stop us by giving us instructions and when we don't listen, speaks to us in our dreams. God tries to talk to us in our ears and eyes through His word, but when we don't listen He still keeps trying by speaking in our dreams.
Elihu continues:
Job 33:27-28 (KJV)
He looketh upon men, and [if any] say, I have sinned, and perverted [that which was] right, and it profited me not; He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
If because of this instruction men repent, then God will save them.
Job 33:29-30 (KJV)
Lo, all these [things] worketh God oftentimes with man, To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
This is how God works. All the evils that befall men are because of sin, James 1:14-15.
Elihu continues to quote Job:
Job 34:5-6 (KJV)
For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment. Should I lie against my right? my wound [is] incurable without transgression.
Where have you heard this before? "But I have rights!" o_O
Here's that slippery slope I mentioned:
Job 34:9 (KJV)
For [Job] hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
Elihu speaks the truth:
Job 34:10-11 (KJV)
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. For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to [his] ways.
All men reap what they sow, Galatians 6:7-8! Elihu continues:
Job 34:12 (KJV)
Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
Job 34:26-28 (KJV)
He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others; 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.
The wicked are undone by God by their own sins. Elihu said to Job:
Job 34:35-37 (KJV)
Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words [were] without wisdom. 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.
Elihu continues:
Job 35:2-3 (KJV)
Thinkest thou this to be right, [that] thou saidst, My righteousness [is] more than God's? For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? [and], What profit shall I have, [if I be cleansed] from my sin?
Isn't that what people say when they say "Oh it must be God's will I suffer!" Pride and self-righteousness. (I speak of myself!)
I love this part Elihu said:
Job 35:13 (KJV)
Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.
The word
vanity is literally
empty words, lies! In other words, false accusations against God for the evil that befall us. Don't we all do the exact same thing as Job?
Job 35:16 (KJV)
Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.
I can quote almost all of chapter 36, but Elihu goes on to say what I've been saying, God sets boundaries and when we stray from them then we suffer for it. In all disobedience we suffer. In all bad things, ALL BAD THINGS, sin is the cause. It could be ours, our parents, our great-grand parents or our neighbors, Exodus 20:5; Numbers 14:18; Deuteronomy 5:9. Why do you think doctors take family history and where we live and what we consume?! When evil befalls me, I seek out what is its cause. Read these very important verses on this subject:
Job 36:12-14 (KJV)
But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge. But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them. They die in youth, and their life [is] among the unclean.
If we do not repent and obey then we can die without knowing why. So why is it the scriptures say "by His stripes we are healed" and yet we're still sick? Elihu answers:
Job 36:18 (KJV)
Because [there is] wrath, [beware] lest he take thee away with [his] stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.
Jesus is our ransom, but it cannot fix the bitterness within us through anger without repentance! Elihu continues and expresses that through the awesomeness of God we are to have reverential fear of Him, not for evil like Zeus with a lightning bolt, but because of His great and mighty works and love for us, Psalms 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10; Proverbs 15:33.
That last verse in proverbs speaks about humility comes before honor is given. AKA Repentance! The Lord gave Elihu such wisdom that today, all these thousands of years later, whole sciences exist because of what he said: meteorology, oceanography, agriculture, criminal investigations, yet in this very important statement of God's righteousness, we Christians still blame God for our woes.
Still think I'm wrong in this thinking?
Read what even James says this very thing:
James 1:16-17 (KJV)
Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
God has given us wiggle room. Think of it like this: we're driving down the road of life and all we have to do is remain within the yellow and white lines (
roads in the States). If we go too far to the right, off into the ditch we could go. If we go too far to the left, we COULD hit oncoming traffic. But if we stay within the boundaries set by God, then we are blessed.
In humility and reverence we have a Redeemer Who has promised us deliverance. Is God a liar? Learn the truth and be free, John 8:32.
