Today’s passage: Job 34
Helpful thoughts:
- Elihu believes Job should at least ask the Lord for insight into what he could have done wrong as opposed to altogether defending his innocence. The idea being, if Job at least had a heart to be humble and learn from his mistakes, God could teach him and he could move forward.
- The argument of this chapter:
- Job is guilty and being judged by God,
- Since Job refuses to acknowledge his guilt then he is also calling God wicked.
- In calling God wicked, Job is adding to his own sin.
- Verse 8 sounds much like what we read in Psalm 1. God Himself knew and declared Job had not been a man who walked with the wicked (Job 1:8).
Questions to consider:
- How does Elihu verbalize his conclusion concerning the innocence of Job, or the lack thereof (Verses 7-9)? How did Elihu’s decision (His judgment) necessitate the rest of his response and attempt at speaking with wisdom?
- Why is it so important to keep the first chapters of Job in mind as we continue to read? How could this book get confusing if you forget the context? Is Elihu right? Wrong? Why?
- What has Elihu said about God that is accurate and true? How could we discern that as we read through his arguments? Through what other information do we interpret tough passage in the Bible (Acts 17:11)?