Day 32 – Chapter 33

“Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I heard the sound of your words: ‘I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent and there is no guilt in me. Behold, He invents pretexts against me; he counts me as his enemy. He puts me in the stocks; He watches all my paths.’ Behold, let me tell you, you are not right in this, for God is greater than man” (33:8-12).

I don’t know where Elihu came from but he is a real test of my restraint. It was not enough to impugn the integrity of Job’s ‘friends’ and accuse them of lacking good sense, now he claims to speak for God. I cannot begin to tell you the issues today’s text highlights for me, but let me attempt to keep my composure and address just a couple of them.

First of all, it frustrates me to no end when people set themselves up to speak for God. It happens far too frequently among God’s people and especially in Church. Whether one claims to be prophesying or just making a comment it is a slippery slope to be on if attempting to speak for God. It would not be so bad if they would stick to scripture or at the very least address something that remotely resembles what a person has heard from God, but more often than not such is not the case.

Second, it troubles me that anyone would claim to have the mind of God as if they alone have heard from God on a certain subject. We must be very careful that we do not claim exclusivity when reporting how we have heard from God. God does not speak to us alone, that’s why it is so exciting to me when I hear the same Word coming from women and men of God who do not know one another and have never heard from one another. It is clear then that they are hearing from God.

Third, and I know this is becoming repetitive; it sets me on fire when anyone will challenge another without having all the necessary information. Elihu has no idea what has happened to Job or why. He knows nothing about the meetings that took place in Heaven. He knows nothing about Job’s life, what he has or has not done. It sort of reminds of how jealous people can be, and you may never know until something happens that affords them the opportunity to draw false conclusions.

I want to sound the alarm today. Do not be so quick to interpret another’s situation without first gathering all the facts. Be very careful that you do not set yourself up to speak for God or to be the only one to whom God speaks clearly. There, I’ve vented enough, now go glorify God in your living.

Lord, You know how some of Your people really get on my nerves. I imagine I am guilty of doing the same from time to time. Forgive me for projecting a ‘greater than Thou’ attitude, and assist me in maintaining my composure when confronted with people who do. Let me hear clearly from You, but keep me from using it as a weapon against Your people, in Jesus’ name. Amen.