Jan 13 (Daily reading: Job 35-37) Elihu’s speech continued for six uninterrupted chapters. How ironic that Elihu said about Job: “He multiplies words without knowledge” (35:16). To be fair, we have insight about Job that Elihu did not have. God had said about Job, “There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil” (1:8).
Despite Elihu’s prideful commentary, I will acknowledge that he expressed some insightful thoughts about God. He spoke of the omnipotence and omniscience of God: “Behold, God is mighty … He is mighty in strength of understanding” (36:5). “Behold, God is exalted in His power; who is a teacher like Him? Who has appointed Him His way, and who has said, ‘You have done wrong’? Remember that you are to exalt His work, of which people have sung” (36:22-24). In the light of God’s wisdom and power, we can only acknowledge His preeminence and praise Him.
I read Job 37:6 last week as I sat at my bay window and watched the snow fall: “God does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth.’” Elihu continued: “Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God … Those wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge” (37:14,16, NKJV). “Around God is awesome majesty … He is exalted in power” (37:22,24). Let us join the angels in heaven in proclaiming: “Amen, blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might belong to our God forever and ever. Amen” (Rev. 7:12).
-Al Gary
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