Job 32-35 Electric Fences Built By God

A new guy comes onto the scene – Elihu.  He doesn’t agree with the old theology of the other friends of Job.  Suffering isn’t always a response to sin.  “He wasn’t trying to prove that Job was a sinner, but that Job’s view of God was wrong,” my commentary said.  “Elihu introduced a new truth into the debate:  that God sends suffering, not necessarily to punish us for our sins, but to keep us from sinning and to make us better persons…. God sometimes uses pain to warn us, humble us, and bring us to the place of submission.”  I loved another insight I read in my commentary:  “This man was suffering because God wants to get his attention and prevent him from breaking God’s law.”

 

Job had thrown down the gauntlet and was demanding an audience with God.  But God is sovereign and His creatures cannot demand things of their Creator.  Job doesn’t know what to do at this point, and he’s having trouble recognizing those spiritual electric fences that God has erected around him.

 

Father, I’m the first to admit that I’m prone to shoot myself in the foot.  I know what not to do, and I know Your love for me exceeds my own love for myself.  But sometimes, like a dumb animal, I need Your “herding” to keep me away from the edge of the cliff.  Let me never get to the point where I hate Your correction!

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford