Elihu - Humility about Wisdom

In Job 33, Elihu starts his speech against Job. Some people say because his name means, “He is my God” and that God does not rebuke him that he is actually speaking for God or represents God. Yet later, God ignores him saying neither good or bad about him when He rebukes Job's friends and commends Job. So how do I understand whether he really speaks for God or not?

I’ll look at his words to decide. He burned with anger because Job’s three friends could not get Job to admit his wrong or convict him of sin. In Job 32:6, 10 and 17, he doesn't attribute his wisdom to God but his own opinion.

He thinks way too much of himself! He says he doesn't know how to flatter (Job 32:22). Then in Job 33:33 he says he will teach wisdom. So, the friends couldn't teach wisdom and Job doesn't have it, but he can teach wisdom? Wow! He goes on for a long time, but I don't see anything that the friends or Job haven't already said.

It is easy to become angry when someone is unable to prove another wrong, especially on theological or moral issues. I've seen it up close. It is easy to think I have wisdom better than anyone else.

Lord, help me live out, “I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment” (Rom 12:3).

When Evil Prevails

1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! 2 For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. (Ps 37:1-2)

7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! 8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. 9 For the evildoers shall be cut off,

but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. (Ps 37:7-9)

 With the way things are going in the US but even more so with Ukraine and Gaza, evil is evident. It is all kinds of evil, not just politics, and I'm pretty sure it isn't just media bias. So, these verses are what I must remember every day. Wait for the Lord. The Lord is forever, eternal, and His justice will prevail.

The ones causing evil are temporary. A president lasts four to eight years; it is but a blink in God's eyes. I think about all the evil kings in Judah and Israel, some lasting 50 years or so. How did people hang on that long?

Those who know the Lord are waiting for an eternal city and endless peace and righteousness. I need to remember this while evil seems unstoppable.

Evangelism 101

 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:6

Paul wrote this a few years after preaching on Mars Hill in Athens. There he used a rather apologetic style to try to convince the intellectual elite. Here, I believe, is what he learned from that experience and wisdom given over the ensuing years.

Evangelism that is effective must include the word of the cross because it is the power of God (1 Cor 1:18). People won't be won by debate because that isn't how God has chosen to save people (1 Cor 1:20-21) or by signs alone (1 Cor 2:4).

God chooses those He wants from all walks of life and it isn't up to them to choose. Otherwise, they could boast about their wisdom to choose (1 Cor 1:29). The only thing we can boast about is that God chose us and that isn't true boasting. It is admitting that we wouldn't believe unless he chooses us (1 Cor 1:26-31).

So don't worry about getting all the theology right but present the basics of the gospel. Let the Holy Spirit work then their salvation is in God's power and not in our persuasion (1 Cor 2:5).

There will be plenty of time to expand on deep theological principles after a person is saved. It will be over their heads if they aren’t saved.

Help me Lord, speak the gospel of the cross to unbelievers.

Art and Worship

Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke in pieces the pillars and cut down the Asherim and broke down the high places and the altars throughout all Judah and Benjamin, and in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. 2 Chronicles 31:1

In 2 Chronicles 31:1, the people went through the cities and country to break the altars to other gods and cut the Asherim and tear down the high places. How would we view that today? We would probably say that it was horrible that we were destroying art and history. We would be appalled. Think about trying to destroy totem poles in the Pacific Northwest or disturbing sacred grounds in Hawaii. The public outcry would be great.

But some of the reformers tried the very same thing with icons, statues, and breaking stained-glass windows. Luther had to stop them. Why? Wasn't this the pattern or principle established in the Old Testament? Other reformers prevented musical instruments from being used in church; some still do that today. I think this boils down to 3 categories.

1.    Public – we are not a Christian nation with rules that govern objects of worship as did Israel. So, we don't have the right to break down public idols, we can protest if they are immoral such as some of art exhibits have been.

2.    Churches – since the only places this would happen now is if a church suddenly believed their stained-glass windows were idolatry. They would have to see that it was leading to idolatry and if so, yes, they should destroy them.

3.    Personally – in our homes this is where each of us have all the authority to destroy art if it becomes or is an idol. Some art such as Tiki Idols from Hawaii maybe considered art, but why have one in your home?

While all three have their place in history #3 is what I must consider for my life regardless of what the world or church is doing. Lord, help me to always put you first and have no idols before me.