The Just Judge

When we analyze a situation, our judgments are often partly right and partly wrong. In this passage Elihu gets at least one thing exactly right – God is just and loves justice. But that truth is what creates the tension in the Book of Job, since Job believes God has denied him justice (vs 5-6). Elihu insists that God cannot do evil or anything that is unjust (vs 10-12). Even more significantly, Elihu argues that God is the one who brings about justice (v 17), yet Job is accusing this God of doing wrong.

Truth Misapplied

Elihu asks Job to think about his behaviour, good and bad. How does it affect God? Elihu asserts that God doesn’t benefit at all if we are righteous, nor does he suffer at all if we sin. He argues that we never put God in our debt by doing good things, and neither do we harm him when we do wicked things.

Arrogance and Humility

Elihu provides excellent reminders that God is greater than we can imagine (v 26): he never needs counsellors or teachers (v 23) and he is the supreme ruler over the natural world (vs 27-33). God is greater than our finite minds can comprehend. He – the only being like this in the universe – never needs any instruction from anyone. God’s wisdom is unfathomable.

Simply Awesome

Have you ever felt overwhelmed with awe during an encounter with the natural world? God’s creation is designed to reveal God to us (compare Psalm 19; Romans 1), so it is not surprising that it can produce in us feelings of awe. Whether it is breathtaking scenery, observing animal life, seeing the night sky full of stars, or watching the sheer power of a mighty storm, nature has the God-given ability to make us aware of how small we are in comparison with the universe.

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The Lord Answers

Job has suffered without knowing that Satan has been afflicting him. His friends have accused him of being wicked and have told him repeatedly that he is only receiving the punishment he deserves. In fact, they are more than happy to point out to him that he is actually suffering far less than he deserves.

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An Involved God

In the second half of Chapter 38 God continues to question Job. In mercy God is helping Job see how little he understands about the created order. It is important to see that none of these questions is directly addressing Job’s complaint. None of them is touching on either Job’s suffering or God’s justice.

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God the Provider

Job 39 continues God’s discourse. The Lord continues to ask Job question after question, revealing how little Job understands about the world around him. Although the compassionate point of these questions is only seen in the next chapter, what God says here is still very meaningful.

Higher Justice

Today many atheists use Job as an example of Christianity’s supposedly irrational defence of the existence of God in the face of suffering and evil.“Look,” they say, “Job has suffered excruciating loss and pain, and all God can do is point out that he sends snow and he was able to make some animals!”

Lord Over Evil

Only now does the Lord begin to weave together the loose strands in this book. Of the absolute highest significance is the fact that God controls “Leviathan” (v. 1). Although English translations differ, the word symbolically refers to a great demon/god/power.[1] This being cannot be controlled by humans; it is too powerful to be subdued by the human race.

Submitting to God

Job has been making judgments with partial data and limited understanding. Here in the climax Job realizes he has spoken about things that simply transcend his ability to understand (v 3).

Even though Job is not given all the “answers” he does see the living God, which is more than enough for him.

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