708. JOB 33:12, JOB 33:13. ELIHU’S ADDRESS TO JOB. [NO. XI.]
Job_33:12, Job_33:13. Elihu’s Address to Job. [No. XI.]
"Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man," &c.’97Job_33:12, Job_33:13.
You have all read of the afflictions of Job. How deep, complicated, continued. How property was destroyed. How of his children he was bereaved. How of health he was deprived; and last, how of hypocrisy he was both suspected and even charged.
His three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, entirely mistook his case; and hence, instead of pouring healing balm into his wounded heart, they only aggravated his sufferings by unkind and bitter speeches.
At length, another person is introduced to as. A young man, but of extraordinary wisdom and knowledge. This was Elihu. He did not unite with the three others in bitter charges of hypocrisy; but still endeavored to show Job, that he had not displayed sufficient humility of spirit, nor a becoming reverence towards God.
Our text contains a portion of his address to Job. He refers to what Job had improperly said about himself; Job_33:9; and still more so against God; Job_33:10-11; and then follows the words of the text, "Behold in this," &c.
Observe,
I. That even saints may entertain unjust views of God.
II. That God’s greatness should silence our objections to his proceedings.
And,
III. That it is foolish and vain to strive against him.
I. That even saints may entertain unjust views of God.
Now this may arise as in Job’s case,
1. From too high a view of ourselves. Job had said, "I am clean," &c., Job_33:9. Now Job, in defending himself against his three friends, had said more in his own favor than he ought. Had reasoned, perhaps, as one who was perfectly holy. The conduct of God must be different to perfectly holy and to imperfect beings; and if we do not judge of God thus, we shall infer falsely. God never disciplines absolutely holy beings; it is unnecessary. But he does this with his own children; for their spiritual improvement, &c.
We entertain unjust views of God,
2. When we suppose that he is anxious to observe our failings.
Job_33:10.
Now in this Job erred greatly. God, so far from this, is gracious, forbearing, longsuffering, &c. See Psa_103:8-9, Psa_103:10; Psa_130:3, Psa_130:4. This is the very opposite view of God, and is really the true and just one. Satan may look for the halting of good men; and bad men may do it; but God never does so.
We entertain unjust views of God,
3. When we conclude that God treateth us as enemies.
If God did so, he would at once consume us. We should not have probation lengthened out, &c. No: God treats us as erring children. Hear what he said of backsliding Israel, &c. Hos_11:7, &c.; chap. Hos_14:4.
Just as the father felt for the prodigal, and hailed him with joy’97so God with his people. God never treats his people with wrath, as enemies; but with pity, as erring children, &c.
Observe,
II. That God’s greatness should silence our objections to his proceedings.
"God is greater," &c.
1. He is so in his dominion.
God’s dominion includes all things’97all creatures’97all worlds; he has to govern all and to arrange for all. We are but fragments, as it were, and therefore cannot judge God accurately, not being able to survey the whole. "And he giveth not account," &c.; Job_33:13.
2. In his knowledge and wisdom.
"We know next to nothing," &c. God thus speaks to Job at the end of the controversy. Chapter xxxviii., &c.
What would a child do in judging of the astronomer, in his mathematical calculations?’97of the man of science, in his wonderful achievements?’97of the learned man, in his profound studies? Yet there is infinitely more resemblance in the faculties of the child and the philosopher, than in the highest creature and God. If the child could not be just in its conclusions, how can we?
3. God is greater than man in power and resources.
There is a definite limit to the power of man. His resources are circumscribed, &c. But not so with God. Job knew what God had done. He knew his losses, his griefs, &c. All beyond man’s power to repair. So far as man was concerned, utterly irreparable. Not so with God, &c. He can do every thing right and fit to be done.
See the end of Job’s history. How God turned his captivity, &c.; and restored his mercies and blessings, &c.
Notice, then,
III. That it must be foolish and vain to strive against God.
"Why dost thou strive," &c.
1. It is foolish.
He knows what is best’97we do not. He sees all from the beginning, and to the end’97we do not. How extremely absurd, then, to oppose we know not what. The wheel, we think, is moving in the wrong direction, but it is a wheel within a wheel, and if causes others to go rightly, &c.
But to strive is not only foolish,
2. But it must be vain.
For man cannot effectually resist him. If you dislike God’s plans, &c., how will you frustrate them?
Think of the moth and the tempest!
Think of the insect and the lightning! &c. What can man do against God? See Isa_45:9; Amo_9:1 to Amo_9:6.
Learn,
1. To cultivate lowly views of yourselves.
2. Cherish august views of God,’97his greatness and majesty, &c.
3. Rely on his goodness and grace. He is man’s true and best friend, &c.
4. Be resigned to his providential arrangements. They are always wise and kind, &c. Submission is alike our duty and privilege.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS