Job 34 to 37
The ear trieth words as the mouth tasteth meat.” These words of Elihu would be called a proverb; we are all quick to know if food is not good, but this young man was quick to know that some of the words he had just heard were not good, although spoken by Job and the other wise men, for they had not given God honor for care or mercy.
Sometimes you may hear persons with much knowledge speak more wrongly of the Lord than Job and his friends, because they do not feel their need of His care and mercy. So young people who have learned God’s love may be able to speak for His honor, if they are respectful as Elihu was. Elihu knew that God did not think more of the rich than of the poor:
“They all are the work of His hands.” Chapter 34:19. “His eyes are upon the ways of man, and He seeth all his goings.” Chapter 34: 19, 21.
“Behold God is mighty and despiseth not any. He is mighty in strength and wisdom.” Chapter 36:5.
Elihu showed Job that all who desired God’s help would have comfort, for He is the One “Who giveth songs in the night.” Chapter 35:10. That meant God gave joy in dark troubled times.
“Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven.” Chapter 35:11.
Job and the other men believed God’s great wonders in creating all. Elihu spoke most of the everyday wonders which we forget are from God.
‘He maketh small the drops of water they pour down rain according to the vapor thereof: He giveth meat (food) in abundance.” Chapter 36:27, 81.
Do we not forget the wonder of the great quantity and variety of food which grow for people and animals? The plants take from the soil the minerals and other substances our bodies need, so we have them in grains, vegetables and fruits, which is all by the wisdom of God.
“He saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth.” “Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.” Even the frost is from God. “He scattereth His bright cloud. It is turned round about by His counsels; that they may do whatsoever He commandeth.” Chapter 37:6, 9, 11.
So God sends the weather and storms “for correction, or for His land, or for mercy.” We learn from this that God has a right reason for all.
So Elihu said to Job, “Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.” Chapter 37:14. The word, consider, means to think carefully. Elihu asked Job if he knew what to say to One so mighty, of such majesty, power, judgment, and justice. This is the last we read of Elihu.
‘When He (God) giveth quietness who then can make trouble? and when He hideth His face, who then can behold Him? Whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only.” Job 34:29.
ML 06/02/1940