January 28th

Job 32:1-34:37

A young man named Elihu gave Job a piece of his mind. When he saw that Job’s three older, and, supposedly, wiser friends had found no answer for Job’s suffering, Elihu decided it was time to speak. “His anger burned against Job’s three friends...; Elihu waited to speak to Job because they were years older than he” (32:3, 4).

Although Elihu’s approach was straightforward and refreshing, his words were not very
helpful. However, Elihu did share some important characteristics of God. For example, He described God’s holiness, when he said, “Everyone knows that God doesn’t sin. The Almighty can do no wrong. There is no truer statement than this” (34:10, 12).

Elihu described the necessity of God’s existence, when he said, “If God were to take back His spirit and withdraw His breath, all life would cease and humanity would turn again to dust” (34:14, 15). Next, he described God’s omniscience and sovereignty, “God carefully watches the way people live; He sees everything they do. No darkness is thick enough to hide the wicked from His eyes” (34:21, 22).

Perhaps the most interesting thing Elihu said today was that “sometimes the elderly are not wise, and sometimes the aged do not understand justice” (32:9). It is true that neither wisdom nor spiritual maturity comes with age. Someone who is older may still do foolish things or think in foolish ways, while someone younger may have wisdom beyond their years. The truth is that wisdom is not a given because of time on earth, but rather it is a gift of God.

Elihu said, “Surely it is God’s Spirit within that makes men intelligent” (32:8). As Solomon discovered when he was young, that in his own strength he was weak, and in his own wisdom he was foolish; but God granted Him wisdom through His Spirit. So it was with Daniel, to whom God gave knowledge and wisdom (Daniel 1:17). It is God who makes men wise.

Daily Reflection

In what areas of your life do need wisdom? Where do most people look for wisdom today? Why will these sources ultimately fail you?

“If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach” (James 1:5).

“God gives wisdom to men. Out of His mouth (Word) come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).

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