Day 15, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today's Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Job 35–37
Arrogant Presumptions
Note: This Bible study is also available in audio format
Many of us may be familiar with Gaston, the handsome, arrogant character in Disney’s animated tale, Beauty and the Beast. To be “arrogant” is defined by Webster’s New World Dictionary as being full of “unwarranted pride and self-importance, overbearing, and haughty.” This not only describes Gaston; it also represents many people in our real world. Arrogant people will not listen to anyone—they are so right! They will not even listen to God. The Biblical patriarch Job was accused of this behavior.
Has anyone accused us of being arrogant when we defend our righteous actions? Or, have any of us presumed people are guilty when they proclaim their innocence? What should we do or not do?
Job lived in the days of Abraham and was a righteous man (more...). He was pious, an excellent father, a good businessman, and a good-hearted, generous man. Job helped the poor and widows, and anyone in need. Pleasing the LORD and avoiding any evil was an integral part of his life(see January 13 Bible study). Then Job experiences terrible calamity, losing his family, business, respect, and his health. His friends accused him of sin, but Job proclaims his innocence and believes God has wronged him.
In today’s Bible reading, Elihu speaks up again, defending God. Elihu is the youngest member of the group. Out of respect, he waited until Job’s friends had finished their arguments. Then, in veiled pride, he says he has a better answer. What is Elihu’s response to Job’s accusations against God?
Job, you are wicked and arrogant!
He [God] does not answer when men cry out because of the arrogance of the wicked. Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea; the Almighty pays no attention to it (Job 35:12-13, NIV).
If they obey and serve him [God], they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge (Job 36:11-12, NIV).
But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction. He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have taken hold of you (Job 36:15-17, NIV).
This young man’s argument is that God is afflicting Job to draw him back into a good relationship with him. Job is, therefore, suffering because he is laden with God’s judgment upon the wicked. Job must turn to the LORD from his sins so he might receive the good things which are laid on God’s table.
God is transcendent
Elihu tells Job it is wrong to challenge the Almighty. He rightly expresses how the LORD is above and beyond us.
God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, “You have done wrong?” Remember to extol his work, which men have praised in song (Job 36:22 –24, NIV).
How great is God— beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out (Job 36:26, NIV).
In other words, Elihu says to Job, in your arrogance, you are challenging the eternal God. Shouldn’t you be praising him instead of accusing him?
Elihu, like Job’s friends, is right in what he says but wrong in his application. Job is speaking from his miserable pain and discomfort. It is wrong for Job to challenge God, but in this case, what he said about his integrity is otherwise accurate.
As a storm approaches, Elihu uses it to illustrate God’s might and Job’s weakness. He wants him to observe the powers of nature, which God directs, and to fear the Almighty One.
Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God's wonders. Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash? Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge? You who swelter in your clothes when the land lies hushed under the south wind, can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze?” (Job 37:14- 18, NIV).
Once again, Elihu's point is that God is transcendent in might and understanding.
The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress. Therefore, men revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart? (Job 37:23-24, NIV).
In this, Elihu hints that Job is not wise in his heart for accusing God, for the Almighty is above and beyond all in wisdom and understanding; therefore, he does not afflict the righteous.
Job, in his intense and unexplainable sufferings, has become defensive. His speeches are bold and arrogant, but this is not what brought troubles upon him. Neither did wickedness bring trouble upon him.
Why do innocent or righteous people suffer?
We may not know God’s will for a particular person or situation. However, there are some things we do know, generally speaking. Suffering happens because,
In truth, as was said before, we do not always know what God’s purposes are for people or situations (Romans 11:33-36).
- there is wickedness in the world (James 1:15; Romans 5:12; 8:20-22; John 16:33)
- God may be judging someone for sin, as Job’s three friends and Elihu testify (Romans 6:23; Isaiah 13:11)
- the LORD is making us into better Christians (James 1:2-4), conforming us into his image (Romans 8:28-29)
- all our suffering works to the glory of God (Ephesians 1:11; Romans 11:36).
If we don’t understand it, it’s wrong to guess and fill some troubled person’s head with nonsense.
Who is arrogant except the person who speaks, assuming he knows the situation entirely? Nevertheless, what this young man said about God is right—he is above and beyond all in might and comprehension. This understanding provides a prelude to the final scene in which God speaks. We will see this in our next Bible study.
Discussion
What does Elihu accuse Job of in this Bible study? Is it okay to blame someone for something when they are suffering? Why or why not?
What does it mean that God is transcendent?
Why do the innocent or righteous suffer?
1. Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language, 2nd College Edition, © 1980, p.77
2. “laden” and “laid” are plays on words. This is a similar thought to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb, discussed in Revelation 19. There are two suppers there: One for the wedding supper and one for God’s wrath. Which one do we wish to be at?
Focus Verse
Job 37:23-24, NIV “The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress. Therefore, men revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?”
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Looking Ahead: In our Next Lesson God speaks and gives Job his day in court. Have we ever wished for our Day in Court? What might that be like? Join us!
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