Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+034
CHAPTER 34 (ESV)
21 “For his eyes are on the ways of a man,
and he sees all his steps.
22 There is no gloom or deep darkness
where evildoers may hide themselves.
23 For God has no need to consider a man further,
that he should go before God in judgment.
24 He shatters the mighty without investigation
and sets others in their place.
25 Thus, knowing their works,
he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.
26 He strikes them for their wickedness
in a place for all to see,
27 because they turned aside from following him
and had no regard for any of his ways,
28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him,
and he heard the cry of the afflicted—
29 When he is quiet, who can condemn?
When he hides his face, who can behold him,
whether it be a nation or a man?—
30 that a godless man should not reign,
that he should not ensnare the people.
REFLECTION:
This chapter is Elihu’s second speech attempting to answer Job’s second confusion: Why is it me? Why find someone who is upright, fears God, and stays away from evil, as the subject of suffering? Although Elihu didn’t know what was going on in heaven, he knew by his own wisdom that Job’s suffering was a trial, but Elihu thought that Job’s performance was not good enough to pass the trial. Therefore, he advised Job to humble himself before God, and persist until the end; to cleanse himself of all the things that are not pleasing to God, so that the fire of trials could refine him. Although Elihu’s speech sounded reasonable, he had no pity. If God only judges people, there is no need to waste time on fallen people. As long as He is willing, all those who reject God in the world will perish immediately. But God did not do this, because He was not only a righteous and holy God, but also a God of mercy and love. He even gave up the life of His only begotten Son to redeem sinners. When we face the suffering of others, what we should do is not to rely on the so-called eloquence to analyze the reasons behind the suffering, even if such analysis sounds reasonable; but weep with those who weep with a kind heart, and try to comfort the suffering people with practical actions.
PRAYER:
God, You are a righteous and holy God, full of mercy and love. You gave up the life of Your Only Son, Jesus, to redeem sinners. Yet, I am a person lacking in love. When I see the suffering of others, I only know how to analyze the reasons behind their suffering with what I think is wisdom. I deceive myself into thinking I am very reasonable, but I lack compassion. Please grant me a heart of kindness and sympathy, so that I can weep with those who weep and do my best to comfort those who are suffering through practical actions.
HYMN:
As Long As You Are Glorified – m.youtube.com/watch?v=SZHfv2ivUrM
