Elihu 's Concluding remarks

As I read today, I continued to think this guy has a lot of good wisdom! He is setting up well for God's response in the next chapter, as he "puts Job in his place" by reminding him of God's unfathomable power and his own limited understanding. Elihu's logic is tinged with "prosperity gospel" no doubt, but for the most part, he makes excellent points. I was particularly struck by verse 35:15 where he states "By means of their suffering, He rescues those who suffer. For he gets their attention through adversity". In stark contrast to the notion that people who suffer are getting what they deserve, stands this idea that God actually uses our suffering for His purposes; that "good" actually results from "bad". God rescues us from our spiritual apathy by placing us in desperate situations, for it is under such circumstances that we are most likely to seek His face. Though Job is sullen and angry with God, he is nonetheless having some "intense fellowship" with Him, which will ultimately be resolved in a deeper relationship and understanding. The fact that bad things happen to good people (as was the case for Job), is a stumbling block to faith for many people. But I think this short verse sums up the purpose of suffering perfectly. The existence of suffering does not negate the reality of a loving God. Sometimes the allowance of suffering is the most loving thing God can do.

For those who do not know my story, I have a young child with leukemia. He has been in treatment for over 4 years now and is in remission. The growth in my relationships with God and others as well as the unparalleled fruitfulness that accompanied this trial, are evidence to me that suffering truly does have a beautiful, refining quality to it. God intends that trials draw us close to Him. He intends for hard times to rescue us. Job, good man though he is, is being refined. I recently wrote down a great quote and cannot for the life of me remember the source. Here it is anyway... "It is only the gold that is worth putting into the fire. Anything else would be consumed."


Tomorrow's reading: Job 38-40:5