However,
a young lad had the wisdom to answer both Job’s three friends and Job. Let us
learn from the words of young Elihu, noticing
an eternal truth that he stated in his reply from Job 32:6-12: “So Elihu, the
son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said: “I am young in years, and you
are very old; therefore I was afraid, and dared not declare my opinion to you.
I said, ‘Age should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’ But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of
the Almighty gives him understanding. Great men are not always wise, nor do the aged always understand
justice. “Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me, I also will declare my opinion.’
Indeed I waited for your words, I listened to your reasonings, while you
searched out what to say, I paid close attention to you; and surely not one of
you convinced Job, or answered his words.” Notice especially what Elihu said in verse
8: ‘there is a spirit in man, and the
breath of the almighty gives him understanding’.
Physical
longevity does not make one wise in regard to salvation (2 Timothy 3:15). Such wisdom only comes from the breath of the
Almighty. The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians
2:9-14, “…but as it is written, things which eye saw not, and ear
heard not, and which entered
not into the heart of man,
whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him. But
unto us God revealed them through
the Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For
who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is
in him? Even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God. But we
received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God;
that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God. Which things
also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit
teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual words. Now the natural man
receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto
him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.”
Elihu
was wiser than those older in physical age because he had spiritual discernment. The
scriptures will make one wise (knowledgeable) about why suffering exists, for
they explain that suffering is a result of our sins against God. Jesus was
purposed to die for our sins, and teach us how to live a life apart from sin.
So, in His teaching, He explained how to be transformed from living
self-ISH-ly, to living self-LESS-ly.
Elihu
understood this and therefore understood why Job suffered. Suffering is the
means by which a merciful God, rather than punish us as we deserve, sends us a
‘light affliction’ (2 Corinthians 4:17).
This is out of His desire to bring us to repentance (Romans 2:4). By giving us a choice to take HIS yoke, we will
inherit the eternal rewards like Moses did in suffering “affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin
for a season” (Hebrews 11:25).
Exercising
our faith in obedience is how we ‘witness’ to others. Obedience is the true
evidence of saving faith. Obedience is the ‘work’ whereby faith is said to
‘justify’. Abraham is set forth as an example in James 2:20-24. The spiritual benefits of enduring suffering is seen
from James 1:2-3. Suffering, when
endured, declares our dependence upon God to deliver. The wisdom God gives
about suffering’s purpose enables us to endure because a greater reward than sin’s
pleasures is promised (Hebrews 11:26).
Suffering is God’s way of strengthening our faith in Him to the point of
obedience. In our obedience, we express our trust in God to fulfill His
promises. While we may not see the connection between the promise and the
command, a trusting faith does not question God’s love for us, nor God’s ways. All
this wisdom from God is in His word, the Bible.
Do you
understand why suffering is a part of human life? The scriptures provide the
answers. Allow this wisdom to rule in your life and you will live the life
described in James 3:17: “…pure; peaceable; gentle; easy to be intreated; full of mercy and good
fruits; without partiality; and without hypocrisy.”
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