Reflections on Job 5:27 — Only God Can Speak for God

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“Lo, this we have searched out; it is true. Hear, and know it for your good.” — Job 5:27 (RSV)

These words, again, are from Job’s friend Eliphaz, continuing his speech begun in chapter 4. The antecedent of “it” is the overall point that, God is good, even when He seems bad to our humanly, ego-driven, sinful sensitivities.

All-in-all, nice job, Eliphaz! This is an excellent summary ending to what should be an uplifting speech.

Alas, as those who have peeked ahead to chapter 6 know well, Job is hardly uplifted by it.

How many times have I been there and done that?  On both sides of this equation.

I cannot say my circumstances have ever brought me even close to the depths of despair in which we see Job toiling in this book, but, at the time, I’m sure I would have said I was there. (Several times, in fact.)

And, I have had my share of Eliphaz moments as well, desperately trying to bring God’s cheer to desperate friends, by — amazingly! — leading them to the conclusion that they, in fact, deserve their pain.

Both sets of circumstances were, for me, conditions to which I pray I will never return.

Ironically, I am aware of my own self-righteous in my calling out Eliphaz for his self-righteousness in my post about Job, chapter 4.  So I’ll not belabor that point here.

Suffice it to say, the powerful, eternal — painful! — lesson of this entire book is this: only God is God. And only God can be God. And, ultimately, only God can speak for God.

We all either come to terms with that. Or we don’t.

Thanks be to God for all that is!

Note: Careful readers will note that this is the third of five posts in this “study” in which I have not met my self-imposed deadline. Simply put, I have put my “for pay” work as a priority over these posts, and, for that I am both regretful and self-conscious. Neither of those conditions make for a good relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, of course, so I will make no further comment upon this matter and, instead, set my sites toward a more reliable future in this area, Lord willing. I intend to make my most post in this series before noon on Friday, August 31. If God agrees with that schedule, the post will be forthcoming at that time. :)