One of Job’s “friends” Elihu, said, “Hear what I’m saying, you wise men. Listen to me, you who have learned so much…JOB DOESN’T KNOW WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT. The things he has said don’t make any sense.’ I WISH JOB WOULD BE PUT TO THE HARDEST TEST!” (Job 34:1-2, 35-36) Job just lost everything he possessed, Including his children. Then he suffered severe pain with boils over his entire body, so indeed Job was already put to the HARDEST TEST.
THERE ARE TWO PROBLEMS WITH WHAT ELIHU SAID:
- DO NOT PUT ONE ANOTHER DOWN: “My brothers and sisters, DON’T SPEAK AGAINST ONE ANOTHER. Anyone who speaks against another believer speaks against the law. And anyone who judges another believer judges the law. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it. Instead, you are acting as if you were its judge.” (James 4:11)
- DON’T SPEAK EVIL TOWARD SOMEONE: “DON’T LET ANY EVIL TALK COME OUT OF YOUR MOUTHS. Say only what will help to BUILD OTHERS UP and meet their needs. Then what you say will help those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29)
God had something to say about this, “He spoke to Eliphaz, “I am angry with you and your two friends. You have NOT SAID WHAT IS TRUE ABOUT ME, AS MY SERVANT JOB HAS. “So now get seven bulls and seven rams. Go to my servant Job. Then sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you. And I WILL ACCEPT HIS PRAYER. I will NOT PUNISH YOU FOR SAYING THE FOOLISH THINGS YOU SAID. You have not said what is true about me, AS MY SERVANT JOB HAS.” (Job 42:7-8)
WE MUST ALWAYS BE SURE TO SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE!
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham