No Answers

August 25

Job 32-33

Psalm 96:7-13

Proverbs 21:7-8

2 Corinthians 13

No Answers

“Then these three men ceased answering Job because he was righteous in his own eyes.  But the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram burned; against Job his anger burned because he was proving himself righteous before God.  And his anger burned against his three friends because they had found no answer and yet had condemned Job.  Now Elihu had waited with his words for Job because they were older than he.  Then Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, so his anger burned.”  Job 32:1-5  LSB

Elihu was introduced into the story of Job in chapter 32.  He was a younger man who had been listening to what had taken place between Job and his friends.  He was very angry at Job because he was justifying his actions and defending himself against the accusations of his friends.  He was angry at Job’s friends because they had found no answer for why everything had happened to Job, but they were still declaring that he was in the wrong.  Elihu spoke with passion and rage and his speech filled six chapters.  Many commentators view him as being prideful, verbose and full of hot air.  However, Elihu did lift the conversation about suffering to a level higher than the older men did.  He did not have the mind of God on the matter, but he did speak about the need for humility and patience when tested by life’s trials.  “The Almighty—we cannot find him; He is exalted in power and He will not afflict justice and abundant righteousness.  Therefore men fear Him; He does not regard any who are wise of heart.”  Job 37:23-24 LSB

Elihu was angry that the older guys who are supposed to have the answers didn’t.  It’s a natural reaction to be upset when you go to someone for answers and they don’t understand it any better than you do.  Often the reason is because God is the only One who understands.  Sometimes there aren’t answers.  Sometimes bad things just happen because we live in a fallen world.  And at other times, there is an explanation but we are not in a position to understand it.  We don’t know what is happening in the heavenly realm and we don’t know what is going to happen in the future.  Thankfully, God does.  Sometimes we just have to trust that God will do what is best and leave it in His hands.   That is a hard lesson but it is important for us to remember  whether we are the one needing help or the one providing counsel.  We don’t have all the answers and we are not going to this side of heaven.  When we are in this situation, the best thing we can do is pray.  It is ok to pour out our heart like Job did, ask Him to help us trust Him more, and lean into His strength and comfort to see us through to the other side of the pain.