All of us enjoy reality shows. We like to watch other people struggling and failing instead of ourselves. Is that what had been happening with Job's three friends. Were they secretly glad that Job was the one that had fallen on hard times rather than themselves? The exception to the rule was the youngest one in the bunch, Elihu. He saw that this was not just a story about Job...it was a story about God.
"God is mighty, but does not despise men; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose....
"He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction,
to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. - Job 36: 5 & 16 NIV
You're on a slippery slope, Elihu tells Job. You cannot see the whole picture, and so you are choosing to argue with God.
Beware of turning to evil, which you seem to prefer to affliction.
"God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? - Job 21-22 NIV
You want to see a reality show, look at how God manifests himself in the world.
Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth.
After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice.
When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back.
God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. - Job 37: 2-5
The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.
Therefore, men revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart? - Job 37:23-24 NIV
And with that, no one can speak. They have been looking at the wrong thing all the time. It was not all about Job. It was all about the creator and owner of the universe. It was all about God.
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