Power of Truth - September 8 Readings: Job 33-34, 1 Corinthians 10:23–11:16, Psalm 105:9–15, Proverbs 22:13–14

Links to September 8 Readings: Job 33-34, 1 Corinthians 10:23–11:16, Psalm 105:9–15, Proverbs 22:13–14

The bulk of the book of Job is the interaction between Job and his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, who drive him to anger and bitterness with their simplistic and empty theology. They believe that no one could possibly suffer as Job did unless he was guilty of gross sin. Since these terrible things had happened to Job, they reasoned, he must have offended God and be in great need of repentance. This infuriated Job and led him to strike back, eventually coming to the place in which he accused God of injustice, of treating him badly. He was holding on to his faith like a man dangling over a pit of hungry crocodiles holds tightly to a rope, but his fingers were slipping.

Bad theology, cliches and broad, blustery platitudes do not help those who are hurting. Job needed more than that.

In stepped a young man named Elihu. We know nothing about him before or after this. Job's three friends sat with him before the conversation started. They continued in a relationship after the conversation ended, though they were soundly rebuked by God. Elihu appears neither before the discussion or after. He comes out of nowhere, speaks his mind, and vanishes in to the mist. Was he a bystander who just happened upon the conversation and decided to toss in his two cents? Was he a friend of Job and the others who just remained unnamed before and after? Was he a prophet sent by God? We will never know until we are in the presence of Christ when issues like that will seem unimportant to us.

But Elihu played an important role. It would be easy to deduce something false from the story of Job, were it not for Elihu's words. The weak theology of Job's friends did nothing to solve the situation, but only made things worse. We will see in later readings that the true healing for Job came when he had a direct encounter with God. His friends theology only made things worse. An encounter with the living God was what brought healing.

So, someone might conclude that when someone is hurting, theology, Bible study, preaching and the application of biblical truth is meaningless, pointless, even damaging.

If one concluded that, he would be wrong.

It was not theology that was the problem, it was bad theology, weak theology, pious platitudes and cliches masquerading as biblical truth. They never help.

"God will never give you more than you can handle."
"I guess God needed another angel in heaven, so he took..."
"If you have enough faith, you can turn this around." 

Even if there is a touch of truth in a cliche, it seldom helps the person in pain. And bad theology never heals, it harms. Our attempts to find something to say often backfire, adding to instead of alleviating the pain.

Good theology is the beginning of healing. Elihu interjected truth into a discussion that was becoming increasingly petty and personal. He called Job on his negative views of God. He did not offer the easy explanations the friends did, but he magnified God's justice and holiness. Part of the healing process was the application of divine truth.

As we read through chapters 33 and 34, and all of Elihu's speech, we see him expounding on God's justice, God's goodness, God's imminency and righteousness and justice and fairness. Job had begun to exalt himself and his grievances. The three friends were exalting their own silly ideas and holding on to them no matter what. But Elihu exalted the truth about God and his character.

That was the beginning of the process of healing.

Yes, the healing only came when God showed up, when God revealed himself directly to Job and Job realized this was a God he could trust. But the proclamation of truth by Elihu preceded that encounter.

When you are in distress, when you are hurt, when you are angry or discouraged, when life has you down, you need an encounter with the living God. Nothing else will do. But that encounter will happen when you get into God's Word, when you read and study the Bible, when you get wise biblical counsel and listen to messages that proclaim truth - these hasten the encounter with God that will begin to bring you healing.

Truth can be harsh and hard, but it is needed. Cliches and platitudes are the enemy of healing, but God's Word is the soil from which it springs.

Father, teach me your truth that I may find healing for my soul.