I still can’t figure out Elihu. Some of the things he says are really good, particularly when he gets into God’s glory in creation (36:27-33). However, a lot of his words are also off the mark.
Elihu’s pride comes through in 36:4, Be assured that my words are not false; one perfect in knowledge is with you. Whoa. That kind of self-confidence (or self-delusion) can get you in trouble.
Elihu’s misunderstanding of affliction also comes out in 36:8-9, But if men are bound in chains, held fast by cords of affliction, He tells them what they have done–that they have sinned arrogantlly. Elihu assumes that Job’s great affliction must somehow be rooted in arrogant sin. In this regard, he is not much different than Job’s friends. They are all convinced that this whole ordeal in Job’s life is the result of latent or blatant sin in his life. The opening chapters of Job, however, make it clear that the ordeal has more to do with Job’s righteous character than any kind of sinful arrogance.
But the words that stood out to me this morning are in 36:15-16 and 36:21. I think Elihu hits the nail on the head with these words:
But those who suffer He delivers in their suffering; He speaks to them in their affliction. He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction…. Beware of turning to evil, which you seem to prefer to affliction.
Probably the biggest challenge we will ever face in life is responding well to affliction. All of us have to face it at times in our lives. Some more than others. Some in different ways. Affliction comes in all kinds of packages–physical illness, chronic pain, emotional doldrums, depression, relational conflict, abandonment, abuse, grief, rejection, financial losses, spiritual dryness, etc. Whatever package it comes in, affliction is never welcome and it shakes us to our core. Our tendency is to run, to escape, to withdraw, or to somehow alleviate or numb the pain. But in these times, Elihu reminds us of several things:
1. God is speaking. There is a message to be heard. Affliction often reveals the idols of our heart, the things that we are holding onto for our happiness, our satisfaction. C.S. Lewis said that God whispers to us in our pleasures and shouts to us in our pain. His point was that pain opens up our ears. We hear more clearly. Why? Because we recognize that we are out of control and need help.
2. God is wooing. “Wooing” is such an interesting word. It is a relational word, a word of enticement. God is wooing us toward Himself, drawing us into deeper intimacy with Himself. Suffering gives us an opportunity to enter into deeper relationship with God, into a “spacious place free from restriction.” It gives us an opportunity to let go of some things and to cast ourselves more fully upon God.
3. Sin is calling. Affliction not only opens us up to God; it also opens us up to sin. Beware of turning to evil which you seem to prefer to affliction. Affliction always brings us to a crossroads, a crisis point, a decision. Are we going to draw closer to God, continuing to walk the rocky road despite its uncertain terrain? Or are we going to seek out relief and escape at all costs, taking whatever road looks good at the time? Affliction is not fun. It is not comfortable. It is not desirable. But it is always better than sin. Sometimes we have to choose to stay in the uncomfortable place in order to avoid going down the road of sin.
I think of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. Satan’s enticement was for Jesus to avoid the road of suffering, to take the quick way out. Turn the stones into bread, Jesus. Alleviate your hunger now. Jump down from the temple, Jesus. Gain a massive following now. Bow to me, Jesus. Claim your kingdom now. To avoid temptation, Jesus actually had to choose to stay on the road of affliction. It is the hardest decision a person will ever have to make.
Lord, I do not like going through low times. I do not like feeling distant from You. I do not like conflict or pain. But help me to hear Your voice during these times. Help me to let go of my idols. Help me to find the path to deeper intimacy with You. Keep me from choosing the easy way out and from choosing sin over affliction. In Jesus’ name and in His strength, Amen.