Read Job 36.
Claiming to speak on behalf of God, Elihu presented various
ways people may respond.
When God brings about, or allows, trouble to strike due to
sin, "he declares to them their work and their transgressions, that they
are behaving arrogantly" (v.9).
This is God's loving call to the very conscience of the afflicted to
turn from their sin and live for Him.
Isaiah 53:6 defines sin as "All we like sheep have gone astray; we
have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity
of us all." The essence of sin is
selfish pride that thinks we may live our lives in any way we choose apart from
our Creator.
1. Some people listen and repent of their sin. The result is that they serve God with their
lives. (v.11)
2. Some people do not listen and die never having learned
from their sin against God. (v.12)
3. Some people choose to be angry with God, rebelling
against Him, and suffer even greater consequences. (vv.13-14)
The basis of his message is that God is "perfect in
knowledge" (all-knowing) and "mighty" (all-powerful). Notice how intimate and personal God's
knowledge is of individual thoughts and actions. He intervenes at His will to correct or to
bless accordingly.
While those statements are true, personal distress is not
always the result of our sin. To
determine the difference we must listen to God's voice, examine ourselves, and
respond accordingly. God is at work
spiritually and unseen. People may not experience
or witness His responses here and now.
Many wrongs and rewards will be dealt with at the coming judgments after
this life.
The good news, as Isaiah reminds us, is that this is why
Messiah came and died on the cross.
"The LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Our ransom from sin has been paid in full. Accepting God’s offer of forgiveness by faith
in Jesus is the beginning of understanding true life.
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