Page 128 - Job

what I am going to say you do not have to fear because I am not going
to try to get on Job’s side and I am not going to try to get on your side. I
am going to say what I have from God. I will be partial to no man. I am
not afraid of anybody, and I am not trying to win anybody’s approval.
That is the kind of man he was.
Before I suggest the outline to summarize the content of his speeches, let
me show you how Elihu took a forward step. Now do not forget, this is
the message of the whole book. He took a forward step towards the full
answer. The full answer is God Himself. Elihu does not come up with
God Himself, but he points in that direction.
I believe the chief emphasis of each speaker so far has been this. I think it
is clear to say that Job, through this whole thing, was problem centered.
Now some people are problem centered in a surface way. I do not believe
Job was problem centered in a surface way. His river flowed a little
deeper than that. I think I would be problem centered in a surface way, but
Job was not. You don’t hear Job complaining about losing his house or
his children. Not one time does he mention the fact that he lost his gold or
he lost his job or his farm or even the companionship of his life partner.
He does not mention failing health, because his problem is deeper than
that.
If I’m sick for a day I have enough table conversation to carry me through
about a month, because I’m problem centered. My natural heart is always
about my kids, my job, my bills, the high prices I have to pay, my health,
and my taxes, etc., etc., etc.

Job saw a deeper problem than that, but he is still looking at the problem.
It is not more spiritual, but it sounds more spiritual. Why has God
afflicted me? What have I done? Why me? I am innocent. I do not deserve
this. It is not right that God should do it. Why doesn’t he come out as a
man and debate with me? If I have sinned, why doesn’t He bring it to the
surface so I can confess it? And so Job is centered on the problem.

Now on the other hand the three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar are
solution centered. They have their sites on the explanation. They are
going to clarify things for Job. Let us solve your problem for you. We
know what’s going on. We know all about God. We know everything He
is going to do. We know why He has afflicted you. You have sinned. You
are wicked. And now you are playing the hypocrite and you are trying to
hide it. (Ever have people like this in your life?)

I believe it is right to say that Elihu takes a forward step in this regard. He

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