Skip to main content

Job 35:14-16 - Danger of dismissing another persons perspective Day 65

This was not in original postings although I had written it back on 11/4/20.  So it is out of sequence on this list.  Sorry.

Elihu concludes that Job opens his mouth in empty talk and multiplies his words without knowledge.  While it is true that Job does not know the "have you considered my servant Job" story, Elihu does not know it either.  For one creature to condemn another creature for lack of knowledge does seem to be harsh.  This is an "ad hominem" attack.  Elihu dismisses all Job has to say as "empty talk" because he lacks knowledge.  Does Elihu take time to understand Job's perspective?

In the same way, I cannot dismiss all that Elihu says because he is off base at this point.  I must hold fast the trustworthy word as taught, not my opinions based on man centered political or social thought.  

Instruction - what does God expect of me?  Discuss issues and ideas, not the person who holds a different position.  For example, there is a reason people think that abortion is a good solution.  Am I willing to actively listen so that I could state what they believe?  I don't have to agree or be persuaded, but at least may be challenged to listen to my position.

Thanksgiving - You are the only one who is omniscient.  Your truth is source of sound doctrine, not my human wisdom.

Confession - holding Elihu's position - that my opponent is without knowledge.  While the mind of unbeliever is blinded to the glory of the gospel, it is not my logic that will open his eyes.  I quench the Spirit when I try to assume His role in salvation.

Petition - listen and understand the voice that has had a different experience of the American experiment. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2 Chronicles 33:7-9 Thoughts on Davidic covenant - Day 362

Good morning faithful readers, The finish line is in sight!!!  One of the themes of scripture is that God is a covenant keeping God.  There are many between God and man. Adam, Noah, David are examples.  Covenants are more than promises.  They are made between a superior and inferior with conditions for each side and blessing and penalties based on keeping the conditions.  These are covenants of works which fallen man was unable to keep.  Thanks be to God that the Father made a covenant of grace with Christ, the second Adam, which he fully kept. Blessings, Jeff The promise in v8 was made to David when he had planned to build the temple and God promised to build him a house forever. (2 Sam 7:10).  Seems like there are only two possibilities about Manasseh's disobedience.  Either he knew of this covenant that God had made with his 13th great grandfather and chose to disregard it, or he didn't know of it and was unaware of the penalty.  Let's con...
Post a Comment
Read more

2 Chronicles 30:16-20 Hearts set to seek the Lord - Day 359

Good morning fellow members of the household of God, After writing the devotional, I am thinking about the Passover as a household event.  In ancient Israel, the physical household of man was covered by the blood of the lamb.  Now, it is the spiritual household of God that is covered by the blood of the Lamb. Blessings, Jeff The account of the greatest celebration of Passover since time of Solomon (v 26).   Observations: One of the things that made this one great is participation of some of the tribes from the northern kingdom.  Israel was a united kingdom and Solomon and now toward the end of the northern kingdom, there is at least a semblance of being united. God allows some exemptions: Who offers the sacrifice:  The original Passover was a family by family sacrifice of a lamb.  However in  Deuteronomy 16:5-6 this changed to a centralized location once they entered the promised land.  (You may not offer the Passover sacrifice within any of ...
Post a Comment
Read more

2 Chronicles 35:23-26 Lament for the last good king - Day 364

Good morning fellow exiles and pilgrims, One more day of devotions.  We are indeed exiles and pilgrims in this world as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.  The 20th anniversary of 9/11 attacks can serve as a reminder that this world is not our home. Blessings, Jeff The lamentations for Josiah written by Jeremiah.  However, the book of Lamentations does not include any reference to Josiah as they are focused on the fall of Jerusalem.  While these lost lamentations were "made the rule" there are only 4 more kings and none of them were good like Josiah and none died in Jerusalem.  The phrase "to this day" generally refers to the time of the author (post exile).  Taken together, it may be that these laments were for the last good king and during the exile the people were longing for the next good king. Zerubbabel in a way was the next good king as temple and Jerusalem were rebuilt. But Jesus truly was the next king and He...
Post a Comment
Read more