In Job Chapter 33 Elihu tells us God does answer our questions, but in ways we are unaware. How convenient. In addition, God delivers us pain and suffering to help us see the light. Makes no sense, but remember, God works in mysterious ways. 🙂 Elihu begins by repeating a few of Job’s earlier statements, providing context for his ‘wisdom’. Elihu then says:
“Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong.” – Job 34:10
All of Job proves this statement wrong. We’ve seen God do evil over and over to Job. God killed Job’s children. Let’s assume Job did evil, although we have no evidence of that. That may be justification to punish Job, but to kill Job’s children? That’s an evil God in action.
“He repays a man for what he has done, He brings upon him what his conduct deserves.” – Job 34:11
The Bible describes, early in the Book of Job, Job as the “greatest man in the east.” The “greatest man in the east” deserved a dead family and painful sores? If that’s the case, I can’t even imagine what an “average man in the east” deserves.
“It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.” – Job 34:12
Killing children is the exact definition of doing wrong and perverting justice. Granted, Satan is the one who did the deed, but God gave Satan His blessing.
“Will you condemn the just and mighty One?” – Job 34:17
When the just and mighty One kills innocent children for the father’s deeds (again no evidence for these wrongful deeds), then yes, we have every right to condemn Him.
“There is no dark place, no deep shadow, where evildoers can hide.” – Job 34:22
Maybe, but the good-doers need a place to hide, as Job and his innocent children can attest.
“Suppose a man says to God, ‘I am guilty but I will offend no more.’” – Job 34:31
No one is saying a guilty man should go unpunished. Job, however, does not know what he did. Job has said that he will gladly suffer the punishment if he only knew what he did. Elihu ignores this in his response to Job.
Elihu’s argument in Chapter 34 is that of a perfect God doing no wrong. In Elihu’s eyes, God can do no wrong and therefore Job is the one at fault here. There are several counter-arguments to this, but to me, God killing innocent children is the counter-argument that destroys all. God cannot be good and/or just if He defends killing innocent children.
Coming Soon: Job – Chapter 35: Elihu Continues Speaking