Articles
Truth amidst Error
Truth amidst Error
In my early studies of Job, I concluded (wrongly) that Job's three friends were mistaken - about everything! Such was not without some foundation for "God himself pronounces Job’s speeches to be “words without knowledge” (38:2). The Lord was angry with the sentiments expressed by Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar because they had not spoken what was right about him (42:7)"*
Yet, we find the NT quoting them concerning some aspects of God's character (compare Job 5:13 and 1Cor. 3:19). They DID understand and comprehend SOME things about God, but they also made wrong deductions and applications concerning both Job and God. While they seemingly acknowledged that Job was not a 'wicked' man, they yet affirmed that the things happening to Job were from the hand of God in response to some sin that Job was guilty of. They keep encouraging Job to 'confess'.
This difference between being a 'wicked man' and a man who was basically upright but occasionally would error, keeps coming up in my view. Job wasn't perfect yet the suffering seemed disproportionate to such errors. In actuality, THAT was the very situation that Satan desired of Job and God permitted. The real question then was whether Job would continue to serve, worship, and honor God. As Satan asked the question: "Does Job fear God for no reason?" (1:9).
Having said that, we should also go back and restudy some of the great concepts that these people had of God. I understand that the setting of this book is sometime early in the beginning, long before God revealed himself through Moses and that covenant. Though there is no written record of God revealing all of this, we do have a record here of what they understood about God. In many ways they had a greater understanding of the nature and character of God than most men today. While they were mistaken in explaining the reasons behind Job's suffering, they yet held forth great truths about God.
Truly, as Paul wrote many years later: "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse" (Romans 1:19–20).
I would challenge you to restudy Job and make a point of seeing what is rightfully affirmed of God. Not only must you take into account the great section where God himself speaks to these men but also the opening chapters that WE are privileged to know that was hidden unto them. God is forever worshiped in heaven. Even when life here is turned upside down, God yet is worshiped in heaven. Satan is the accuser of God's people, and often the accusations are false. Satan is NOT 'god', nor 'a god', but is himself under the authority and judgment of God. We may not understand how that relationship plays out in heaven, but we have been told that hell has been prepared for him and that he will suffer eternal torment and punishment for his arrogance against God (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10).
The advice of the angel that appeared unto John: Worship HIM! (Rev. 22:8-9). In good times, in bad times, worship Him. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, worship Him. When you cannot begin to understand what is going on with you, worship Him.
Hugh DeLong
