What man is like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water, who travels in company with evildoers and walks with wicked men? For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should take delight in God.’
Job 34:7–9 (ESV)
Holy Father. My ways are not unknown to you and my path is prepared before me in your wisdom, mercy, and grace. Your steadfast loving kindness goes before me and abundant mercy follows me. You are the One who has created all things, and you are the One who sustains all things. There is nothing in all the universe that is outside your sovereign will. You uphold and sustain all things. The very atoms of creation would fly apart without your compassionate care. It is You alone that gives life and breath to all things. It is you alone that brings order from chaos.
Yet, in my life I am continually pushing back on these very truths. My mind determines that I know what is good and right all the time, when I am actually self-centered and self-righteous. My heart yearns to give and receive love, but taints this desire with only seeking my own self-interests in the process. My soul longs to be in fellowship and communion, yet it seeks to isolate and separate from everyone.
I often feel as though Elihu is speaking to me when he confronts Job by saying, “What man is like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water, who travels in company with evildoers and walks with wicked men? For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should take delight in God.’” Job 34:7–9 (ESV). His remark is a scathing indictment of the self-righteousness that is dominating Job’s heart. Where Psalm 1 declares what the blessed man looks like, Elihu declares to Job that he is quite the opposite.
The blessed man walks not in the counsel of the wicked, but Job is walking with the wicked.
The blessed man does not stand in the way of sinners, but job travels in the company of evildoers.
The blessed man does not sit in the seat of scoffers, but job drinks up scoffing like water.
The blessed man delights in the law of the Lord, but Job has said that it does not profit a man to take delight in God.
The words of Elihu strike true in my heart as well. I am so full of self-righteousness, vanity, and conceit. I regularly believe the lies of the world and want the world to revolve around me. I know the truths of God, yet they often elude me. I know the mercies of God, yet I often dismiss them.
This message from Elihu is not meant to beat Job down. Elihu is calling Job to remember Psalm 1 and the way of the righteous. This is the same message I need to prick my heart and call me to repentance and faith. I need this message to expose my own hypocrisy that resides within my heart.
Lord, change my heart. Give me the desires of my heart that I may honor and serve you with all my life in the strength of Christ. Humble me. Refresh me. Set my eyes upon Jesus to look full in his wonderful face. To worship and gaze at my beautiful Savior.