By this stage in the book of Job you may be getting weary of these seemingly endless and convoluted speeches. If you feel that way, imagine how Job would have been feeling. Actually, the book is meant to convey something about the futility of human explanations, so your weariness means you are getting the point. Fortunately, we have come to the last of the speeches from Job’s friends. Elihu again has some valid things to say albeit in a somewhat proud spirit (36:4). He emphasises God’s transcendence and power and the inability of the human mind to grasp God. One feels, however, that this is all still very theoretical. These men are discussing philosophy while Job is in the clutches of a far more concrete reality. People may theorise in a way that adequately describes the truth and yet remain entirely disconnected from the truths that they are talking about. These friends of Job are, ironically, speaking about reality as though from the outside looking in. Is this wisdom? It might sound like wisdom but it is the epitome of foolishness even if much truth is spoken in the process. To really know and understand truth we must live inside it and experience it. The most important things of life cannot be known from the outside. Many people stand outside the truth and demand that it be proven to them before they will step into it. This is tragically ironic because it is by stepping into the truth that we know it. Make sure the things of God are never just theoretical for you. Experience the truth, don’t just talk about it.
Ask God to strip away any falsehoods that are keeping you from experiencing his presence.
Read Job 36 and 37
