LIGHT OF UNDERSTANDING (4)

“But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him UNDERSTANDING” – Job 32:8

Although the LIGHT of UNDERSTANDING flows from God’s Divine Breath, it is filtered through the human spirit: “But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him UNDERSTANDING” (Job 32:8). The Book of Job details the experiences of a materially prosperous saint, whom Satan beset with extreme adversity and loss (Job 1: 8-12). His three “friends” – Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar – who were much older, came to “comfort” him in his great distress. Chapters 3–31 contain their speculations as to why he was suffering, and his responses to each. Their consensus was that Job was a sinner and deserved his troubles. Their exchange deteriorated into a contest of name-calling and other insults. Of all those words spoken, nothing meaningful was actually accomplished. No light was shed concerning his plight!

Now, Elihu began to speak, taking the narrative in a whole new direction. He basically rebuked Job’s three miserable ‘comforters’ for all the things they had said or applied wrongly. While he lacked much insight into Job’s predicament, he displayed more wisdom than the others who regurgitated religious traditions, vain philosophies, and baseless assumptions. Elihu actually claimed to be speaking to Job on God’s behalf: “My words come from my upright heart; my lips utter pure knowledge. The Spirit of God has made me, and the BREATH of the Almighty gives me life…Truly I am as your spokesman before God…” (Job 33:3-6). Although spiritually immature, Elihu was willing to let God speak through him as a consolation and beacon of truth instead of berating Job like the three others had done.

Elihu counselled: “Job, you have a spirit, so listen to what God the Holy Spirit has to tell you! Here is how you can gain comprehension into your tragic experiences.” (Paraphrased). He spoke for the next six chapters. His thesis was that in order to have understanding, we need the Spirit of God to work in us. “God is a Spirit” (Jh.4:24a). And, He has given everyone the spiritual component to commune with Him: “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Gen.2:7). That spirit that God breathed into Adam – thus passing down to all men – is the means whereby we can connect with our Creator.

Elihu’s charge echoes Paul: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2Tim.3:16). All Scripture is God-breathed. His Breath quickens our spirit with Understanding. God opens our spirits’ eyes and minds by His indwelling Spirit, to understand His Word and be guided triumphantly through life’s labyrinths. We cannot walk through this dark world apart from the Light of Understanding from God’s Word: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psa.119:105).