Human Response 651: Strive Against God

Job 33:12-14 Behold, in this thou art not just; I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. Why dost thou strive against him? For he giveth not account of any of his matters. For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.

Elihu speaks some truth when he accuses Job of complaining (striving) against God. In order to maintain his innocence Job must imply that God is in the wrong. Elihu picks up on a theme of the book: that “God’s ways are not man’s ways,” and even if we are told what God is doing and why we could not perceive (understand) it.

We are left with what God has revealed (Jesus, the Word, the Son) and that is enough for us to believe His love and trust His wisdom and justice. It is admittedly extremely difficult for Job in his suffering to say, “God is good.” However, after a long story and an abundance of words Job confesses that God is God and he is not and that God is good and he is not: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted…I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know [Job 42:2-3].” He repented in dust and ashes.

God gave us Jesus, and He is all we need. Therefore, we can trust the Lord for the things we do not know, the great mysteries of godliness. “Striving” against God, or just complaining, is a way of saying, “I’m greater than God,” which is a lie. Instead we trust God, for He is good.