Job 33
FEAR OF MISTREATMENT

Job had been though a terrible time. Not only had his whole life collapsed around him, but the people he thought were friends did nothing but abuse him, interrogate him and try to get a confession out of him. As a credit to Elihu, he tried to put Job at ease before he began verbally running him down. The words of Elihu should also be a comfort to us when we find ourselves under attack from other people. Sometimes words can do more harm than weapons, and so we need an antidote to protect us from the harmful effects they can have. Elihu’s words will not always be completely healing, but they do help. He says, “I am the same as you in God’s sight; I too am a piece of clay. No fear of me should alarm you, nor should my hand be heavy on you.” (Job 33 v 6 – 7).

If we could just remember what Elihu said when someone attacks us with their words, we would be able to bear it more easily. Our attacker is just like us. They also have been made by God. They are equal to us. Status, strength and verbosity are only illusions, for we are all made of dust and will return to dust. We need not fear them.

The one we should fear is God. The psalmist sums it up well when he says, “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.” (Psalm 118 v 6). Let us have the same confidence.

May the strength of the Lord be our strength this week.

With love in our Lord,
Robert