Knowing the Good
Then Elihu answered and said: Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know; for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food. Let us choose what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good.
Job 34:1–4
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Knowing the Good
Elihu, in addressing Job’s three friends, becomes sarcastic in his response. “You wise men…you who know.” These words are stinging insults against these older men who have come to counsel Job. Elihu in his youth and zeal for the truth, hurts his reputation somewhat with his insults. Even if he speaks the truth, it is in danger of being lost because of his own rash response. We too often succumb to this, no matter our age. We know what the truth is and we don’t care if it offends, because I am going to let everyone know I am right and they are wrong. God’s Word tells us to always speak the truth, “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:25). We do no one any favors by denying the truth, especially when it comes to God and salvation. Yet we are to know the good, which is to say, as St. Paul has told us, “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). We are to speak words of truth in love. Just as Christ is “the truth” (John 14:6) and “God is love” (1 John 4:8). To know the good is to know Christ, who is truth and love. And in Him there is salvation, forgiveness, and life eternal.
Job 34:1–4
+
Knowing the Good
Elihu, in addressing Job’s three friends, becomes sarcastic in his response. “You wise men…you who know.” These words are stinging insults against these older men who have come to counsel Job. Elihu in his youth and zeal for the truth, hurts his reputation somewhat with his insults. Even if he speaks the truth, it is in danger of being lost because of his own rash response. We too often succumb to this, no matter our age. We know what the truth is and we don’t care if it offends, because I am going to let everyone know I am right and they are wrong. God’s Word tells us to always speak the truth, “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:25). We do no one any favors by denying the truth, especially when it comes to God and salvation. Yet we are to know the good, which is to say, as St. Paul has told us, “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). We are to speak words of truth in love. Just as Christ is “the truth” (John 14:6) and “God is love” (1 John 4:8). To know the good is to know Christ, who is truth and love. And in Him there is salvation, forgiveness, and life eternal.
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