Lesson Learned

“For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to [his] ways.” (Job 34:11 AV)

For all the arrogance and immaturity Elihu possesses, he does utter a word of wisdom now and then.  I was going to write on the wisdom of a silent tongue for those who lack the wisdom and maturity to use it.  But the LORD never chastened Elihu.  God never corrected him.  It is not that Elihu was correct in all that he said.  He obviously was not.  And some of what he said was downright outrageous.  Of all those who opined, Elihu was most wanting of compassion and patience.  That comes with immaturity.  As we said before, with all his insolence, Elihu does mutter a word of truth from time to time.  Above, our young man states something very simple and very true.  The LORD renders to people consequences for their actions that they may find that His ways are the best ways.  The mistake Elihu makes is that God always does this quickly and in this life.  Sometimes He does not.  When the wicked prosper, we wonder if the LORD does render consequences for man’s actions.  He does.  The question we must ask ourselves is: do we learn from the lessons God sends our way because of the choices we have made?

I like watching different videos on YouTube that are informative rather than entertaining.  One channel I watch is called the Top Five.  It is a list of things of a certain similarity.  I just watched one yesterday on the 15 most dangerous roads in the world.  I also watch wood turning videos.  It amazes me how these artists can see something in a block of wood that most cannot.  It also is very impressive how the wood worker can add elements to the wood that enhance its natural beauty.  I particularly like projects that introduce polymers, turning a twisted and difficult chunk of wood into a block of material that can be worked.  There is something I notice, however, right off the bat.  I notice the condition of the hands and if the artist is wearing protective equipment.  There is a difference between a weathered hand and a hand beaten up by the machinery and material which the worker uses.  Just the other day, this fella was using a band saw and was not doing so safely.  His hands were getting a bit too close to the blade.  I cringed.  All I could think of is the wood he was cutting, jumping or a soft spot inside the wood might cause it to cut much more quickly.  That guy would do serious injury to his hands if he didn’t use blocks to push his wood.  Then there are those who use safety gloves, smocks up to their armpits and face shields.  They understand the risks involved and choose to make wise choices.  All it takes is one slip or one chuck of fiber, and the worker can lose his eyesight. 

The certainty of the statement above is what is striking.  We will all suffer consequences for choices that we make.  That is how God set it up.  There are laws of creation that do not bend.  There are predictable results.  These consequences are intended to teach certain truths.  These truths are obvious and discernable.  They will manifest themselves as we make right or wrong decisions.  The certainty is that we will eventually learn from them.  Most of us require the same lesson over and again before we learn that which we must know.  Some will even realize how wrong they were after there is no more time to change course.  The words of Elihu, although not applicable to Job’s situation, still ring true.  Job did not cause his situation.  Not in any way.  Sometimes adverse situations are a trial of faith.  Other times, we are simply the desired vessel which God uses for His glory.  Many times, however, we suffer because we need to learn.  The statement above says we will learn whether we like to or not.  It is certain that, in time, we will learn and accept that God is who He is and His ways are always best.