You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth.
Job 32:21-22
21 Let me not, I pray you, accept [nasa'] any man's ['iysh]
person [paniym], neither let me give flattering titles [kanah] unto man ['adam].
22 For I know [yada`] not to give flattering titles [kanah];
in so doing my maker [`asah] would soon [ma`at] take me away [nasa']. KJV-Interlinear
21 'Let me now be partial to no
one; Nor flatter any man. 22 'For I do not know how to flatter, Else my
Maker would soon take me away. NASB
To be partial means to be incomplete, to demonstrate
some form of favor, to lean in one direction as opposed to another. It also means to tilt truth in favor of some
form of courtesy or compliment, to compromise truth by means of flattery, to
disregard truth such that no one will be insulted.
Elihu was going to call it like he saw it, and was not
going to worry about anyone's feelings, nor favor anyone in order to gain their
favor in return. In other words, no
political correctness, no bias, no compromised principles. And, no made up principles such as the points
the three friends leaned on in their statements.
When a thing is done in the wrong way and added to a
wrong way, it is wrong. When a thing is
done in a wrong way and added to a right way, it is still wrong. When a thing
is done in a right way, but added to a wrong way, it is still wrong.
The only time a right thing becomes right is when it
is done in a right way.
And so the result described by Elihu in the last
verse. When something is not right, then
God intervenes with suffering, punishment, discipline, judgment, loss and so
forth, whichever is appropriate. 'Lest
God take me away.'
Life must be lived inside the fellowship sphere.
You cannot have thoughts of lies and live in sin. That is a wrong combined with a wrong. The result is wrong.
You cannot think truth and live in sin. That is a right thing combined with a
wrong. The result is wrong.
You cannot live in sin and preach truth. That is a
wrong thing combined with a right. The
result is wrong.
You must think truth and live truth. That is accomplished only while in
fellowship. The result for your life is
right.
Elihu is not going to compliment lies. Elihu is not going to address people with
decorative addresses - 'Your excellency.'
'To the honorable ruler who knows all and sees all.' 'To the one and only wise king.'
Elihu will not use titles of honor for people who do
not deserve them.
Furthermore, Elihu will not use Jobs words, since
being younger, he has not known Job during Jobs long life. Likewise, Elihu will
not use the arguments of the three friends, since they are shallow empty
clich s which lack verifiable proofs.
And, Elihu will not subscribe to popular beliefs,
merely because they happen to be popular, or perceived as popular.
The only way one can live their spiritual life, the
only way one can advance in their spiritual life, the only way one can grow up
spiritually, the only way one can maximize their relationship with God, is to
first live inside the fellowship sphere, and second, be obedient to the
mandates which God has laid out in the scriptures.
The primary mandate is to study, learn, utilize, and
grow up spiritually, which is the circle of wisdom designed to make you
successful in life, regardless of your circumstances.
With God nothing is impossible, and you gain access to
that power while living inside the fellowship sphere.
Life is a battle.
Life is an ongoing battle which continues all day long, day after day,
throughout your entire life. Your 'arms
raised high,' is your appeal and your surrender to God through obedience
(confession, growth, etc) every moment of the day, every day of your life.
Lower your arms (become lax in your spiritual life)
and the battle goes against you. Raise
your arms (obedience to the mandates of God), and the battle goes well with
you.
God does not need the instruments of man in order to
accomplish His will. But if you remain
positive and obedient to God through adherence and pursuit of your spiritual
life, then God always honors your positive volition, and in that respect, He
will never fail you. 'The battle is the
Lords.'
'Arms raised high.'
Live by this principle and breathe it.
'Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great
and mighty things.'
Now is the time to post a prayer.
End Of Lesson
Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth.
|