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Job 34:7-9
7 What man [geber] is like Job ['Iyowb], who drinketh up [shathah] scorning [la`ag] like water [mayim]?
8 Which goeth ['arach] in company [chebrah] with the workers [pa`al] of iniquity ['aven], and walketh [yalak] with wicked [resha`] men ['enowsh].
9 For he hath said ['amar], It profiteth [cakan] a man [geber] nothing that he should delight [ratsah] himself with God ['elohiym]. KJV-Interlinear
7 'What man is like Job, Who drinks up derision like water, 8 Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, And walks with wicked men? 9 'For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing When he is pleased with God.' NASB
Back in our study in Job 9:22, Job made these similar remarks, but again, Elihu quotes them incorrectly. Elihu has already stated that he has listened closely to all that has been said by all of these older men, but clearly by now it should be obvious that Elihu did not recall the words correctly nor the context of them, and therefore not their meaning.
God has a policy, which treats everyone the same. Whether you are among the good and decent people in history, or whether you are among the lowest of the low, it makes no difference.
All have sinned, and therefore all are treated according to the requirements of Gods righteousness and justice first, and then love and grace second.
The nicest of people will go to the Lake of Fire if they refuse to believe in the savior, Jesus Christ. The most ruthless of villains will go to heaven if they have believed in the savior, Jesus Christ. So, whether a person is guiltless, so to speak, or wicked, their life style is irrelevant. Gods policy is what is important, not mans thoughts and actions.
Any person can imitate evil patterns of life. Whether you are saved or unsaved, makes no difference. Gods policy is clear. Believe in Christ and be saved. That is the only way of being saved. The Bible presents no other alternative. So the nicest of people cannot enter into heaven, just because they have the most pleasant personality ever. By rejecting Christ, the arrogance of rejecting Gods plan is still the stumbling block deciding ones future.
Now Elihu gets a little derisive or snooty, by suggesting that Job drinks in insults as his pattern of life, that Job seeks out the company of lesser than righteous people (the wrong side of the track crowd) and tries to live a life of hypocrisy. Acting and saying the righteous words of doctrine while simultaneously living among the bad crowd.
But then, didn’t Christ do this same thing? Wasn't he accused of consorting with sinners, prostitutes, and tax collectors? And who made those accusations? The righteous crowd, the chiefs of the priesthood, those who should have understood the principles of doctrine taught by the scriptures.
And so here we have an accidental (so far as Elihu is concerned) comparison of Jesus, who is the most perfect man ever, and Job. With an accusation coming from Elihu, who was greatly knowledgeable in doctrine, but still missing some of the subtleties of its principles, and therefore missing the point entirely.
People can know a lot of the scriptures, and still miss the point. Only a daily study combined with an open mind (fellowship) will allow you to be able to sort out the truth of a matter.
Only sinners, only people who are not advancing in their spiritual life, only people who seize hold of their old thoughts (prior to doctrine) will sooner or later be overwhelmed by the pressures of this world.
Only these people, who lack patience, will begin to have there doubts about the benefits of the spiritual life. Spiritually weak people will question the value of doctrine. Thy will question the value of faith. They will be the 'Why me,' crowd. They will be the, 'How can a loving God …,' crowd.
They will begin to believe that it makes no difference whether you live a life as a sinner or a non-sinner, because everything turns out either good or sour anyway.
But then, did God put you here in this world to remain here forever? Or, is there some other purpose?
Do we look to God with thanks, only when things go well, and whine when things fall apart?
What is the objective of our Bible study anyway?
