If You Are In a Trial Down Here, Look Up There! Job 35-36

 Job 35:5 (ESV)

Look at the heavens, and see;

and behold the clouds, which are higher than you.

It might be wise to look at the above verse in the context of the chapter, but even more so, the context of the entire book of Job.   In this chapter Elihu, Job’s fourth friend, is finishing his argument to Job and his three friends.   Both Job and his first three friends have continued their debated around several themes. One of the theme of Job’s other friends is that the righteous do not suffer like they see Job’s suffering and the unrighteous do suffer.  One of Job’s arguments have counter that he is innocent and he sees many unrighteous who look blessed and therefore their argument is wrong.   A theme both Job and his friends agree on, however, is that God is impacted by Job’s conduct.  His three friends have maintained that it is Job’s conduct that altered God’s response to Job’s life.  Job has stated that his conduct should have solicited God’s protection, not His wrath, as is being seen in his life.   This is where chapter 35 comes in.  Elihu wants to confront all of them with the fact that God is far above the heavens and awesome in who He is and he neither needs Job (or his three accusers) but acts out of His character and His splendor.   

Elihu is trying to focus them all on who God is and not on their mere circumstances of life.   Notice how chapter 36 starts as Elihu continues his argument:

Job 36:2-4 (ESV)

“Bear with me a little, and I will show you,

for I have yet something to say on God's behalf.

I will get my knowledge from afar

and ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

For truly my words are not false;

one who is perfect in knowledge is with you.

This thought of “I will get my knowledge from afar ... ,” is not meaning Elihu has studied in a far collegiate location.   It means he is speaking for God and that is why in our above verse he tells Job and the three companions to stop talking and look up to the heavens.  There might be a double meaning in Elhu’s words.  He is telling them to look to the heavens because God’s ways are certainly higher than their thoughts.  This was a theme for Isaiah as he prophesied:

Isaiah 55:9 (ESV)

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

But, Elihu also might be echoing something that King David would also see and say:

Psalms 19:1 (ESV)

The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

It might be the Elihu is setting the table for God’s speech to Job, which is to follow. He is saying, “Gentlemen, get your heads out of the earthly arguments and LOOK UP! God is so higher than your thoughts.  He transcends your mere minds.   But, He is right there to declare His glory!”

Notice how God starts His speech to Job:

Job 38:1-7 (ESV)

The LORD Answers Job

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

Dress for action like a man;

I will question you, and you make it known to me.

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

Tell me, if you have understanding.

Who determined its measurements—surely you know!

Or who stretched the line upon it?

On what were its bases sunk,

or who laid its cornerstone,

when the morning stars sang together

and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

We see God Himself declaring His glory by asking Job to “look!”   God wants us to look away from our pain, sorrow and suffering and trials and get our heads up and see the glory of God in the heavens.    If you find yourself in a trail down here, look up and see the glory of God up there!