Hello again. Today, we will move into an exciting fresh part of this book, Job 31-33.

Not About Lust
This morning, as I launched into my reading, I thought I would write about the next of the seven deadly sins: lust. I have struggled more with this sin than I have with greed or pride.

My family comprised three older sisters and my mother. My brother and I developed an immense respect for women. There have been times this has caused me sorrow.

This led to me marrying women before I had developed a proper relationship with them, and later giving way to divorce them.

Job 31:1 says he “made a covenant with his eyes to not look lustfully at a young woman.” (NIV)

This is easier said than done. Based on how the young women attending the art market dress, they want you to look at them this way. This does not give you a right to be offensive, but they are hard to ignore.

Using social media to promote my writing has resulted in a slew of women sending me provocative pictures of themselves. They wish to entice me to have private meetings with them.

I won’t give them an audience, because I love my wife. Sinning against her would also sin against God and even my flesh. (see 1 Cor. 6:18).

But lust is not my topic today.
Adding to Our Cast
At the end of chapter 31, Job finishes talking.

Then we meet a new character, Elihu.

This is a young man, a descendent of Abraham, since he is called a Buzite.

The book of Job may have been authored by Elihu, although scholarly opinion is divided. (1). Others believe Elihu wrote this portion of Job as commentary to an older version. (2)

We know little about this man, other than he is younger than those who have been speaking. (v32:6).

He speaks up because he had become angry (v32:2).

Was this because Job was talking about lust?

As I have gotten older, I have learned to control my eyes.

My pastor once told me all men will notice a beautiful lady walking down the street. That is just human nature. He said it only becomes lust if you drive around the block to get another look!

When I was younger, I would make that choice. Today, I hear a voice in my head which tells me to divert my gaze.
Fear can Slow Us Down
Therefore, maybe Jobs last comments convicted Elihu and pushed him beyond remaining quiet.

He admits in verse 32:6 to being fearful of saying anything.

As a baby Christian, I knew this emotional response. I had studied to understand the Bible, but I would say nothing because I figured I would look foolish. The men I was talking to, I presumed, were much more learned that I.

My wife would listen to podcasts with people like Dr. James R. White talking about scripture details. Then I would hear a preacher and what they said did not match what Dr. White had described.

In my heart, I knew I should refute them. Fear would stop my lips from opening.
It’s Hard to Stay Silent
It was only after the Spirit came into me I could no longer keep silent. (v32:18). Like Elihu, I had to share my thoughts, or I felt I would explode. (v32:20).

I understood what Jesus meant in Luke 19:40: “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (NIV)

Elihu says his words are from an “upright heart” (v33:3).

He calls out Job for claiming to be pure and free from sin. (v33:9)

This is a correct assessment because John said, “If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” (1 John1:10, NIV)

Elihu tells Job he is wrong to make this claim (v33:12)

He adds God does not change (see Heb 13:8). Therefore, we must not cave to societal pressure to accept sin.

Then this brave young man recaps the sins of price (v33:17) and idolatry.

He mentions confessing his sins (v33:27) and point to having a redeemer (33:25).

God will forgive us multiple times. (v33:29). Grace does not give us license to sin (see Rom 6:15).

We must seek the power of the Holy Spirit to find the courage to speak up when we hear people claim false doctrine.

When people who don’t know doctrine at all, claim we can live sinful lives. Let’s boldly confront their claims, showing the same bravery as Elihu.

There is much more to hear from him.
Tomorrow, we will read Job 34-36

Davidson, A. B. (1884), Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges on Job 35, accessed 23 August 2021

Harley, John E. The Book of Job, Pages 28–29. (Wm. B. Eerdman Publishing Company, 1988)