02132021 Right Wisdom

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our all-wise God. I did not realize when I started this week's study how it would speak to my heart, but I think it was an important lesson for me as I continue to wonder about our pastor's death and why God didn't choose to work differently in response to our prayers. I needed this one, and I pray that it will be a blessing to you as well.

Lesson #25. God's wisdom in doing the right thing is beyond question and independent of man's influence. In other words, there is no doubt that God always does right, and God knows what is right without needing man to advise or correct Him. How man and God view the same situation can be quite different, but it is God's vision that is perfect and man's vision that is flawed.

Even in the midst of his struggle, Job knew this was true. He asked, "Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high" (21:22). Listen, Job instructed; God is the one entrusted with making even celestial rulings, those of the absolute highest level. Not even heavenly beings overrule or influence God. How much less would mere mortals be adequate or able to counsel God on what is right?

Job knew this was true, even though he didn't know exactly how to interpret it in his situation. Job clearly had struggles with the application of this truth, and his comments and complaints revealed that this truth didn't always SEEM true. At times his train of thought got derailed, crashing into words through which he seemed to contradict this truth. But the battle to return to truth is the key; truth must be held as the bedrock. Job had to remind himself of truth and choose to believe it even when he didn't fully comprehend it.

Of all the friends, Elihu, the fourth man and youngest of the group, best conveyed God's message. Elihu got frustrated with the inadequate attempts of the other three to adequately answer Job's questions or objectively listen to his protests. When Elihu spoke, he gave an introduction to God's own response, in which God would confirm and reiterate many of the things Elihu had said.

Elihu made several statements related to the concept of God's rightness in wisdom. Elihu recalled Job's words that asserted God was treating him unjustly, and he responded, "Behold, in this thou are not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man" (33:12). If man sets up a construct that implies or requires that God is wrong, then man is wrong, because God can never be wrong. In such a case, there has to be something that man does not understand, some truth that he is not taking into account, or some aspect that is hidden from his sight.

Elihu later admonished all four men, "Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways. Yea, surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment" (34:10-12). Many times, man will not understand that, but the truth does not change. God never does wrong, no matter what it seems like. Elihu continued, "Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?" (36:23). There is no appropriate answer to such a question - no answer except "no one." No one can have any standing for rebuking God. Not only would such a rebuke against deity be wholly inappropriate, but the accusation itself would be faulty. As confused and hurt and disappointed and frustrated as man might be, when it really comes down to the consideration of telling God that He did something wrong, man simply has to wilt inside and admit that such a thing is not possible.

Elihu spoke again: "Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict" (37:23). God indeed is exalted far above man's position, power, wisdom, and righteousness. Man might make wrong judgments for various reasons, whether willful or unwitting, but God never does. God never does a wrong thing. God never pronounces a wrong sentence. God never oversees a wrong response. His character will not allow it.

If God is so wise and if He cannot do wrong, then what He has done is right. Always. Many situations of life may be too complex for man to interpret or may have hidden divine purposes that man can't understand, but the facts do not change. God cannot choose the wrong response. And He does not rely on man's input to tell Him what the right response is.

Man does not understand. In fact, man is so limited that he cannot understand. He simply needs to yield to the One who does. He needs to admit that God is right. What happens when man yields and accepts? God gives grace. Oh, yes, abundant grace to heal, to believe, to move forward. "For God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God" (1 Peter 5:5-6). "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God" (James 4:6-7). Yes, God, You are wise and You are right.

May God bless you this week and give you the grace to accept from Him what is beyond your understanding. Thank God that He doesn't make mistakes! What trust we can have in such a God!

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA