Part 1: Elihu's Understanding of God

We often encounter Christians who have believed for many years, yet their spiritual life remains weak. Do you aspire to be a resounding Christian? Are you truly willing to lay down your life for God? When your work conflicts with serving God, would you forsake your work to serve Him? Today, let Pastor Liu lead us in making such choices, in becoming a resounding Christian!

Questions for Reflection:

In what aspects does Elihu's understanding of God manifest?

How does God manifest the glory of His power through us?

When you encounter difficulties or temptations, do you perceive them as God attacking you?

First Understanding: The Nature of God

What Elihu states is a fact. I believe Elihu is expressing a declaration on behalf of God, letting people know what kind of God He is. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Which of us can boldly declare, God, I thank You; I am willing to lay down my life?

Are you truly willing to lay down your life for God? When your work and serving God conflict, wouldn't it be good to slightly set aside your work to gain rest? I have set it aside before. After setting it aside, God bestowed upon me honour and nobility, exalting me step by step.

A sister came among us, but later could not agree, left the church and returned to the workplace. Afterwards, she returned to us again because she received a warning letter, stating she had 60 days left in her job. After returning for only a few days, as a glimpse of reversal appeared in her job, she left the church again. She valued her job as if it were her life. A few days ago, she was dismissed.

If you can preserve your job by your own ability, then pursue that path. But as for me, I absolutely do not rely on myself; I rely on the God who loves me. Since He gave me Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, will He not also freely give me all things? If I do not seize hold of God, what is the point of clinging onto anything else? Actually, I am well qualified to cling onto my job, but I know that is not my path, because my answers are all within God.

When Elihu was speaking these words, God used visions to open their ears in their deepest slumber. In their dreams, He instructed them, impressing upon them the lessons they ought to receive, in order to turn them away from their own plans, from acts of pride, to keep back their soul from the pit, and their life from perishing by the sword (Job 33:16-18).

In the Old Testament, God didn't want old Eli to be sentenced to death, repeatedly warning him to turn back to God. God also repeatedly warned Saul, but both refused to turn back, walking in their own schemes.

Today, there are still many in our church who wish to walk in their own schemes. They tell me many things, but none of it is according to the Bible, all are their own plans. You are about to jump into a pit, and God won't stop you, but the choice is yours and mine. This is Elihu's first understanding of God.

Second Understanding: God Redeems My Soul from the Pit; My Life Will See the Light

God performs all these things with mankind, time and again, to redeem their souls from the pit, so that they may be enlightened with the light of life. Today, we must know that God is the God who redeems us. God wants to redeem us from the pit; He performs such things countless times for mankind.

A sinner, no matter when they turn back to God, God will embrace them anew. Although the Bible speaks harshly, saying that for such people, there is no further opportunity for repentance, it speaks very sternly. However, I believe as long as this person truly repents and turns back to God, God will still accept them because God saves people.

Therefore, let us carefully consider whether we treat God’s redemption as a mere rag or as a priceless treasure. You and I were originally without hope, without any expectation; we lived and then died. What we boast in this world is but toil and trouble. Those who haven’t been afflicted with cancer thank God. However, regardless of the disease, it's enough to bear!

What can we boast about in this world? Do you truly know your future? You don't even know if you will see the rising sun tomorrow. What are you boasting about? What are you planning? The time of your death is not up to you. What counts of what you say? What is the point of clinging to your job? Some say, Pastor, you don't understand me. Can I understand you? I tell you, God doesn't understand you either. You don't understand yourself.

Today, I want to say something from the depths of my heart: work cannot save you from the grave. Therefore, when someone tells me certain things, I tell them, Do you understand the reality of the spiritual realm? If you know, then why are you still speaking such nonsense? Among us, there are not many who have absolutely no understanding of the spiritual realm; more or less, we have all seen the reality of the spiritual realm, haven't we? Don't think these things don't exist.

Last Sunday, a couple who came among us called me. The man's mother-in-law has liver cancer and only two months to live. Recently, his mother-in-law often sees the ox-headed and horse-faced deities. It turns out that what we Chinese call the ox-headed and horse-faced deities are not false.

Do you know what that is? That is the spirit of death. He asked me, Why does my mother-in-law keep seeing the ox-headed and horse-faced deities, and what should I do? The spirits of hell are coming to seize your mother-in-law. What should you do? Fight, and repel these spirits of death. But in this world, God has overcome the spirits of hell and death and has placed this authority in your hands. Do we truly cherish and use this authority?

Among us, I believe you will all know how precious this authority is. I am very emotional that someone can experience God but not treat Him as a treasure and often shame God. If I were living in this generation and could return to my country when I was young, if I had the opportunity to continue attending gatherings, I tell you I would never miss one.

Isn't it good to cultivate such a character? To truly know God and His redemption, saving us from hell and death, rescuing human souls from the pit and from hell, and then enabling people to be illuminated by the light and become living beings with spirit! This is such a precious thing, but many people do not value it. I think Elihu's words are so good.

God is Never a God Who Does Evil

When we read the Book of Genesis, we often have non-believers who come among us to study the Bible. God is too harsh, how could He destroy Sodom like that? After listening to them, I say, Friend, if you and I were judges, how would you judge? They ask me to tell them what happened in that place.

I say, In that place, anyone who passes through, from the age of 1 to 70, anyone who enters and merely passes through that place is raped. And the entire city, men, women, young, and old, all do this until they kill the person. I ask you, if that person were your family member, how would you judge that city? They say, They should be sentenced to death!

Today, if we hear about some countries online where they frequently gang-rape children, you would find it hard to accept, wouldn't you? If you are someone who accepts that, do you still have any righteousness or conscience? What does God say? Even if there are fifty, forty, or thirty righteous people, I will not destroy the city for their sake. God would never do evil.

Today, when we see things we don't understand, we should admit that we don't understand, and not judge God. We might think that judging God is forgivable, but it is not, because we do not know God. God has given us His only begotten Son; will He not freely give us all things? Yet we do not treasure Him.

God in heaven sees people trapped in sin, and His spirit cannot rest. God is exceedingly grieved. In the days of Noah, God said, I regret that I have made man on the earth. Do you know how hurt God felt at that time?

Today, there are also some brothers and sisters among us. Actually, I think if everyone truly understands your pastor, I don't want to count the sacrifices your pastor has made for you, because they all come from God. But if what I have sacrificed for you is seen as a control, as a corruption, then I still feel pain in my heart, although my healing ability is quite fast, and I don't really care.

This time when I went back to Taipei, I repeatedly declined, saying that I would take a taxi to the meeting venue from the airport, so there was no need to trouble anyone, but they insisted on sending a car to pick me up. I was very surprised. When I returned to Singapore, I said that I would take a taxi myself, but a pastor insisted on sending me back to the airport. I am very grateful. I would not see such love as a control but rather as an encouragement. I will continue to manifest God's glory in Singapore, inheriting the destiny of Ling Liang Church, believing that this is God's destiny for me.

God Does Not Need You and Me

I will answer you, and your friends with you. Look at the heavens and see; and behold the clouds, which are higher than you. If you sin, what do you accomplish against him? Or if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him? If you are righteous, what do you give to him? Or what does he receive from your hand? Your wickedness affects a man like yourself, and your righteousness a son of man. (Job 35:4-8)

This part speaks of Elihu's understanding of God: if you do righteousness, God won't gain anything; if you fall into sin, God won't lose anything. God won't be affected by what you do. God is the self-existent God. He does not lack anything. We must not think too highly of ourselves. We bring a heart of gratitude, saying, God, we thank You for saving us from all darkness. We come before You. We cannot add anything to You, but we know that You love us, and You long for us to turn back to You and receive blessings in Your presence.

If you think carefully, you will know that the Earth is like a speck of dust in the universe. People on Earth are like a speck of dust on the Earth. God possesses all things in the universe. We receive what great grace in His presence. It is only because He loves us and wishes us to be saved. As for what we choose, we must never think too highly of ourselves. God neither gains nor loses.

Elihu's understanding of God: As for whether there is one more or one less Job in heaven, is that a great matter? It is only that God longs to be glorified because of us. He longs to share His glory with us and let us benefit. So when Paul wrote the Pauline epistles, he said that he wanted more people to share in the benefits of the gospel. If you come with a purpose, it is to receive blessings before God. I tell you that is the right idea. It's not about what we can do for God. Of course, it's good if you have such a heart because God has already done everything for you.

Today, you must know that you and I are His handiwork before God. But are we willing to let God sculpt us, making us vessels that manifest His glory? Or do we let our own nature decide what we do, and then become vessels for the devil to manifest the powers of darkness?

So today, I hope that our brothers and sisters will all know that we need God, not God needing us. God only loves us and does not want us to perish. He is very saddened when we perish, because He loves us very much.

It is not a joke to see those He created enter into hell. Today, if anyone among us has walked through hell, they would never want to go to that place again. They would run the heavenly road for all their worth, you know? If you don't understand the seriousness of the issue, and still think you can give God something, as if you need to give God some face to believe in Him, then you are mistaken. God doesn't gain much from having us, and doesn't lose much from not having us. Because He Himself is a self-existent God. He Himself is a bountiful God. He is bountiful to such an extent that He wants to give His bounty to us. This is Elihu's understanding of God.

God Honours You and Me

Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any; he is mighty in strength of understanding. (Job 36:5)

Do you know how good our God is? God is mighty. Although we are like a speck of dust, He does not despise us. Do you know what an honour that is? God highly respects you and me. He is fully capable of stripping you of all your free will, yet He respects you and never despises anyone. He sees us as treasures.

So there is a passage in the New Testament like this: the kingdom of heaven is like a man seeking treasure, and then finding that treasure, and then he buries that treasure in the field, and then sells all that he owns and buys that field, in order to obtain the treasure in his field. And then many people thought that we were the ones burying the treasure. Actually, after careful consideration, it turns out that God is the one burying the treasure.

He disregards everything to buy the treasure in the field. It turns out that you and I are that treasure. You need to know that those with faith are seen as treasures in God's eyes. How precious are they? He does not despise anyone, and His wisdom is vast. He does not preserve the life of the wicked, but gives justice to the afflicted. He always watches over the righteous; He seats them with kings on thrones, being lifted up forever.

God's will was originally to save us from the dust. If we have that kind of faith within us, He will seat us on His throne. Heavens! If anyone does not want such grace, I would say that they are the biggest fools in the world, not knowing how to enjoy the honour of royalty, not knowing that you and I are a royal priesthood.

So if there is a chance in the future, when you go out to evangelize, you must carry the image of a royal priest. I must tell everyone today that money is like joss paper, not really of much use. If we don't know that we will reign with the King, with God, we have done our Christian life in vain.

I think I am looking forward to the coming of that day. I don't know if I will attain it, but I will forget what is behind and strive towards what is ahead, running straight toward such goal, and receiving the reward from the hand of God. He exalts us not for just a day or two, and then takes us down. He wants to exalt you forever because you can live a victorious Christian life in this world. What a great grace this is! So I think that until we see the Lord, we will be able to fully understand what is written in the Bible.

But I feel especially great after reading these words. I was originally just a speck of dust, but God did not look down on me and even prepared the grace of a royal priesthood for me, allowing me to reign with Him in the future. If today we despise our office, valuing your work more than you value God, valuing money more than you value God, then there are indeed people among us, and I think that the theory of chicken leg bread might still have a market. But I want to tell you that the theory is not about chicken legs, it is about kingship.

God’s Power Transcends Our Rationality

Behold, God is great, and we know him not, the number of his years is unsearchable. (Job 36:26)

What is this section about? I tell you that God's power transcends our rationality. God is great, how great? We cannot fully know. So when we enter this spiritual world, begin to have a little knowledge and understanding of God, I tell you that what you understand is not even a drop of seawater.

If you are merely satisfied with this and give up on constantly pursuing the knowledge of God, what foolishness that is. If you gain a drop of water in the ocean of knowing God, it will already overwhelm you. If a person gains this little bit, and then begins to be satisfied with the status quo, I tell you that God sees this as foolish.

God is so great, completely beyond our imagination. Some people ask what we will do in heaven? I tell you that knowing God is an eternal matter. We can never confine the path of knowing God. That is to say, in the mystery of God, we only know a little bit. We only know a little bit of the mystery of knowing God. If we are a foolish person today, begin to put down the revelation of God, begin to no longer know God, and then think that the work you are doing is everything in your life, that is very foolish in the eyes of God.

You know that the work that God does is too miraculous, like rain, thunder, and lightning, and even some things as He uses the thunder of His voice to make known His works. I tell you that when a storm is coming, the animals know, but the people don't know. Don't you think that's strange? Don't think that people know more than animals. You know that recently rats have been running rampant in the streets of New York, and they say that New York has been controlled by rats.

You need to know that in the environment in which we live, if animals start to act a little strange, you need to know that something big is about to happen. You need to prepare well. So when God does these things, the animals know first and the people know later. People need to learn from the animals. Don't you think that's amazing? Actually, it's not about learning from the animals, it's about fearing God. God wants to humiliate people, to humiliate our scientists. I tell you that the animals know things before our scientists. Don't you think that's very strange?

In 1976, the Tangshan earthquake later recorded that on that day the animals in the whole city and countryside were very strange. For example, ducks that could not fly, flew onto the walls, and rats scurried everywhere. Very strange things happened, but people did not know what was about to happen. Then in the night, a great earthquake occurred, killing hundreds of thousands of people. People are too small. God is too great, completely beyond what you and I can imagine.

Today, I want to give everyone encouragement. I encourage everyone to learn to pursue the knowledge of God. Never let God one day declare to you: You shall never enter my rest., and then sever relationship with people. We have no way to enter God's presence again. Isn't the Israelites who died in the wilderness our lesson? Isn't the Israelites who died in the wilderness a lesson that we need to learn? Why do people still walk on this hard-hearted road today? I tell you, God's heart is about to break. God broke God’s own Son, Jesus Christ, for us, but people do not treasure that .

Today, a sister came to the church this morning. I listened to her testimony. I am very grateful. I said, God, you are so wonderful. You always exalt those honour you, you cause those honour you to receive honor. This sister of ours originally did not want to be a teacher after graduating from vocational school. She was afraid to stand on a platform. But today is a teacher. After she became a teacher, the company filmed her lessons and sent them as a sample to the headquarters to compete with all the other branches. May God grant her grace, enable her lessons to win awards, and become an extremely beautiful resume for her, allowing her to gain a highlight in her resume. I do not think this is our ability. What ability do we have? This is God's grace, this is God's favour.

Later, she shared with me about all the teachers who had worked with her, who had a peer review. Her peer review was the highest score. I told this sister not to think that that was our ability. That is God’s favor manifesting on us. Do you know why this is the case? One day, she started dedicating every Friday. Her company gives her Friday off. There is a prayer meeting every week, from 10:30 a.m. to afternoon, and she will come every week.

I think we have washing clothes, housework cleaning, buying, sorting house, these can be done, but she takes this time give it to be sanctified. You honor God, and God will honor you. In the past few years, I have been determined and resolute. Today I standing here as pastor, it’s not because of anything else, it’s because I really want to be a pastor. I really want to serve my God, because serving my God is my life. He is not optional.

In fact, when I was the CIO, I think I could have reason to treat my work as God. But I take serving God is my life. Although at first, I do not know how to build the church, but my motives never been wrong. I want to serve my God, because my God is the source of my life. I think so, you need to learn.

God Has Both Mercy and Discipline

Whether for correction, or for his land, or for kindness, he causes it to strike. (Job 37:13)

Elihu had a wonderful grace in his understanding of God, clearly describing both God's discipline and mercy. It's not about either being indifferent to discipline or loving to an extreme. He has both discipline and mercy, aiming to bring people to life. With both discipline and mercy, He can win some to enter His kingdom.

This is truly worth pondering. Some say God is love, loving indiscriminately. Others say God is severe, forgetting that He is a God of mercy. So today, we must have a correct understanding of God. I believe Elihu's words about God are endorsed by God. That's why God doesn't rebuke Elihu. His tone is completely different from the previous three friends.

Choose to Believe

Pay attention to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders. (Job 37:14)

God's wonders are beyond our comprehension. What lies behind this incomprehensibility? Actually, it's faith. Because we cannot fully know, we believe. Our belief simplifies God's complex mysteries because we choose to believe. When we choose the path of faith, we are righteous. God considers you righteous. How wonderful!

Job kept wanting to know what had happened. But God never told him about the wager with Satan. Job never knew. And Elihu, can you know these things? These mysteries belong to the Lord. As for God's love for us, we must also come forward in faith to receive God's mercy, isn't it?

If we know that God is merciful, that's enough. You can receive mercy through faith. The testimony I just shared with you is a testament to God's mercy. When I started my first real job, I worked for a year. You know what? My English was terrible. I didn't know if I could communicate correctly with others. Often, communication was like a chicken talking to a duck. But at the end of the year, they chose me as the advanced worker of the entire company, the best performance award.

I tell you, when I went on stage, I stammered when I had to say a few words. I knew it wasn't my ability because God chose me and gave me such favor. Later, step by step, God elevated me to the position of CIO. When I became the CIO, the people who won awards with me that day all became department leaders.

I think the more you want to know these phenomena, the better you should use the ability to understand these phenomena to know God. Knowing God is not difficult at all. What does the Bible say? If you seek to know God, knock and it will be opened to you, seek and you will find. Not seeking the knowledge of natural science, but seeking the path of life. How clouds float in the sky, let them float.

But how I can gain abundant life, that's what I seek. How I can know this God more. How to further experience this God. Experience more of His wonderful deeds. And gain more power from His throne, and in this world, become a vessel to manifest His glory. And become a blessing to all nations on earth, that's what we should pursue. What we pursue is not a physical phenomenon. Or a chemical phenomenon. Of course, pursuing this is left to scientists. But we Christians, we must become people who manifest God's glory. That is what Elihu said.

He Does Not Care for Those Who Think They Are Wise

The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress. (Job 37:23)

How well said! Like the last sentence of Ecclesiastes. He does not care for those who think they are wise. Today, if you think you are great, you are the one God does not care for. If you feel that God is my God, this is the center of my life, I want to live a God-centered life.

I will fear Him all my life, so I will follow Him all my life. He is my way, my life, my everything. If you have such thoughts, like Elihu said, the Almighty is beyond our reach, He is great in power, fair and righteous, and will not oppress people, so people fear Him. That's the key.

You must fear God. If you do not fear God, what are these things you are pursuing? What's the use of you talking to me about this and that? Today I tell you an idea in my heart, maybe it will offend some people, but this is the true thought in my heart. Because in the past few days in the Taipei course, Pastor Zhou and his wife stood on the stage and began to tell our 120 full-time church pastors and co-workers again that building a church is like flying an airplane, and those who want to go to the kingdom of heaven come up. If you don't want to go to the kingdom of heaven, get off quickly. Because when he wants to get off halfway. You don't know whether to get off or not. Do you understand?

So today I saw a piece of news that said that a drunk man showed his love to the flight attendant. As a result, the plane could not fly to its destination and had to return and make an emergency landing. If there is a drunkard in the church with a bomb and we say we are going to fly to the kingdom of heaven. He said if you want to fly, I'll pull this rope. Then we will all perish together.

Do you want such a person to come up? You don't want it and neither do I. All of us who carry the same mission, maybe you don't know what the mission is, but you have a heart in your heart, you want to know God more, we will come with you to know God more. If you say you want to leave, I will never keep you. I will never keep anyone who wants to leave.

If you agree with my words, everyone has the same approval, then we will continue to walk this path. It's not that the pastor doesn't have love. If you are willing, I will definitely love you, I will definitely love you to the end. But if you pursue things in the world, then go, as for me and our brothers and sisters, we will definitely serve Jehovah, because serving God is our life! Amen!

Elihu Has Several Understandings of Job

Reject the Erroneous Idea That God Is Attacking Me

First, in chapter 33, verse 8, Elihu says, Surely I have heard you speaking, and I have heard the very words you uttered. What did Job say? “I am pure and without sin; I am clean and free from guilt. Yet God has found fault with me; he considers me his enemy; he fastens my feet in shackles; he keeps close watch on all my paths.” (Job 33:8-11). I ask you, are Elihu's words what Job said? If some of us recognize God in this way. You have taken Job's not-so-correct path.

Although Job said this during this process, what did he say later? I used to hear about God, but now I see God with my own eyes. This is not the result of not knowing God. At this time, Job did not actually know God. Job still likes to ask why this and why that. He wants to know a lot of things. At this time, Elihu did not take what Job said correctly to evaluate, Elihu took what Job said that was not very correct to say a little bit, so that we can understand where Job's problem lies.

It doesn't matter if we are pure and innocent, we don't have any sins. But we cannot say that God is looking for opportunities to attack me. God is looking for opportunities to attack you, God is playing with you. Is it fun? I don't think God would do such a thing. Attack us and play with us. Not fun at all. I think today we must learn one thing. What kind of thing should we learn? God will not attack us, nor will He use us as targets, nor will He use us as enemies. Although we don't know what is happening behind some of the things that happened to us.

Like the example of the pastor I just gave. We don't know what happened behind it. But thank God that God is still reigning over that pastor, isn't it reversed? After a very hard journey of seven years. But what does it matter? So if we feel pure and innocent, and then nothing will happen, that's not the case. God wants you to know Him even more. So today I will share an example with you.

Someone said, Lord, give me patience. Then another pastor asked, What are you asking for? Then he said, What am I asking for? He said, Tribulation produces perseverance; perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope. If you ask for patience, there will inevitably be tribulations. We may not understand such things, God's work is so wonderful.

But we must never say that God is attacking me. Such recognition is very problematic. You know, when a person gets cancer, people will comfort the patient and say, Thank God, God allowed this to happen, thank God, this is God giving it to you. You know, when the person with cancer hears this, they will have the thought that God is attacking me. Although we don't understand, even if it's Job's situation now, we don't understand. But inside us, have we begun to reject a wrong idea that God is attacking me?

God Is My Salvation

Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good. (Job 34:4)

Second, in chapter 34, verse 5, do you think Job is right? I think these problems that Elihu picked out are too insightful. He thought he was righteous. So such a thing is allowed to happen to me. God has taken away your right. Is it according to reason? It's not according to reason. Although I am right, I am still considered a liar. Although I am innocent, the pain I have suffered cannot be healed. In fact, I tell you, God is the God who heals us. If I have not been healed yet, but I believe that God will definitely heal me.

So start rejecting this wrong, negative lie. Is he lying? Don't think that you did those things in the past and then think you are righteous. You can't really talk about righteousness. When we know God later, if we rely on Job's idea that God took my reason, he will not be righteous. But he still thought he was righteous. Because what? Because he felt that what he did in the past was righteous. Although God does not pick on his reason. But that doesn't mean what Job said is right. But what Job said is actually problematic.

The problem that Elihu picked out accurately pointed out Job's problem. In fact, Elihu did not take out other problems to say. I think can we now say in reverse, God is my reason. God is my life. God is my truth. God is my way. Just affirm that God is my healing, God is my provider, God is my everything. God will never be vain, God will never do evil. God must be my salvation, forever, even though we experience some things.

But what does it matter? If this momentary and light suffering can achieve an incomparable glory. What's so great? With this attitude, despise all the difficulties we face, there is nothing great. All trample under their feet because God has prepared the best way for me Amen! This is Job's second.

Don't Be a Rebellious Israelite

“Job speaks out of ignorance; his words lack insight.” I wish Job were tested to the utmost because he answers like the wicked. To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God. (Job 34:35-37)

I tell you, if a person does not know God, he will say such things, instead of saying what Elihu said. Some of the things Job said are words of faith, we thank God; but some he is still entangled in some things. Today I encourage everyone, never be like the wicked. Elihu said a word, may Job be tested to the end. This is true. If God tests you and me, sells us into slavery in Egypt, puts us in prison as prisoners, if it is like Job, Joseph will sit on the bottom of the prison forever and will never come out, he will be tested to the end. Today you and I must learn to be victorious in God's trials.

The Israelites left Egypt and entered the wilderness and crossed the Red Sea. As a result, they tempted God ten times and took the path of unbelief. For example, there is no water in this place, so complain, why is there no water, we might as well die in Egypt.

If you have the heart to die, what are you afraid of if there is no water? This person is very strange, and then Moses prayed to God, and God gave them water, and you can learn a lesson when he gives them water? Should have learned a lesson, right? This place can have water, my God is so wonderful. What will you do next time you encounter no water? You will say that our three million Israelis will pray together, and our God will definitely give us water. Then you also get water.

Three million Israelis, from large to small, complained there, we might as well die in Egypt. God gave them water again, but they still didn't learn a lesson. The third time there was no water again, and the water was still bitter. Never learn a lesson, never learn a lesson, and as a result, God gave them this water lesson three times and then judged them a volume, failed! Then give another one, also failed. In the end, they died in the wilderness.

Today, in God's test, if God tests us, we must not answer God like the wicked, then we will be tested to the end. What does it mean to be tested to the end? It is to die in the wilderness. Do you want to die in the wilderness or be victorious? It is so good to be victorious and enter the promised land. Do you understand? It is such a wonderful thing to obtain a promise. If you don't want it, I want it, I definitely want it. I think, no matter what kind of situation I encounter, I must be strong and courageous, and hold on to my faith. Never be frivolous about God, never say evil words to God, and then add rebellion to sin, this is not a good person.

God Makes Those Who Love Him Benefit

What profit is it to me?” or “What do I gain if I turn from my sin? (Job 35:3)

How did Job's fourth say it? He still doesn't understand how there can be no benefit in this victory. What profit is it to me? He likes to walk peacefully in the world. But I tell you, the road God has prepared for us. Is what a rich grace. Even if you encounter some trials and tests, what does it matter, they are all beneficial to us. Look at what the Bible says, all things work together for good to those who love God.

But when it comes to Job, it becomes what profit is it to me? If something is going to happen, start thanking God, this is my benefit. This is what God wants. Let all things work together for good, so that I can benefit. What good is it for me not to sin than to sin? Even the distinction between having committed sin and not having committed sin is blurred. Are you saying you want to lose your life?

Do Not Speak Vain Words, Speak Words Without Knowledge

So Job speaks to no purpose; his words lack knowledge.” (Job 35:16)

So Job speaks vain words and utters many words without knowledge. If everyone consults the Bible, don't quote those vain words as truth. Don't quote if you don't understand. It's better to quote what God said.

Speak vain words and utter many words without knowledge. If a person does not know God, he often speaks ignorant words. In serving brothers and sisters, I just feel embarrassed to say that after listening, I can only say where this is in the Bible. If this is not in the Bible, it is probably ignorance. Why do people have to take this ignorant road? If you take that ignorant road. Don't wake up and stubbornly continue to run that ignorant road. May God have mercy.

Don't think that Job speaking these vain words is not a problem. It's just because God is letting him experience such things, God is just having mercy on him. Speaking vain words in such a situation, God also said, Forget it, I have suffered so much, so just complain.

But have you and I re-recognized that I don't think there is any more record of Job's story later, but God doubled his blessing on Job. What would he do if Job experienced the same thing again later, not necessarily exactly the same story, but he may experience another round of trials in his life.

But if he is someone who used to hear about God and now sees God with his own eyes and knows God, I think these words of Elihu, the words of God, will be deeply imprinted in his mind. He will no longer speak vain words. A person who does not know God is a very sad thing. These are the five aspects of Job's problems pointed out by Elihu.

Scripture:

Job 32:1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
Job 32:2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was angry with Job. He was angry because Job justified himself rather than God.
Job 32:3 He was also angry with Job's three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
Job 32:4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he.
Job 32:5 But when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouths of these three men, he became angry.
Job 32:6 So Elihu the Buzite, the son of Barachel, answered and said: “I am young in years, and you are very old; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you.
Job 32:7 I said, ‘Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.’
Job 32:8 But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.
Job 32:9 It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.
Job 32:10 Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare my opinion.’
Job 32:11 Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your wise sayings, while you searched out what to say.
Job 32:12 I gave you my attention, and behold, there was none among you who refuted Job or answered his words.
Job 32:13 Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom; God will vanquish him, not a man.’
Job 32:14 He has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your words.
Job 32:15 They are dismayed; they answer no more; they have nothing to say.
Job 32:16 Shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand there, and answer no more?
Job 32:17 I also will answer with my share; I too will declare my opinion.
Job 32:18 For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me.
Job 32:19 Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins ready to burst.
Job 32:20 I must speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer.
Job 32:21 I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward anyone.
Job 32:22 For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away.
Job 33:1 “But now, Job, hear my speech and listen to all my words.
Job 33:2 Behold, I open my mouth; the tongue in my mouth speaks.
Job 33:3 My words declare the uprightness of my heart, and what my lips know they speak sincerely.
Job 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Job 33:5 If you can answer me, set your words in order before me, and stand forth.
Job 33:6 Behold, I am toward God as you are; I too was pinched off from a piece of clay.
Job 33:7 Behold, no fear of me need terrify you; my weight will not be heavy upon you.
Job 33:8 “Surely, you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the sound of your words.
Job 33:9 You say, ‘I am pure, without transgression; I am clean and there is no iniquity in me.
Job 33:10 Behold, he finds occasions against me and counts me as his enemy.
Job 33:11 He puts my feet in the stocks and watches all my paths.’
Job 33:12 “Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.
Job 33:13 Why do you contend against him, saying, ‘He will answer none of my words’?
Job 33:14 For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it.
Job 33:15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds,
Job 33:16 then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings,
Job 33:17 that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from him;
Job 33:18 he keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword.
Job 33:19 “Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed and with continual strife in his bones,
Job 33:20 so that his life loathes bread, and his appetite loathes rich food.
Job 33:21 His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen, and his bones that were not seen stick out.
Job 33:22 His soul draws near the pit, and his life to those who bring death.
Job 33:23 If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him,
Job 33:24 and he is gracious to him and says, ‘Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom.’
Job 33:25 Let his flesh become fresh with youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor.
Job 33:26 Then man prays to God, and he accepts him; he sees his face with a shout of joy, and he restores to man his righteousness.
Job 33:27 He sings before men and says: ‘I sinned and perverted what was right, and it was not repaid to me.
Job 33:28 He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit, and my life shall look upon the light.’
Job 33:29 “Behold, God does all these things, twice, three times, with a man,
Job 33:30 to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be lighted with the light of life.
Job 33:31 Pay attention, O Job, listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.
Job 33:32 If you have any words, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you.
Job 33:33 If not, listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.”
Job 34:1 Then Elihu said:
Job 34:2 “Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know;
Job 34:3 for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food.
Job 34:4 Let us choose what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good.
Job 34:5 For Job has said, ‘I am in the right, and God has taken away my right;
Job 34:6 in spite of my right I am counted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
Job 34:7 What man is like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water,
Job 34:8 who goes in company with evildoers and walks with wicked men?
Job 34:9 For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should take delight in God.’
Job 34:10 “Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding: far be it from God to do wickedness, and from the Almighty to do wrong.
Job 34:11 For according to the work of a man he will repay him, and according to his ways he will make it befall him.
Job 34:12 Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.
Job 34:13 Who gave him charge over the earth? And who laid on him the whole world?
Job 34:14 If he should set his heart to do this, gather to himself his spirit and his breath,
Job 34:15 all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.
Job 34:16 “If you have understanding, hear this; listen to the sound of my words.
Job 34:17 Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the righteous mighty One,
Job 34:18 who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,’ and to nobles, ‘Wicked men,’
Job 34:19 who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?
Job 34:20 In a moment they die; at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away by no human hand.
Job 34:21 “For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps.
Job 34:22 There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves.
Job 34:23 For God has no need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.
Job 34:24 He shatters the mighty without investigation and sets others in their place.
Job 34:25 For he knows their works; he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.
Job 34:26 As wicked men he strikes them in a public place,
Job 34:27 because they turned aside from following him and had no regard for any of his ways,
Job 34:28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, and he heard the cry of the afflicted—
Job 34:29 When he is quiet, who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can behold him, whether it be a nation or a man?—
Job 34:30 that the godless man should not reign, that he should not ensnare the people.
Job 34:31 “For has anyone said to God, ‘I have borne punishment, though I have done no wrong;
Job 34:32 teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?
Job 34:33 Must it be according to your judgment? Because you refuse to accept it, must I choose for you? Declare what you know.
Job 34:34 Men of understanding will say to me, and the wise man who hears me will say:
Job 34:35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words are not in insight.’
Job 34:36 Would that Job were tried to the end, because he answers like wicked men.
Job 34:37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands in our midst and multiplies his words against God.”
Job 35:1 And Elihu said:
Job 35:2 “Do you think this to be just? Do you say, ‘I am more in the right than God’?
Job 35:3 For you say, ‘What advantage will it be to me? How am I better off than if I had sinned?’
Job 35:4 I will answer you and your friends with you.
Job 35:5 Look at the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds, which are higher than you.
Job 35:6 If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him? And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?
Job 35:7 If you are righteous, what do you give to him? Or what does he receive from your hand?
Job 35:8 Your wickedness concerns a man like yourself, and your righteousness a son of man.
Job 35:9 “Because of the multitude of oppressions people cry out; they call for help because of the arm of the mighty.
Job 35:10 But none says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,
Job 35:11 who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?’
Job 35:12 There they cry out, but he does not answer, because of the pride of evil men.
Job 35:13 Surely God will not hear an empty cry, nor will the Almighty regard it.
Job 35:14 How much less when you say that you do not see him, that the case is before him, and you are waiting for him.
Job 35:15 And now, because his anger does not punish, and he does not fully recognize transgression,
Job 35:16 Job opens his mouth in empty talk; he multiplies words without knowledge.”
Job 36:1 And Elihu continued and said:
Job 36:2 “Bear with me a little, and I will show you, for I have yet something to say on God's behalf.
Job 36:3 I will get my knowledge from afar and ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
Job 36:4 For truly my words are not false; one who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
Job 36:5 “Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any; he is mighty in strength of understanding.
Job 36:6 He does not keep the wicked alive, but gives the afflicted their right.
Job 36:7 He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne he sets them forever, and they are exalted.
Job 36:8 And if they are bound in chains and caught in the cords of affliction,
Job 36:9 then he declares to them their work and their transgressions, that they were behaving arrogantly.
Job 36:10 He opens their ears to instruction and commands that they return from iniquity.
Job 36:11 If they listen and serve him, they complete their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasantness.
Job 36:12 But if they do not listen, they perish by the sword and die without knowledge.
Job 36:13 “The godless in heart cherish anger; they do not cry for help when he binds them.
Job 36:14 They die in youth, and their life ends among the cult prostitutes.
Job 36:15 He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear by adversity.
Job 36:16 He also allured you out of distress into a broad place where there was no cramping, and what was set on your table was full of fatness.
Job 36:17 “But you are full of the judgment on the wicked; judgment and justice seize you.
Job 36:18 Beware lest wrath entice you into scoffing, and let not the greatness of the ransom turn you aside.
Job 36:19 Will your cry avail to keep you from distress, or all the force of your strength?
Job 36:20 Do not long for the night, when peoples vanish in their place.
Job 36:21 Take care, do not turn to iniquity, for this you have chosen rather than affliction.
Job 36:22 Behold, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him?
Job 36:23 Who has prescribed for him his way, or who can say, ‘You have done wrong’?
Job 36:24 “Remember to exalt his work, of which men have sung.
Job 36:25 All mankind has looked upon it; man beholds it from afar.
Job 36:26 Behold, God is great, and we know him not; the number of his years is unsearchable.
Job 36:27 For he draws up the drops of water; they distill his mist in rain,
Job 36:28 which the skies pour down and drop on mankind abundantly.
Job 36:29 Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunder of his pavilion?
Job 36:30 Behold, he scatters his lightning about him and covers the bottom of the sea.
Job 36:31 For by these he judges peoples; he gives food in abundance.
Job 36:32 He covers his hands with lightning and commands it to strike the mark.
Job 36:33 Its crashing declares his presence; the cattle also declare that he rises.
Job 37:1 “At this also my heart trembles and leaps out of its place.
Job 37:2 Keep listening to the thunder of his voice and the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
Job 37:3 Under the whole heaven he lets it go, and his lightning to the corners of the earth.
Job 37:4 After it his voice roars; he thunders with his majestic voice and does not restrain the lightnings when his voice is heard.
Job 37:5 God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend.
Job 37:6 For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the shower and the downpour of his might,
Job 37:7 ‘Be stopped, that all mankind may know his work.’
Job 37:8 Then the beasts go into their lairs and remain in their dens.
Job 37:9 From its chamber comes the whirlwind, and cold from the scattering winds.
Job 37:10 By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast.
Job 37:11 He loads the thick cloud with moisture; the cloud scatters his lightning.
Job 37:12 It turns around and around by his guidance, to accomplish all that he commands it on the face of the habitable world.
Job 37:13 Whether for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen.
Job 37:14 “Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God.
Job 37:15 Do you know how God lays his command upon them and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?
Job 37:16 Do you know the balancing of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge,
Job 37:17 you whose garments are hot when the earth is still because of the south wind?
Job 37:18 Can you, like him, spread out the skies, hard as a cast metal mirror?
Job 37:19 Teach us what we shall say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of darkness.
Job 37:20 Shall it be told him that I would speak? Has a man wished that he would be swallowed up?
Job 37:21 “And now no one looks on the light when it is bright in the skies, but the wind has passed and cleared them.
Job 37:22 Out of the north comes golden splendor; God is clothed with awesome majesty.
Job 37:23 The Almighty—we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate.
Job 37:24 Therefore men fear him. He does not regard any who are wise of heart.”