God is Greater Than Man
By Marsha Iddings
Job 33:12
Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
Job had just endured the speeches of his three friends for why he was suffering. Now Elihu rises to the occasion. He spends the first part of his speech bragging about how righteous he is and how wonderful his speech will be. He says, "My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly." Then he accuses Job of self-righteousness and tells him, "Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters." (Job 33:12-13) There is truth in what Elihu says about God. However, his timing and self-righteous attitude are not commendable. How often do we point the accusing finger at others when we are guilty of the same sin?
Or perhaps we bring out some truth about God to a hurting person at an inappropriate time when they are not ready to hear it, causing more pain and suffering for them. We need to be careful that we are sensitive to when it is appropriate to speak and when it is not.
However, Elihu is right. God is greater than man. God is not accountable to us for how He works and we should not strive against Him. We should rather bow in submission to His Providence in our lives. But I think the important thing to remember is that we don't bow in blind submission to God simply because He is greater than we are. Job bowed in submission to God because he knew God's character. We must know the character of the One we submit to. We submit because He alone is worthy. His character is worthy and so we bow to Him. Job said, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him...For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me...But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." (Job 13:15;
God is greater than man and His character is worthy of our humble submission to Him. May we learn even as we go through the fires of refinement that we can trust Him because He is greater than us and worthy of our trust.
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