I Have Sinned, But I Will Sin No More

“Why don’t people say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I will sin no more’? Or ‘I don’t know what evil I have done—tell me. If I have done wrong, I will stop at once’? [Job 34.31-32]

The words of young Elihu ask the question of questions even today.

“Why don’t people say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I will sin no more’?

If only people would read the entirety of the story of Job without trying to build theology and doctrine from only the first couple of chapters of the book!

Elihu very clearly defines Job's error. That error was pride. "Pride" answers the question above.

People do not want to repent. People do not want to acknowledge the obvious reason for punishment in their lives. People do not want to hear and understand that sin is the reason for curses.

Sometimes we are indeed ignorant. But, most of the time we are completely satisfied to stay ignorant ...and cursed. So satisfied are we in our curses that we have justified them with unsupported religious ideas that 'God would lovingly put curses on us without reason.' And to preempt any disagreement, we justify it all by claiming God's sovereignty.

Even though Elihu wasn't noted as one of Job's friends, he was right. He was a youngster compared to Job and his three friends, and he was right in remaining silent while they all spewed their nonsense. But when they finally shut up, Elihu spoke. And speak he did!

If Elihu's little speech was the end of it, the book would be complete. However, Elihu's discourse was not the end of it! God wanted to be sure we REALLY understand what Job's story is all about! In the end, God confirms what Elihu said and Job gets a severe rebuke - severe enough that Job finally breaks from his pride and repents.

I guess we wouldn't have had the book of Job if Job had simply repented from the beginning.

Bottom line: Repent and stay repentant! (Oh, and try shutting up...)

Father, help me to see the value of quiet repentance...