How does Job 5:1 challenge us to seek God's wisdom over man's advice? Scripture Focus “Call out if you please, but who will answer? To which of the holy ones will you turn?” (Job 5:1) Immediate Setting • Eliphaz addresses a suffering Job, implying that even the angels (“holy ones”) cannot be counted on to respond apart from God’s will. • The question is rhetorical—Eliphaz challenges Job to see that human or angelic help is powerless compared with the LORD’s direct intervention. Limits of Human Counsel • Human advice is finite and fallible (Proverbs 14:12). • Even spiritual beings act only under God’s authority (Psalm 103:20). • Relying chiefly on people invites disappointment (Jeremiah 17:5). • God later rebukes Eliphaz and the friends for misrepresenting Him (Job 42:7-9), underscoring that well-intentioned counsel can still miss the truth. Why God’s Wisdom Surpasses All • God’s understanding is limitless (Isaiah 40:28). • His Word equips “for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • Trusting Him brings sure footing: “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man” (Psalm 118:8). • He invites us to ask for wisdom directly: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God… and it will be given” (James 1:5). Practical Ways to Seek God’s Wisdom First • Begin every decision with Bible study, letting Scripture set the boundaries for counsel you receive. • Measure all advice—whether from friends, experts, or culture—against clear biblical teaching (Acts 17:11). • Pray specifically for discernment before accepting guidance (Philippians 1:9-10). • Surround yourself with counselors who likewise submit to God’s Word (Proverbs 13:20). • Stay teachable, but hold fast where Scripture speaks plainly (Proverbs 30:5-6). Encouragement from Job’s Outcome • Job brings his questions directly to God (Job 13:3), demonstrating that the LORD welcomes honest seeking. • In the end, God alone vindicates and restores (Job 42:10-17), proving the sufficiency of divine wisdom over every human opinion. |
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