Can a man be of benefit to God?
September 06, 2017
"Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
“'Can a man be of benefit to God?
Can even a wise person benefit him?
What pleasure would it give the Almighty if you were righteous?
What would he gain if your ways were blameless?'"
Job 22:1-3
It is a good question. He answers it from a pretty limited perspective, but this is more than the external voices confronting Job.
They also represent all the voices inside of him, inside of each of us in every existential crisis we face.
In our transitions, troubles, faith-shakes, life upheavals, and doubting times, one of the questions we ask is about our own usefulness, to God, to ourselves, to the planet, and to history.
Am I here for any reason at all? Is there any significance to my existence?
These are the questions and you cannot skip the questions in the eager desire to resolve them with easy answers.
Job is not for the faint-of-heart.