ROOTED - Friday, April 10, 2026
Job 34:24-26
24 He shatters the mighty without investigation
and sets others in their place.
25 Thus, knowing their works,
he overturns them in the night, and they are
crushed.
26 He strikes them for their wickedness
in a place for all to see,
Reflection: Applying Wisdom Literature
Written By: Pastor Jesse Caro
Job’s older friends had the opportunity to
speak, and Job responded. Now, in the last few chapters, Elihu (a young man,
younger than Job and his other friends) has spoken up. He has done the right
thing to give his elders the opportunity to speak, and now it is his turn. Now,
reading Elihu’s counsel, it is clear that, for a young man, he has good
insight. He says many things that are true of God. However, it does bring up a
caution as to how we (as readers) should interpret and apply “wisdom literature.”
Wisdom literature includes Job, Psalms, Proverbs, etc. They are books that give
advice, often in poetic form.
In chapter 34, Elihu makes some statements about God and the
wicked: “Thus, knowing their works, he overturns them in the night, and
they are crushed.” Now, we would be foolish to not notice that God does know the
works of the wicked and often punishes them. However, this is not always true.
It is a principle, but not a hard and fast rule. God is also patient and
merciful, even to the wicked (we should all be glad that he is). We fall into a
trap when we take the Proverbs, for example, as always true. Wisdom literature
does not say what always is but expresses for us principles to live by… general
wisdom. Good advice! Part of the danger in interpreting Job is a misapplication
of wisdom literature. The friends assert things as though they have it all
figured out. They (to say it as I did a few days ago) place God “in a box” of
rules (ie, “God always acts like this…”). However, we should read wisdom
literature as good “rules of thumb” not “hard and fast rules.” When we misread
wisdom literature, we run the risk of misunderstanding the nature of God. When
we do that, we run the risk receiving some correction from God.
Lord, guide us as we read and study wisdom literature, such that
we do not misunderstand your nature and misapply your Holy Word.