Despite my efforts yesterday to shoot down what Job’s friend, Elihu, gave Job in the way of advice, today’s reading carries an important reminder that even ill-intentioned advice can carry nuggets of truth.  Though he was arrogant in his approach, Elihu did say some things about God that were worth considering.

For instance, God is majestic.  Who else is like Him?  Who can cause a storm to bring thunder and lightning, and who can make snow fall from the sky?  There is none like God, and as was mentioned a few days ago, the beginning of wisdom comes with a recognition of who God is.  

If I were in Job’s shoes, it would be easy to think, “Elihu is young and stupid.  He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”  The humble person, however, responds by asking what truth can be found from the criticisms that are brought, and he or she will recognize that sometimes God teaches us through the most unlikely people.  Part of maturity is learning to separate the wheat from the chaff.