SOAP 11/09/2014; Job 34:2-4

Today's reading: Job 34; 1 Corinthians 4, 5, 6


S) "¹ Then Elihu continued and said,

² 'Hear my words, you wise men,
And listen to me, you who know.
³ 'For the ear tests words
As the palate tastes food.
⁴ 'Let us choose for ourselves what is right;
Let us know among ourselves what is good.'"

Job 34:2-4 (NASB)

O) Elihu invited the judgment of the older men who were with him, by asking them to test his words (and the words of Job himself). These men were all well respected, including Job, for their wisdom and sound judgment. They knew folly when they saw it, and knew wisdom when they heard it. Elihu knew that his age could work against him as he discussed this, unless he could get the men to focus on what he was actually saying, instead of focusing on him. The most intriguing part of this passage, to me, is verse 3.

A)  Some people are gifted with a very refined palate, able to discern and distinguish very subtle differences in taste. I am not one of those people. However, our taste palate is also developed to a degree. When I was young, my dad worked in a meat department of a grocery store. Occasionally, he would bring home a bucket of crab. I liked it, but my mom loved that crab. When my parents split up, my mom's crab boat was gone, and we also became very poor. My mom, still desiring crab, would buy imitation crab. I was roughly 10, so my exposures to real crab were few and far between. By the time I was an adult, I had quite the taste for imitation crab. When I met Kristin, she was fairly appalled at my taste for it, mostly because she said it tasted nothing like crab. I was in some disbelief, but my memory of real crab was faint. Then we went out to eat and I had real crab again. Then I realized that I had no idea I was so deceived. I had lost the taste of authentic crab, and had settled for something much less, eventually becoming convinced it was just as good. This is exactly how it is when we are exposed to truths and lies. The absolute best way to develop a taste for wisdom and truth, is to consistently be fed by the Word of God. When I am steadily exposing myself to absolute truth, then it is much easier for me to recognize other truth and/or wisdom that I hear, and I will more readily recognize lies/folly, because my spiritual "taste" for truth and wisdom becomes a delicate palate.

P) Father, thank You for establishing Your words of truth. I am given a tremendous tool and weapon, in the Bible. Let me read it with a reverence and fear, that remembers the awesome nature of Your words of truth and wisdom. As I study Your words each day, let me develop a "taste" for wisdom and truth, that cannot be deceived. I want to recognize wisdom and truth, and the things that align with Your Word, without having to second-guess motives or origins. Help me be sensitive and responsive to the Holy Spirit, so that Your words are alive in my heart and in my ears. Do not let me be deceived, and let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.