Job 33:5-7
Verse 6 I am the same as you in God’s sight; I too am a piece of clay.
Elihu continued his preamble with a statement which may have come as a surprise for his listeners, especially Job. While the other men had been trying to convince Job he had sinned, Elihu was saying he found himself in the same position as the afflicted man. The young man tells Job they were viewed as equals in God’s eyes.
This being equal in God’s sight had more to do with their hearts than it did about the type of people they were. These men both seemed more righteous than the other men involved in the scene and yet they were still both human. Elilhu understood this when he talked about the clay.
Clay doesn’t make itself into something but requires the hands of a potter. This was one of the tools Elihu was going to use to help Job remember life isn’t all about the person but about God. Job was living as holy as he could but that didn’t mean he was molding his own life. Living a holy life was just proof that he was allowing the Potter to shape his life.
When a potter throws clay on his wheel he sets the wheel to spinning and starts pressing to begin the molding process. It is this image Elihu seemed to understand. The young man knew the real shaping in our lives happens when things seem to be spinning out of control and we are pushed and pinched. It is the hard movements which make the beautiful pots.
Throughout this process it is the potter who is deciding which shape it is to take and it is the potter who is making the moves to make it happen. The clay’s role is submitting to the creator’s will and design, allowing them to do the needed moves for the desired outcome. When we allow God to mold us and shape us it may require some firm shaping through the tight spots in life or pushes which feel like they are going to undo us.
After talking about being pieces of clay Elihu says the one thing meant to truly calm the man who had been afflicted, “I’m not trying to be hard on you.” Elihu wasn’t there to make a judgment against Job, he was there to help him remember God’s role in the whole situation.
Making It Personal
How willing are you for God to do the needed pushing and shaping in your life? Do you willingly accept His work in your life? Where do you need to bend to His will today?
Making It Personal Kids
Have you ever made something out of clay or modeling dough? How hard is it to make it what you want it to be? Do you think Jesus finds it hard to make you what He wants you to be?
Closing Prayer
Father, we are sorry we aren’t always as moldable as You need us to be. Give us the courage we need to surrender to Your will and shaping. In Jesus’ name, amen.