Can we help God?

Can we help God?

Psalms 16:2 I said to the LORD, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.”

Job 22:2-3

 2 Can a person do anything to help God? Can even a wise person be helpful to him?

 3 Is it any advantage to the Almighty if you are righteous? Would it be any gain to him if you were perfect?

Cars 2 is a 2011 American computer-animated film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. It is the sequel to Cars the 2006 computer-animated sports comedy film. It grossed $562 million worldwide at the box office. It was the tenth highest-grossing film of 2011.

The movie remarkably and delightfully depicts how children think and act when they play. You probably remember vroom-vroom, boom, screech, crash, etc. Race car Lightning McQueen and tow truck Mater are pit buddies. They compete in the World Grand Prix in Japan, Italy, and other countries of Europe.

Lightning McQueen loses a big race because of Mater. When McQueen gets back to his pit, he is very angry with Mater. Mater is very apologetic. Mater wants to help McQueen make it right.

McQueen retorted, “I don’t need your help! I don’t want your help!”

Is that way that the Father thinks about us? Absolutely not!

Turn it around, do we think that we can help God out? Are there times when we think our plans are better than His plan? Do we really think that somehow or another the all-knowing eternal God makes mistakes?

Consider Job.

Job’s friend, Eliphaz, accuses Job of sinful, self-righteous pride. For Eliphaz, the only logical explanation for Job’s suffering is sinful behavior. Eliphaz condemns Job saying “Is it because you’re so pious that he accuses you and brings judgment against you? No, it’s because of your wickedness! There’s no limit to your sins” (Job 22:4-5).

Based upon his assumption, Eliphaz picks random iniquities out of the air with which to charge Job. It is so easy to jump to totally false conclusions when we start with inaccurate assumptions.

The Father sets matters straight. He clearly states the facts in the case.

Job 1:8 “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless – a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”

Does Job in any way think that his conduct is our character or somehow beneficial to the Father? Does Job think that the Father needs his help? Eliphaz accuses Job of exactly that.

Job 22:2-3

 2 Can a person do anything to help God? Can even a wise person be helpful to him?

 3 Is it any advantage to the Almighty if you are righteous?

Recall that at this point in the story. Job has no idea why terrible things are occurring. He never read the first chapter of the book. Job had not written the book of Job yet. It provides a backstory that explains what is happening and why.

Satan challenges the Father God. He asserts the only reason that people are loyal and devoted to Him is that the Father treats them so well. People would turn away from the Father if that were to cease.

Job 1:11 But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!

It was not the sin of Job that set the wheels turning. It was a false accusation of Satan. The Father knew the fiber of His servant Job. The Father was certain that Job could and would endure and overcome anything that Satan could throw him, within the limits that the Father established. Ultimately, the book of Job is a vindication of Job’s character and a demonstration of the Father’s confidence and faithfulness in him.

REFLECT & PRAY

Many people have an unfortunate, warped view of God. Rather than seeing the Father as a gentle, caring protector and shepherd, they see Him as a harsh, vindictive, villainous tormentor. So sad!

Father thank You that You were not petty or vindictive. Thank You that You take pleasure in those that walk with You.

INSIGHT

Eliphaz has a warped understanding of the Father God. He does not conceive of Him as being kind, gracious, and tenderhearted. Rather his God concept is one of the stern, strict, punitive judge. His God searches for errant human beings to judge and punish. “These verses reveal Eliphaz’s very deficient concept of God. To him, God did not delight in fellowship with man or in blessing man. His only reason for intervening in life was to punish people when they misbehaved” (Constable).

Job 22:3 Is it any advantage to the Almighty if you are righteous? Would it be any gain to him if you were perfect?

Eliphaz is asks pointed, rhetorical questions the answer to which is, none.

The Hebrew term translated as pleasure, advantage, delight, or special benefit is chephets. Chephets connotes a strong emotional connection. The basic meaning is to feel great favor, happiness, joy, or delight with someone or something. The Hebrew term translated gain or profit is betsa’. Betsa’ means to receive personal advantage from something or someone.

Eliphaz is stating no one through their actions can benefit or help the Father. His God is distant, cold, and depersonalized. His God simply cares not about people, their struggles, or their righteousness.

I can see Eliphaz snarling a bit as he spews out his biting sarcasm. Job you don’t really think that God brings tragedy on guilt-free, righteous people? Give me a break!

Job 22:4 Is it because you’re so pious that he accuses you and brings judgment against you?

The logic is clear and straightforward. “Courts don’t try people for their righteousness but for their lawlessness! Therefore, since God has sent terrible judgments upon Job, he must be guilty of sin” (Wiersbe). But Eliphaz’s logic is all wrong. It proceeded from a faulty presupposition.

While the Father does not need people, but He does take great delight in them. The Father enjoys people.

Zephaniah 3:17 He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

The Father gets so excited about children of the King that He takes great delight and celebrates with joyful singing. Visualize the Father excitedly loving on you.

The beginning of the book of Job provides understanding. Recall that the Father was so impressed with Job’s character and integrity that He knew Job would triumph over the struggles that would soon come upon him.

“Job’s character and conduct were important to God, for God was using Job to silence the devil. Neither Job nor his three friends knew God’s hidden plan, but Job had faith to believe that God was achieving some purpose in his life and would one day vindicate him. Furthermore, the character and behavior of God’s people are important to the Lord because His people bring Him either joy or sorrow (1 Thessalonians 4:1; Hebrews 11:5; Genesis 6:5-6). He is not a passive, distant God who does not identify with His people but the God who delights in them as they delight in Him (Psalms 18:19; Hebrews 4:14-16)” (Wiersbe).

The omnipotent Father God does not require any assistance from children of the King. But we do give Him great pleasure. Should we not desire to follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ?

John 8:29 For I always do what pleases Him.

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