Opinions - judgments, viewpoints, or statements that are not conclusive

Job’s “friends”, Zophar the Naamathite, Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite had already given Job their opinions. Then Elihu the Buzite shared his opinion.

Job 32:17 "...I too will answer my share, I also will tell my opinion...”

Job 33:3 "...My words are from the uprightness of my heart, And my lips speak knowledge sincerely...”

Job 34:36 “...Job ought to be tried to the limit, Because he answers like wicked men...”

Opinion? Sincere? Right conclusion?

The friends weren’t seeking God’s counsel. They were offering opinions. God finally spoke, 38 chapters into the book of Job, and He spoke to Job, who was seeking an audience with God.

Job 38:1-2 “...Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, "Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge?...”

God’s impression of the opinions of Job and his friends?

We expect God to act according to our current understanding of heaven and earth. We have opinions!

Psalm 95:9-10 "...When your fathers tested Me, They tried Me, though they had seen My work. "For forty years I loathed that generation, And said they are a people who err in their heart, And they do not know My ways...”

Isaiah 55:8 "...For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD...”

Do we know His thoughts and ways?

It’s important that we get beyond opinions and stand in truth.

Isaiah 55:2-3 "...Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance. "Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you...”

Romans 12:2 “...And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect...”

Are we living proof of God’s good, acceptable, perfect will? How can education fall short of transformation?

God gives His Word to us. Jesus made it clear how important it (He) is.

Matthew 4:4 “...But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'...”

Matthew 12:35-37 "...The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned..."

Do we have opinions about His Words? Do we Auto-Correct His Words?

Opinions are a starting point. Having an opinion is not a problem. The problem starts when opinions become dogma (a set of principles laid down as incontrovertibly true) and the ongoing voice of God is replaced with preconceived notions.

Luke 18:7-8 “...now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? "I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?..."

Can there be justice in the absence of relationship with the Creator?

What would God say about the opinions we currently hold, and express?