“But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night,” Job 35:10.

If our words were to be closely scrutinised what dreadful and foolish utterances we would be found guilty of. Few of us ever give thought to the logical conclusions that stem from our words and would be amazed and dismayed if they were spelt out.

That is what Elihu is doing here to some of Job’s statements. He charges Job with the awful sin of claiming that he is more righteous than God. That is done by us more often than may be supposed. It is a sin of which we are all guilty. Elihu shows Job that when he complained of the severity of God’s dealings with him, he was in fact saying that he was more righteous than God. He had been faithful to God yet God had dealt with Him harshly. This was the import of his words in 9:30-31.

Elihu shows also, that Job was wrong to say that the oppressed cry unto God and He does not appear to come to their aid. This seems to be a reference to 24:12. This is a serious reflection upon God’s justice. In truth, Elihu says, when the oppressed cry, it is not to God, verse 10. In Hosea 7:14 we see that the howling of the oppressed is not to be confused with a crying unto God. God hears the cry of those that seek Him, Exodus 2:23-24; James 5:4. If all the complaints of men were genuine prayers then would not those places renowned for their misery be, in fact, the holiest places on earth? The truth is, those who have often the most to complain about are also the most prayerless and wretched. I think of the misery of Africa, of South America, of Bosnia and of many other places. How prayerless they are in spite their undoubted oppression. Men and woman, it is not trouble that teaches our hearts to pray but the grace of God. We will, by nature seek to self and our fellow man before we would ever seek unto the Lord.

Let us not be unjust to God. Let us see that much that passes in our eyes as prayer is no such thing. “Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it,” verse 13. When we read of Moses “that he spake unadvisedly with his lips,” Psalms 106:33, and here in verse 16, that, “therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge,” we should keep a guard on our lips lest we sin against the Almighty.

Elihu is here giving reasons why the oppressed ought to seek the Lord.

1). He is their maker. None will know better how to aid us nor will be more inclined to do, than the One Who made us.

2). He it is Who will give us knowledge above that of the brute beast. Under His instruction we may expect to be raised out of oppression, above the level of the beast. How dismal is the lot of fallen sinful man. “So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter,” Ecclesiastes 4:1. Under God’s instruction, sinners will enter into rest. “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name,” John 20:31.

But the reason why the oppressed ought to seek the Lord that I wish to concentrate upon is that stated in the centre of the text. God giveth songs in the night.

I. THERE IS NO OTHER SOURCE OF SINGING THAN THE LORD

As the prodigal learned that his father’s house was the only place of true merry-making, so let all learn that only God can make us sing.

1. Man lost his song through sin. I believe that man was created to sing. Not all can now sing but both Adam and Eve, in their perfection could sing. But sin cost them their song. The invention of musical instruments (Gen 4:21) was man seeking by his own efforts the song he had lost.

2. Man can only regain the song through Christ. “And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God,” Psalm 40:3. It is only after we are lifted out of the pit and place on the rock that we begin to sing. Notice that this song is not learned but put in our mouths by the Lord. (Put = Gen 1:17, set.) This the same word as give in our text. What old things that new song replaces!

3. It is a song that is ever new. It never ceases to be new. Each convert adds a new verse and so renews the song. No matter how often we sing it, it is fresh.

II. GOD’S SONG IS FOR EVERY BELIEVER AND EVERY OCCASION

By that I mean, that this song is so versatile that it will suit all occasions and all people. Indeed, in our text it is call songs, plural.

1. We can sing it in the night. Acts 16:25.

2. We can sing it individually. Psalm 40:3. It may be sung as a solo. It will suit a lively tune or a sombre tune.

3. We can sing it collectively. Psalm 149:1-2. It makes a wonderful choir piece. What harmonies are produced as each believer sings their part!

4. It will be the song of the saints upon Christ’s return. Isaiah 42:10-14. It is so much our song that we shall rise from the grave singing it, Isaiah 26:19.

5. It will be Israel’s song as she is regathered. Psalm 96:1, 10; 98:1-9; Isaiah 12.

6. It will be our song throughout eternity. Rev 5:9, 14:3.