Another friend of Job chimed in on Job’s plight. Elihu took a different approach than Job’s three other friends. Elihu wasn’t concerned with the possibility of Job’s past sins. Rather, he was concerned with Job’s present attitude. Elihu made a striking statement in his assessment of Job’s conversation with his three friends. Elihu said, “But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding” (Job 32:8).
The Lord formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Gen. 2:7). God endowed humanity with spirit. Additionally, from the breath of God came the Scriptures: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV).
The Bible is God’s infallible Word. Scripture is infallible in that the original manuscripts contain no errors. “The law of the Lord is perfect” (Ps. 19:7). Scripture is infallible because its Author is infallible. Scribes and copiers have made mistakes in transcribing the Scriptures, but that does not negate the infallibility of Scripture.
The Bible is not only infallible it is also inerrant. “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him” (Pro. 30:5). God, who is true, has given us His Word that is true. We can trust in the truthfulness of Scripture because the Author is trustworthy (Isa. 65:16, Jer. 10:10, John 3:33, 17:3, 1 John 5:20). Jesus boldly declared, “thy word is truth” (John 17:17).
Therefore, Scripture is the God-breathed written Word, which was penned by human men who were moved upon and inspired by the Spirit of God. Furthermore, the Word of God is Jesus Christ who was manifested in flesh to reveal God the Father, and to redeem sinful humanity from the eternal consequences of sin (John 1:1-2,14). Our very lives depend and live upon this written Word of God (Matt. 4:4). The Word of God is the written form of words that has been given to reveal God’s character, intent, and revelation. It is through the written Word that we can know God’s plan for redemption.
Beloved, God is the source of our physical life, and He has inspired the Word of God to give us spiritual life.