The Book of Job primarily focuses on the conversations between Job and his three friends. The content of many of their speeches seems to lack the expected wisdom until a younger man named Elihu takes the opportunity to speak. His words were packed with wisdom. One of the areas he addressed concerned giving flattering titles to men. Elihu declared that it was sinful to give men flattering titles and that he knew better than to do so. Keep in mind that flattery is based upon deceit and is never favourable. By refusing to give flattering titles to men, Elihu chose not to say anything concerning others simply to gain an advantage for himself. Elihu knew that God would bring this type of flattery into judgment.
The apostle Paul, through the leading of the Holy Ghost, made his way through Paphos preaching God's word. While in that country, Paul faced great resistance especially from the likes of a false prophet named Bar-jesus. Yet, in the midst of this chaos, the Bible mentions a prudent man named Sergius Paulus, the deputy of the country. He desired to hear the message preached by God's man. Sergius Paulus wanted to hear the truth because a prudent man desires to hear it no matter the opposition and the attempts to silence the words of God. Unfortunately, there seem to be many more people like the false prophet today. They want little or nothing to do with the word of God. Yet, a prudent man, whether he agrees or disagrees with what he hears, will desire to hear the words of God. He then ponders those words as he makes his decisions concerning his daily life and eternal destination.
