Job 32:6 Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered,
“I am young, and you are very old;
Therefore I held back, and didn’t dare show you my opinion.
7 I said, ‘Days should speak,
and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’
8 But there is a spirit in man,
and the Spirit of the Almighty gives them understanding.
9 It is not the great who are wise,
nor the aged who understand justice.
10 Therefore I said, ‘Listen to me;
I also will show my opinion.’
11 “Behold, I waited for your words,
and I listened for your reasoning,
while you searched out what to say.
12 Yes, I gave you my full attention,
but there was no one who convinced Job,
or who answered his words, among you.
13 Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom.
God may refute him, not man;’
14 for he has not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.
15 “They are amazed. They answer no more.
They don’t have a word to say.
16 Shall I wait, because they don’t speak,
because they stand still, and answer no more?
17 I also will answer my part,
and I also will show my opinion.
18 For I am full of words.
The spirit within me constrains me.
19 Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent;
like new wineskins it is ready to burst.
20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed.
I will open my lips and answer.
21 Please don’t let me respect any man’s person,
neither will I give flattering titles to any man.
22 For I don’t know how to give flattering titles,
or else my Maker would soon take me away.
Elihu is the prototype of the angry young man. He was angry with Job because he justified himself rather than God. v.2 He was angry at Job’s friends because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. v.3 Also, we will quickly learn that Elihu is prideful, full of himself, Romans 12:3, and full of words! It takes him 24 verses to basically say, “Hey, guys, I’m going to speak now!”
And what does he say?
Job 33:1 “However, Job, please hear my speech,
and listen to all my words.
2 See now, I have opened my mouth.
My tongue has spoken in my mouth.
3 My words will utter the uprightness of my heart.
That which my lips know they will speak sincerely.
4 The Spirit of God has made me,
and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5 If you can, answer me.
Set your words in order before me, and stand up.
6 Behold, I am toward God even as you are.
I am also formed out of the clay.
7 Behold, my terror will not make you afraid,
neither will my pressure be heavy on you.
8 “Surely you have spoken in my hearing,
I have heard the voice of your words, saying,
9 ‘I am clean, without disobedience.
I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.
10 Behold, he finds occasions against me.
He counts me for his enemy.
11 He puts my feet in the stocks.
He marks all my paths.’
12 “Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just,
for God is greater than man.
13 Why do you strive against him,
because he doesn’t give account of any of his matters?
14 For God speaks once,
yes twice, though man pays no attention.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night,
when deep sleep falls on men,
in slumbering on the bed;
16 Then he opens the ears of men,
and seals their instruction,
17 that he may withdraw man from his purpose,
and hide pride from man.
18 He keeps back his soul from the pit,
and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 “He is chastened also with pain on his bed,
with continual strife in his bones,
20 so that his life abhors bread,
and his soul dainty food.
21 His flesh is so consumed away that it can’t be seen.
His bones that were not seen stick out.
22 Yes, his soul draws near to the pit,
and his life to the destroyers.
23 “If there is beside him a messenger,
a mediator, one among a thousand,
to show to man what is right for him;
24 then God is gracious to him, and says,
‘Deliver him from going down to the pit,
I have found a ransom.’
25 His flesh will be fresher than a child’s.
He returns to the days of his youth.
26 He prays to God, and he is favorable to him,
so that he sees his face with joy.
He restores to man his righteousness.
27 He sings before men, and says,
‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right,
and it didn’t profit me.
28 He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit.
My life will see the light.’
29 “Behold, God does all these things,
twice, yes three times, with a man,
30 to bring back his soul from the pit,
that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.
31 Mark well, Job, and listen to me.
Hold your peace, and I will speak.
32 If you have anything to say, answer me.
Speak, for I desire to justify you.
33 If not, listen to me.
Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.”
Elihu starts off on the wrong foot by saying:
I have heard the voice of your words, saying, ‘I am clean, without disobedience.
I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.’ v. 8-9
Is that true? Did Job actually ever say that he was without disobedience and iniquity?
No, he had not said those things. To the contrary, Job knowing that he was a fallen sinful man said:
Why do you not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity? Job 7:21
Truly I know it is so, how can a man be righteous before God? Job 9:2
You make me inherit the iniquities of my youth. Job 13:26
Job knew that he had transgressions in his life. Job never claimed blanket innocence as Elihu asserted. Rather he claimed that he was innocent of the sins that his friends were accusing him of and he claimed that there was no particular sin that God was punishing him for. And, of course, we learned from God’s own mouth, Job…is blameless and upright, Job 1:8, so we know this to be true.
Have you ever been in a position where people twisted your words?
It is a common technique used to make the innocent appear to be guilty.
In the Garden of Eden Satan began his temptation of Eve by twisting God’s words.
Did God really say? Genesis 3:1
Beware of people who try to trap you by twisting your words.
Next Elihu begins building his main argument. He believes that God has been speaking to Job all along but that Job was too obtuse to understand. Job didn’t pay attention.
For God speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention.
In a dream, in a vision of the night…v.14-15
And what did Elihu think that God was saying to Job?
God was warning Job through his suffering that he needed a Mediator, a Redeemer, to deliver him from going down to the pit.
If there is beside him a messenger, a mediator, one among a thousand,
to show to man what is right for him;
then God is gracious to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down to the pit,
I have found a ransom.’ v.23-24
Elihu’s main thesis is that God sends suffering for redemptive purposes. God sends suffering so that we will wake up. God sends suffering to get our attention so that we will stop and consider him.
In this, Elihu was at least partially correct but for the wrong reasons. It is true that God does sometimes get our attention through discipline. Hebrews 12:5 But, again, in this case, Job had not sinned as Elihu imagined. However, like all of mankind, Job did need a mediator. So, in this, Elihu was speaking prophetically, although he did not know it.
Everyone, Job included, needs a Mediator to show us what is right. We all need to be ransomed from condemnation in the pit. That is, we all need to be ransomed from hell. And thankfully God provided that ransom through Christ, who now stands before the throne as our Mediator.
The Son of Man, (Jesus Christ) came not to be served but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28
After saying this Elihu expects Job to confess his sin. Elihu challenges Job saying:
“If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you.” v.32
Not hearing anything from Job, Elihu continues to build his case.
“Listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.” v.33
Job 34:1 Moreover Elihu answered,
2 “Hear my words, you wise men.
Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.
3 For the ear tries words,
as the palate tastes food.
4 Let us choose for us that which is right.
Let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job has said, ‘I am righteous,
God has taken away my right:
6 Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar.
My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
7 What man is like Job,
who drinks scorn like water,
8 Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity,
and walks with wicked men?
9 For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing
that he should delight himself with God.’
10 “Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding:
far be it from God, that he should do wickedness,
from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
11 For the work of a man he will render to him,
and cause every man to find according to his ways.
12 Yes surely, God will not do wickedly,
neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
13 Who put him in charge of the earth?
Or who has appointed him over the whole world?
14 If he set his heart on himself,
if he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,
15 all flesh would perish together,
and man would turn again to dust.
16 “If now you have understanding, hear this.
Listen to the voice of my words.
17 Should even one who hates justice govern?
Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?—
18 Who says to a king, ‘Vile!’
or to nobles, ‘Wicked!’?
19 He doesn’t respect the persons of princes,
nor respect the rich more than the poor;
for they all are the work of his hands.
20 In a moment they die, even at midnight.
The people are shaken and pass away.
The mighty are taken away without a hand.
21 “For his eyes are on the ways of a man.
He sees all his goings.
22 There is no darkness, nor thick gloom,
where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For he doesn’t need to consider a man further,
that he should go before God in judgment.
24 He breaks mighty men in pieces in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place.
25 Therefore he takes knowledge of their works.
He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26 He strikes them as wicked men
in the open sight of others;
27 because they turned away from following him,
and wouldn’t pay attention to any of his ways,
28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him.
He heard the cry of the afflicted.
29 When he gives quietness, who then can condemn?
When he hides his face, who then can see him?
He is over a nation or a man alike,
30 that the godless man may not reign,
that there be no one to ensnare the people.
31 “For has any said to God,
‘I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.
32 Teach me that which I don’t see.
If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?
33 Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it?
For you must choose, and not I.
Therefore speak what you know.
34 Men of understanding will tell me,
yes, every wise man who hears me:
35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge.
His words are without wisdom.’
36 I wish that Job were tried to the end,
because of his answering like wicked men.
37 For he adds rebellion to his sin.
He claps his hands among us,
and multiplies his words against God.”
Elihu begins his second round of argument by doubling down again claiming that Job said: I am without transgression. v.6
He reasons that because:
1. Neither will the Almighty pervert justice. v.12
2. He breaks mighty men in pieces in ways past finding out. v.24
3. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
4. He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others. v.25-26
Can you follow Elihu’s reasoning?
1. Because God is always righteous and just, God will judge mighty men like Job.
2. Everyone can clearly see that Job is being judged.
3. That is why Job is suffering. That is why Job is being destroyed.
And to make matters even worse Elihu believes that Job is now adding rebellion to his sin v.37, by refusing to admit his sin.
Elihu was correct. Adding rebellion to sin is, of course, a common human reaction starting with Adam and Eve. They sinned, which was bad enough. But then they added to their sin by refusing to take responsibility. Eve blamed Satan. Adam blamed Eve and then cast blame ultimately at God for giving Eve to him in the first place. Genesis 3:12-13 We all scapegoat others to deflect from our rebellion. While adding rebellion to sin, lying about, and blaming others is the standard human excuse, Elihu was wrong in his accusation. Job had not sinned in the way Elihu thought, nor had Job added rebellion.
Job 35:1 Moreover Elihu answered,
2 “Do you think this to be your right,
or do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s,’
3 that you ask, ‘What advantage will it be to you?
What profit will I have, more than if I had sinned?’
4 I will answer you,
and your companions with you.
5 Look to the skies, and see.
See the skies, which are higher than you.
6 If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him?
If your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?
7 If you are righteous, what do you give him?
Or what does he receive from your hand?
8 Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are,
and your righteousness may profit a son of man.
9 “By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out.
They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.
10 But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker,
who gives songs in the night,
11 who teaches us more than the animals of the earth,
and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?’
12 There they cry out, but no one answers,
because of the pride of evil men.
13 Surely God will not hear an empty cry,
neither will the Almighty regard it.
14 How much less when you say you don’t see him.
The cause is before him, and you wait for him!
15 But now, because he has not visited in his anger,
neither does he greatly regard arrogance,
16 therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk,
and he multiplies words without knowledge.”
Elihu continues by accusing Job of being self-righteous.
Do you say: My righteousness is more than God’s? v.2
Once again Elihu misquotes Job, putting words in his mouth that he did not say.
Has anyone ever accused you of terrible thoughts or actions by misquoting and attributing to you things that you didn’t say? It is reported that Mark Twain once said: A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes. Before you know it you are put on defense, denying the accusation and trying to undue the damage that their lying misquote has done to your reputation, family, and livelihood.
Elihu says that because Job is self-righteous, because Job is too proud to admit to his sin, he will get no answer from God.
They cry out, but no one answers, because of the pride of evil men. v.12
Job can cry out to God all he wants but his prayers are nothing more than empty talk, multiplying words without knowledge. v.16
God will not answer rebels. Of course, if Elihu were correct we would all be in deep trouble because we are all rebels against our God.
Job 36:1 Elihu also continued, and said,
2 “Bear with me a little, and I will show you;
for I still have something to say on God’s behalf.
3 I will get my knowledge from afar,
and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
4 For truly my words are not false.
One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
5 “Behold, God is mighty, and doesn’t despise anyone.
He is mighty in strength of understanding.
6 He doesn’t preserve the life of the wicked,
but gives justice to the afflicted.
7 He doesn’t withdraw his eyes from the righteous,
but with kings on the throne,
he sets them forever, and they are exalted.
8 If they are bound in fetters,
and are taken in the cords of afflictions,
9 then he shows them their work,
and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.
10 He also opens their ears to instruction,
and commands that they return from iniquity.
11 If they listen and serve him,
they will spend their days in prosperity,
and their years in pleasures.
12 But if they don’t listen, they will perish by the sword;
they will die without knowledge.
13 “But those who are godless in heart lay up anger.
They don’t cry for help when he binds them.
14 They die in youth.
Their life perishes among the unclean.
15 He delivers the afflicted by their affliction,
and opens their ear in oppression.
16 Yes, he would have allured you out of distress,
into a wide place, where there is no restriction.
That which is set on your table would be full of fatness.
17 “But you are full of the judgment of the wicked.
Judgment and justice take hold of you.
18 Don’t let riches entice you to wrath,
neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside.
19 Would your wealth sustain you in distress,
or all the might of your strength?
20 Don’t desire the night,
when people are cut off in their place.
21 Take heed, don’t regard iniquity;
for you have chosen this rather than affliction.
22 Behold, God is exalted in his power.
Who is a teacher like him?
23 Who has prescribed his way for him?
Or who can say, ‘You have committed unrighteousness?’
24 “Remember that you magnify his work,
about which men have sung.
25 All men have looked on it.
Man sees it afar off.
26 Behold, God is great, and we don’t know him.
The number of his years is unsearchable.
27 For he draws up the drops of water,
which distill in rain from his vapor,
28 which the skies pour down
and which drop on man abundantly.
29 Yes, can any understand the spreading of the clouds, and the thunderings of his pavilion?
30 Behold, he spreads his light around him.
He covers the bottom of the sea.
31 For by these he judges the people.
He gives food in abundance.
32 He covers his hands with the lightning,
and commands it to strike the mark.
33 Its noise tells about him,
and the livestock also concerning the storm that comes up.
Here in chapter 36 Elihu, claiming to speak on God’s behalf v.2, restates his main thesis from chapter 33.
Suffering is curative to bring us back to God.
[God] delivers the afflicted by their affliction, and opens their ear in oppression. v.15
Elihu’s main thesis is that God sends suffering for redemptive purposes. God sends suffering so that we will wake up. God sends suffering to get our attention so that we will stop and consider him.
If they don’t listen, they will perish…they will die without knowledge. v.12
We must all be careful as to how we respond to illness and affliction. Of course Elihu is correct in his assessment. In the New Testament James warned his congregation:
Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:14-16
God does sometimes send affliction as a wake up-call so that we will confess our evil ways, return to him, and be healed. Elihu’s mistake is in assuming that God always acts in the same way. His mistake is in putting God into the box of his thesis.
Elihu closes chapter 36 by urging Job to consider the ways of God.
All men have looked on it. Man sees it afar off.
Behold, God is great, and we don’t know him. v.25-26
Elihu is correct. We all see God from afar. We can’t comprehend God’s greatness. We can’t fully understand God’s ways. We don’t know him. v.26
The Apostle Paul put it like this:
For now we see through a glass, darkly … 1 Corinthians 13:12
The irony here is that Elihu began this chapter by claiming to speak on God’s behalf because he had received knowledge from afar. v.3
Elihu ends this part of his argument by listing some of the ways, wonders, works and attributes of God, that are beyond our understanding. Things that are unsearchable v.26: the number of [God’s] years, the drops of water, the spreading of the clouds, thunder, lightning, and the bottom of the sea.
Even as Elihu is listing things that are unsearchable he continues to believe that he fully understands why God has afflicted Job. But God is neither punishing Job for sinning nor punishing him to prevent him from future sins. Like Job’s other friends, Elihu is dogmatic in using his false doctrine as a cudgel smacking Job down. His dogmatism blinds him from showing genuine compassion and love toward the suffering Job.
If I have the gift of prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2
Job was in need of compassion, support, and love, not cold dogmatism.
Job 37:1 “Yes, at this my heart trembles,
and is moved out of its place.
2 Hear, oh, hear the thunder of his voice,
the sound that goes out of his mouth.
3 He sends it out under the whole sky,
and his lightning to the ends of the earth.
4 After it a voice roars.
He thunders with the voice of his majesty.
He doesn’t hold back anything when his voice is heard.
5 God thunders marvelously with his voice.
He does great things, which we can’t comprehend.
6 For he says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’
likewise to the shower of rain,
and to the showers of his mighty rain.
7 He seals up the hand of every man,
that all men whom he has made may know it.
8 Then the animals take cover,
and remain in their dens.
9 Out of its room comes the storm,
and cold out of the north.
10 By the breath of God, ice is given,
and the width of the waters is frozen.
11 Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture.
He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning.
12 It is turned around by his guidance,
that they may do whatever he commands them
on the surface of the habitable world,
13 Whether it is for correction, or for his land,
or for loving kindness, that he causes it to come.
14 “Listen to this, Job. Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15 Do you know how God controls them,
and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?
16 Do you know the workings of the clouds,
the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
17 You whose clothing is warm,
when the earth is still by reason of the south wind?
18 Can you, with him, spread out the sky,
which is strong as a cast metal mirror?
19 Teach us what we will tell him,
for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness.
20 Will it be told him that I would speak?
Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?
21 Now men don’t see the light which is bright in the skies,
but the wind passes, and clears them.
22 Out of the north comes golden splendor.
With God is awesome majesty.
23 We can’t reach the Almighty.
He is exalted in power.
In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress.
24 Therefore men fear him.
He doesn’t regard any who are wise of heart.”
Although Elihu had misdiagnosed Job’s situation he nevertheless ends his instruction by giving Job some very good advice.
Listen to this, Job. Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. v.14
Hear the thunder of his voice. v.2
He thunders with the voice of his majesty. v.4
He does great things, which we can’t comprehend. v.5
All of this is true. We know that with his voice God’s words spoke creation into existence. God created the heavens and the earth…God said, let there be light…Genesis 1 We know also that his Word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:14 The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: “Jesus is Lord.” Romans 10:8-9
We would all do well to listen to God’s Word.
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
In urging Job to be still and consider the wondrous works of God v.14 and listing some of the amazing things that God’s words, the thunder of his voice v.2, accomplish, Elihu is anticipating the teaching of the Apostle Paul:
Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so people are without excuse. Romans 1:20
Elihu ends by again giving Job some almost correct but, nevertheless, flawed final advice.
Stop trying to reason with God. Stop trying to make your case. Stop seeking answers. Elihu predicted that Job would never get an answer from God. Job 35:12
We can’t make our case by reason of darkness. v.19
We can’t reach the Almighty.
He is exalted in power. v.23
Instead of reasoning with God simply fear God. Reverence God.
It is very true that God is exalted in power. God is beyond our limited understanding but the amazing thing is, God urges us to come to him in prayer. We can make our case. He delights in our honest prayers, our honest wrestling with our Creator, and even our complaining in faith.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6
It is amazing but true, we can reach out to God with thanksgiving. We should be thankful that our Creator desires a relationship with his children. God wants to hear our heartfelt prayers and supplications.
If you have gained nothing else from these dialogues, always remember this:
Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, and Elihu spoke about God. They had a flawed incomplete systematic theology.
On the other hand…
Job spoke directly to God. Job had a relationship with God. Job was speaking directly to his Creator.
Perhaps because only Job had spoken to God, God now personally addresses Job.