Job 32 - 34

Elihu Speaks

One who has been silent throughout the conversations Job has had with his three friends, finally reaches a point where he is compelled to speak.  Elihu is obviously an acquaintance of Job and has some knowledge of Job's friends, but Elihu does not place himself in the same social category as Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. He is a much younger man than Job and his three friends and affords them the proper respect their age demands.

However, Elihu is disturbed at the speech of Job and his friends.  He essentially agrees with Job that his three friends have done nothing to assist Job in is despair and suffering.  While old and supposedly wise, Elihu is unimpressed stating, "Sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice." (32:9). Their age did not automatically imply wisdom, because to Elihu, "the breath of the Almighty within them, makes them intelligent." (32:8).  So while it was traditional for elders to be deemed wise and for the younger to give them their say, when it comes to the things of God, the Holy Spirit's influence on a person's life is of greater import than age itself.

Elihu approaches his speech with honor and fairness towards Job. "I won't play favorites or try to flatter anyone." (32:21) "I won't come down hard on you." (33:7).  Yet, in Elihu's estimation, even though Job's friends are incorrect in their assessment of Job's life and condition, Elihu expresses that Job is also incorrect, especially in Job's assessment of God. 33:12 - "But you are wrong, and I will show you why. For God is greater than any human being."

Job's chief complaint was that God did not respond to his cries for help and explanation.  But Elihu explains that God does speak but that man does not listen or perceive His presence. (33:14).  He speaks in visions, in dreams, to person's heart, and through circumstances (15-18).  He allows suffering to get a person's attention and reveal His mercy to them (v.22).  He allows people to fall into sin and then, after repenting, restores them (vs. 26-30). So, in Elihu's estimation, Job's suffering is not necessarily a result of sin by Job, but Job is now sinning by not learning from his condition.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.