Job 32-33 Elihu Steps In

“Job’s three friends were silent, appalled that Job had dared to speak so boldly to God and about God.  They were sure that God’s judgment of Job was the next thing on the agenda.  God was silent.  No fire came from heaven and no voice spoke in divine wrath.  The silence was God’s eloquent witness to the three friends that they were wrong in what they said about Job and about God.  It was also God’s witness to Job that the God of the universe is not at the beck and call of His creatures.  God doesn’t appear just because somebody thinks it’s time for a showdown,” my commentary said.

Young Elihu then spoke up.  “He was not trying to prove that Job was a sinner, but that Job’s view of God was wrong.  Elihu introduced a new truth to the debate:  that God sends suffering not necessarily to punish us for our sins, but to keep us from sinning and to make us better persons.”

“Elihu said that Job had claimed to be sinless, which was not what Job had said … Elihu also quoted Job as saying that God was unjust and was treating him like an enemy.  This quotation was true … Elihu’s great concern was not to debate what Job said about himself but to refute what Job said about God.”

In verses 32-33 of chapter 33, Elihu describes a mediating angel, which very well could mean Jesus Christ – not just a Mediator but a provider of the ransom for sinners … “Only God can provide the ransom, and He did.”

In the next chapters, Elihu will attempt to explain and defend God.

Father, thank You for helping us to think outside the box.  I think that’s why You tell us in Your Word that Your ways are not like our ways – that Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts.  Help me to seek out and discover Your truths hidden in Your Word.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford