Job 32-37

Instead of one post to finish out the book of Job, I decided to just look at Elihu's speeches found in chapters 32 through 37 today.  I'm happy that many have continued reading and seeking to understand this book.  When we remember that all the scripture is "breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work," (2 Timothy 3:16-17), it helps us to continue on.

We meet Elihu in chapter 32.  He is younger than Job and the three counselors that initially spoke with him, and he waited to speak until they had finished their discourse, respecting his elders.  Many commentators see Elihu as a haughty individual, but looking forward to the epilogue, we do not see Elihu rebuked when God chastises the others.  Also Job does not answer back to him.  Elihu is angry with Job, not for living a wicked life deserving of punishment, but for seeming to be more concerned with his own vindication than how he speaks of God, for criticizing Him instead of recognizing that He might have a loving purpose in allowing Job's suffering.  He is angry with the three friends for only blaming Job and not finding an answer for him.  He does wait his turn and even speaks of his own fear and timidness to share before his elders.  This seems humble of him to me and also courageous, so I will not be quick to call him a self-important know-it-all, although I think he could have been a bit gentler with suffering Job.  It makes me think about my interactions of others, that I might be gentler so that I do not come across haughty and uncaring.  There is so much to take from each passage we read.  From Elihu's words in chapters 33, we see that he, unlike the previous three, leaves room for grace and mercy from God.  He challenges Job to not assume that God was silent, rather to look for how He might be speaking, and to remember that God does not have to answer man for His ways.  Elihu uses quotes from Job, to show him his ere in how he spoke and defends God's goodness and justice.  He spoke to Job about his argument of not seeing wickedness punished and reminded him that God is just whether it is evident or not.  He chastised Job for not speaking more wisely about the ways of God.

This brings us to chapter 35 with Elihu still speaking.  He speaks of God's greatness above man and Job's wrong thinking that God is indifferent to his cries or that there is no difference before God for the righteous and wicked.  His advice is to come humbly before God, not at a place of defensiveness and pride.  While this was good advice, it was still not completely appropriate to Job who God found righteous before Him.  When Elihu continues to speak, he is trying to prove before them that he is worthy to listen to, which I do feel comes across as prideful, but I really do not know the appropriate speech for the culture so I will not give that judgement.  He continues to discourse on God's mightiness and His dealings with man, including mercy and justice, watching over the righteous, bringing about repentance, teaching, rewarding obedience, and punishing sin.  He speaks of how God opens the ears of man by adversity.  We see the new suggestion that suffering might be used to draw us closer to God.  I think this is a very important point for us to take note of.  I know that I have grown in my walk with the Lord during hard times.  Elihu also cautioned Job to not get caught up in his complaining, leading him to sin against God, but rather to remember to praise God in His power and works, His greatness that we cannot comprehend.   How often to we fall in to the trap of being negative and miss the greatness of the Lord all around us?  I like the saying, "Do not miss the roses for the thorns."  He continues in chapter 37, proclaiming God's majesty that we see through creation.  I have to stop and really think about this.  Do I take notice of God's greatness and power in the clouds, in the thunder and lightning, in rain and snow, in the animal kingdom?   We cannot even look into the sun when the storm has passed and it is bright in the sky.  How much mightier is God than the sun, and we must fear Him and remain humble before Him in all His majesty!  He is mighty and just and completely righteous!

I hope that this section of scripture has left you, like we, reflecting on God's goodness and our humble place before Him.  Continue reading because we are going to hear God speak beginning in chapter 38 and also find out what happens with Job!