Meet the New Speaker
His name is Elihu. Out of everyone in the story he is the youngest one. Out of all the conversations, he is the one who remained silent. He just observed took notes and listened very carefully.
The previous chapter gives Job's last speech. The Bible says that Job decided himself to be righteous. There was nothing more his friends could say to him to change his mind. So the younger one gets angry with Job and the others because they said let God refute him; not man.
In Elihu's Words...
So, Elihu decides to speak. He starts off by reminding them that wisdom is supposed to come with age. And since he was the younger one, he chose to remain silent. He was disappointed with the conversation that it did not bring Job to his knees and cause him to confess the sin that they accused him of.
But he declares that wisdom comes from God. When God's Spirit dwells inside of you, you can have his wisdom. So he was going to speak with God's wisdom and in my words, put Job in his place. He says his words won't be like the words of the other two. He was going to give his argument that would be much stronger than the words that have been spoken by them. He tells Job to listen to his words and pay attention to everything he says. He tells Job to stand up and argue his case before him, if he can. And so Elihu starts.
Elihu's word comes from his upright heart and sincere lips. God's breath gives him life and he is a human just like Job. Job shouldn't fear him.
He repeats Job's words that say he is pure, he's done no wrong, he is clean and free from sin; but God found fault with Job. Job is like God's enemy. But Job, he says, you are not right! God is greater than mortals so why do you complain that he doesn't respond to anyone.
Elihu says... This is The Way God Works
God speaks in different ways: dreams, visions, and deep sleep. God may speak in their ears and terrify them to get them to stop doing wrong, keep them from pride, to keep them from the pit, and to keep them from perishing by the sword. Or, mortals could be chastened by pain, constant distress... so much so that their body won't receive food and their soul loathes meals. Their flesh wastes away and their bones stick out. They come close to the pit and to the messengers of death. But their might be a messenger who will say to the suffering mortals how to be upright; and then the messenger says to God to spare them. I have found a ransom. Renew them like they were young; then the mortals can find favor with God and shout for joy. Then they can tell others, I have sinned but I did not get what I deserved. God delivered me and now I will live to the fullest. God may do this two or three times.
The Ear Tests Words
Listen Job! Be silent and I will speak, he says. If you have to say something, say it! If not listen and I will teach you.
Then Elihu says to all of them; It is the ear that tests words just as the tongue tastes food. Let's test what is right and learn. Job says he's innocent but God denies him justice. Elihu repeats Job again almost as though he is mocking him. Then he says that God will repay everybody for what they do. God can't do wrong or pervert justice. If God wanted to withdraw his presence, we'd all die. Elihu goes through a laundry list of what God does and does not do. Then he says to his listeners that Job is speaking without knowledge and insight. Job needs to experience the ultimate test because he answers like a wicked man. He is also rebellious and multiplies his words against God.
My Thoughts
Okay, I could be wrong but Elihu isn't saying anything great. God punishes people for the evil things they do and Job is terribly wicked. That's basically it! There is no proof in these statements that establishes Job as a wicked man. Elihu's argument is just as weak as the other advisers or friends. Perhaps the silence was too great and Elihu had to add his two cents but there's nothing earth shattering here.
I don't know if I get the full impact of the book of Job. I am sure there is more to this than what I see here. I do know this that Job suffered greatly and God allowed him to be tried in the fire but Job says that he would come out like pure gold. I love Job's strength and sticking to what he knows. He never once second guesses himself in spite of the status of these learned men. I'm sure Elihu has more to say.
That's it for today.
His name is Elihu. Out of everyone in the story he is the youngest one. Out of all the conversations, he is the one who remained silent. He just observed took notes and listened very carefully.
The previous chapter gives Job's last speech. The Bible says that Job decided himself to be righteous. There was nothing more his friends could say to him to change his mind. So the younger one gets angry with Job and the others because they said let God refute him; not man.
In Elihu's Words...
So, Elihu decides to speak. He starts off by reminding them that wisdom is supposed to come with age. And since he was the younger one, he chose to remain silent. He was disappointed with the conversation that it did not bring Job to his knees and cause him to confess the sin that they accused him of.
But he declares that wisdom comes from God. When God's Spirit dwells inside of you, you can have his wisdom. So he was going to speak with God's wisdom and in my words, put Job in his place. He says his words won't be like the words of the other two. He was going to give his argument that would be much stronger than the words that have been spoken by them. He tells Job to listen to his words and pay attention to everything he says. He tells Job to stand up and argue his case before him, if he can. And so Elihu starts.
Elihu's word comes from his upright heart and sincere lips. God's breath gives him life and he is a human just like Job. Job shouldn't fear him.
He repeats Job's words that say he is pure, he's done no wrong, he is clean and free from sin; but God found fault with Job. Job is like God's enemy. But Job, he says, you are not right! God is greater than mortals so why do you complain that he doesn't respond to anyone.
Elihu says... This is The Way God Works
God speaks in different ways: dreams, visions, and deep sleep. God may speak in their ears and terrify them to get them to stop doing wrong, keep them from pride, to keep them from the pit, and to keep them from perishing by the sword. Or, mortals could be chastened by pain, constant distress... so much so that their body won't receive food and their soul loathes meals. Their flesh wastes away and their bones stick out. They come close to the pit and to the messengers of death. But their might be a messenger who will say to the suffering mortals how to be upright; and then the messenger says to God to spare them. I have found a ransom. Renew them like they were young; then the mortals can find favor with God and shout for joy. Then they can tell others, I have sinned but I did not get what I deserved. God delivered me and now I will live to the fullest. God may do this two or three times.
The Ear Tests Words
Listen Job! Be silent and I will speak, he says. If you have to say something, say it! If not listen and I will teach you.
Then Elihu says to all of them; It is the ear that tests words just as the tongue tastes food. Let's test what is right and learn. Job says he's innocent but God denies him justice. Elihu repeats Job again almost as though he is mocking him. Then he says that God will repay everybody for what they do. God can't do wrong or pervert justice. If God wanted to withdraw his presence, we'd all die. Elihu goes through a laundry list of what God does and does not do. Then he says to his listeners that Job is speaking without knowledge and insight. Job needs to experience the ultimate test because he answers like a wicked man. He is also rebellious and multiplies his words against God.
My Thoughts
Okay, I could be wrong but Elihu isn't saying anything great. God punishes people for the evil things they do and Job is terribly wicked. That's basically it! There is no proof in these statements that establishes Job as a wicked man. Elihu's argument is just as weak as the other advisers or friends. Perhaps the silence was too great and Elihu had to add his two cents but there's nothing earth shattering here.
I don't know if I get the full impact of the book of Job. I am sure there is more to this than what I see here. I do know this that Job suffered greatly and God allowed him to be tried in the fire but Job says that he would come out like pure gold. I love Job's strength and sticking to what he knows. He never once second guesses himself in spite of the status of these learned men. I'm sure Elihu has more to say.
That's it for today.
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