Beloved, I have the joy of sharing with you today the above theme from Job 33:1 onwards. Indeed, on two occasions already Job called for the intervention of an arbitrator (or a mediator: Jb 9:30-35 and Jb 16:20-22). Desire that is granted! Elihu will be for him the interpreter of God’s thoughts. This role, Job understood, could only be fulfilled by a man like him (Jb 9:30-35). “Behold, I am like you as to God, I am made of clay, too” – answers Elihu (v. 6). Scripture teaches us that there is “one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Tim 2.1-8). A profound mystery of the Lord’s humanity, without which he could not have made himself man’s spokesman before God! “God speaks once, and twice…” (v. 14). After speaking through prophets, God spoke in the Son. How much attention should the world have paid to this language! (Hb 1.1-3; Hb 2.1-4). Yet our v. 14 continues: … “And we’re not careful.” So great is the indifference and hardness of the human heart!
That is why the same epistle solemnly warns: “Take care not to refuse to listen… he who speaks thus of heaven” (Heb 12:25-26). In a brief sentence, Elihu sets aside all reasoning: “God is greater than man” (v. 12). And he is not accountable to the latter (v. 13). For there is a solid foundation in the thought that God, who could if He wanted to take away all life, but on the other hand sustains it, must rule according to a law of perfect justice. If this principle were kept at the forefront and followed, we would have a fruitful discussion. But the philosophy of the latter is beyond this thinker, and he weakens his argument by designating human rulers and asserting the duty of the subjects to conform to their decision and to attribute to them at least the virtue of justice.
Undoubtedly, society must be maintained by a leader either hereditary or chosen by the people, and, as long as his rule is necessary for the welfare of the kingdom, what he commands must be obeyed and what he does must be approved as if it were right. But either the writer had an exceptionally favorable experience of kings, as one, let us suppose, honored like Daniel in the Babylonian exile, or his faith in the divine right of princes blinded him to many injustices. It is a mark of his faulty logic that he bases his cause for God’s perfect righteousness on a feeling or what can be called an accident. And when Elihu proceeds, it is with a few unclear sentences in which the suddenness of death, the insecurity of human things, and the trouble and distress coming sometimes upon whole nations, sometimes upon workers of iniquity, are all gathered for the demonstration of the Divinity: Justice. We hear in these verses and especially in Job 34:20 the echoes of disaster and exile, of the fall of thrones and empires.
Because the afflicted tribes of Judah were kept captive and restored in their own land, the story of the period before the writer’s mind seems to him to provide conclusive proof of the righteousness of the Almighty. But we don’t see it. Eliphaz and Bildad could have spoken in the same terms Elihu uses here. Everything is assumed that Job by force of circumstances was forced to doubt. The whole is a homily about God’s irresponsible power and penetrating wisdom which, of course, must be exercised in justice. Where proof is needed, nothing but an assertion is offered. It is easy to say that when a man is struck in the sight of others, it is because he has been cruel to the poor and the Almighty has been moved by the cry of the afflicted. But here is Job struck down in the sight of others; And is it for harshness towards the poor? If Elihu doesn’t mean that, what does he mean?
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped for your better understanding.
Elihu’s argument: God warns man:
- Words of wise men
-Persuasive Jb 6:25 That true words are persuasive! But what do your remonstrances prove?
-Pleasant Pr 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet on the soul and salutary on the body.
-Appropriate Pr 25:11 Like golden apples on silver carvings, So is a word said appropriately.
-Full of grace Ec 10:12 The words of the wise man’s mouth are full of grace; but the lips of the fool cause his downfall.
-Inspiring and unforgettable Ec 12:11 Besides Ecclesiastes being a wise man, he also taught science to the people, and he examined, probed, and put in order a great number of sentences.
-Comforting Isaiah 50:4 The Lord the Lord has given me a trained tongue, That I may know how to sustain by word the one who is dejected; He awakens, every morning, he awakens my ear, That I may listen as disciples listen.
- Breath of life, God gives the
Gen. 2:7 Jehovah God formed man from the dust of the earth, he breathed into his nostrils a breath of life, and man became a living being. Ez 37:5 Thus saith the Lord the Lord to these bones: Behold, I will bring into you a spirit, and you shall live; Dn 5:23 You have risen up against the Lord of heaven; the vessels of his house have been brought before you, and you have used them to drink wine, you and your great, your wives and your concubines; you have praised the gods of silver, gold, brass, iron, wood and stone, who do not see, who hear not, and know nothing, and you have not glorified the God who has in his hand your breath and all your ways. Acts 17:25 He is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, he who gives to all life, breath, and all things.
- Dust, the man drawn from the
Gen. 2:7 Jehovah God formed man from the dust of the earth, he breathed into his nostrils a breath of life, and man became a living being. Job 10:9 Remember that you fashioned me like clay; Would you like to reduce me to dust again? Psalm 103:14 For He knows what we are made of, He remembers that we are dust. Ec 12:7 where one fears what is high, where terrors are heard on the way, where the almond tree blooms, where the grasshopper becomes heavy, and where the caper has no effect, for man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners roam the streets;
- Greatness of God
Deut 3:24 Lord Eternal, you have begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand; for what god is there in heaven and on earth who can imitate your works and your high deeds? Psalm 77:14 O God! your ways are holy; What god is great like God? Isaiah 12:6 Shouts of joy and gladness, Zioner! For he is great in your midst, the Holy One of Israel. James 32:18 You have mercy until the thousandth generation, and you punish the iniquity of the fathers in the bosom of their children after them. You are the great, the mighty God, whose name is the Lord of hosts.
From all the above, we note that the conclusion is the same as thatof the three friends; and this speaker poses, like the others, as a generous man declaring that the iniquity which God is always sure to punish is the tyrannical treatment of the orphan and the widow. Leaving this unfortunate attempt at reasoning, we enter into Job 34:31 on a passage in which Job’s circumstances are directly addressed. For has anyone thus spoken to God, I have suffered without offending: What I see does not teach you; If I have committed iniquity, I will not do it again’? Will God’s reward be, according to your thought, that you reject it? For it is you who must choose, not me: Say what you know. Here the argument seems to be that a man like Job, assuming himself innocent, if he prostrates himself before the sovereign judge, confesses his ignorance, and even goes so far as to acknowledge that he may have sinned unintentionally and promises an amendment, such a man has no right to dictate to God or complain if the suffering and trouble continue. God can afflict as long as He wants without showing why He afflicts. And if the patient dares to complain, he does so at his own risk. Elihu would not be a man to complain about in such a case. He would suffer in silence. But the choice is Job’s; And he needs to think carefully before making a decision. Elihu implies that Job is still in an evil spirit, and he ends this part of his speech in a kind of triumph over the victim because he had complained about his suffering. He puts condemnation in the mouths of “intelligent men”; but it is his. Intelligent men will say to me, And the wise man who hears me will say: – Job speaks without intelligence, And his words are without wisdom. But Job embodies wisdom, which is why in the end, God gives him complete reason. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS PERSONAL LORD AND SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in truth to pray with me:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my personal Lord and Savior. I acknowledge that you died at the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and my faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom by walking according to your ways.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to be baptized by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all worship, power and glory, now and for ever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “God is always just.” (Jb 34)
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.