Elihu’s Response to Job

Job 32:1-3 | A Righteous Cause Meriting Righteous Indignation: Job 32:1-3

Elihu was angry (Job 32:2)! Not because Job was originally or historically righteous, but that Job was “righteous in his own eyes” in all that he said in the discourse with Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar (Job 32:1); and seeing that Job accused God of injustice with many bitter words, Elihu is moved with displeasure “because [Job] justified himself rather than God” (Job 32:2). Therefore, Elihu was angry with Job (Job 32:2). Furthermore, Elihu was angry with Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar (Job 32:3)! Not merely because they were unable to silence Job. Rather, Elihu was angry with Job’s three friends because they were unable to successfully answer Job’s words “and yet had condemned Job” nevertheless (Job 32:3, 12).

Clearly, Elihu was discerning something amiss with their arguments against Job. Therefore, upon hearing their “words” and “reasons” against Job (Job 32:11), Elihu says that he will not “answer him with [their] speeches” (Job 32:14). Remarkably, instead of categorically condemning Job (Job 32:3), Elihu confesses: “…I desire to justify thee” (Job 33:32). Nevertheless, Elihu also declares: “I will answer thee” (Job 33:12). This being the case, Elihu doesn’t want his position to be confused with the others. So, Elihu openly acknowledges, “Now [Job] hath not directed his words against me” (Job 32:14). Meanwhile, Elihu is confident that his unique argument will be unanswerable by Job as a result of divine inspiration (Job 33:5) – hereby, Elihu claims to possess the “wisdom”, “understanding”, “knowledge”, and “judgment” withheld from Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar (Job 32:8-9, 33:3, 33, 34:2-4, 10, 16, 34-35).

Job 32:4, 6-7, 21-22 | Youthfulness & Eldership: Job 32:4, 6-7, 21-22

Even though Elihu is compelled at last to speak by inspiration, he was subject and orderly to wait and graciously deliver what God had put on his heart (1 Cor. 14:29-40).

Job 32:8-9, 17-22, 33:1, 3-6, 31, 33, 34:2-4, 10, 16, 34-35, 36:2-4 | Elihu Claims Inspiration & Pleads for Spiritual Ears to Hear the Voice of God: Job 32:8-9, 17-22, 33:3-6

When Elihu unexpectedly interrupts the discourse, he pleads for audience as a unique voice of reason to the two parties in conflict. Elihu repeatedly claims inspiration in Job 32:8-9, 17-22, 33:3-6, & 36:2-4, so when he pleads with Job to “hear” or “hearken” to his “speeches”, he is admonishing Job to have spiritual ears to hear the voice of God (Job 33:1, 31, 33, 34:2-4). Those who have earned a reputation as “wise men” must always remember that true “wisdom” and “knowledge” always subjects the discerner to the leadership and guidance of the Holy Spirit in real time situations of “judgment” (Job 33:33, 34:2-4, 10, 16, 34-35, 37:14), as Elihu marvelously exemplifies in the closing portion of the Book of Job. By the grace of God, the divine arsenal of Heaven is able to open the ears of those who are deaf to the voice of God by reason of pride (Job 33:16, 36:10, 15).

Job 32:1-2, 33:9-13, 34:5-9, 35:2-5 | Elihu’s Basic Denunciation of Job While Directly Quoting Him: To be Continued…

Job 33:14-30, 34:10-37, 35:5-16, 36:5-21 | Elihu’s Primary Argument: To be Continued…

Job 36:22-37:24 | Elihu’s Prophetic Perception of the Glory of God in the Noahic Covenant

The formation of the Tempest…

A typological 2nd Advent scenario

Elihu acting as a Tribulation Prophet in the End of the World

Job receiving sovereign mercy as the elect Jews will experience

To be Continued…