Elihu Responds
Job 32-34

Elihu Responds, Job 32-34. Elihu, in spite of his youth, does prove to be a man who more faithfully understands God and his works among men. He addresses Job by saying, Far be it from God that he should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.

10 “Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding:
far be it from God that he should do wickedness,
and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.
11 For according to the work of a man he will repay him,
and according to his ways he will make it befall him.
12 Of a truth, God will not do wickedly,
and the Almighty will not pervert justice.
13 Who gave him charge over the earth,
and who laid on him the whole world?
14 If he should set his heart to it
and gather to himself his spirit and his breath,
15 all flesh would perish together,
and man would return to dust.
Job 34:10-15, ESV

Elihu Responds
Job 32-34

The words of Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, and Job have ended. Job's three friends have increasingly condemned him for all manner of wickedness, and Job countered by extolling his own righteousness more and more until he was at the point of accusing God for wrong doing.

Elihu Responds

During all of this long discourse, Elihu has patiently waited through all that was said for, in his own words, “I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you. I said, ‘Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom."But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right. Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;let me also declare my opinion.’"

Elihu, in spite of his youth, does prove to be a man who more faithfully understands God and his works among men. He addresses Job by saying, Far be it from God that he should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.

Then, he expertly turns every one's attention away from themselves and directly to God.

13 Who gave him charge over the earth,
and who laid on him the whole world?
14 If he should set his heart to it
and gather to himself his spirit and his breath,
15 all flesh would perish together,
and man would return to dust.

There it is! Our true focus must always be upon God. Who are we? We did not, and cannot, give Him charge over the earth. If we received what we truly deserved, all men, no matter how righteous they ever could be of themselves, would perish together and return to the dust. As Job said in chapter 1, The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Pray that God will be gracious to you so that, even in suffering, you may always give glory to God alone, who does everything right. We will see God's truth and righteousness brought out more as we continue to read the discourse of Elihu, and then as God, Himself, speaks and sets everything right.

As we think of Elihu, let us not despise those who are still in their youth. Wisdom comes from God alone, and He often gives great wisdom to those who are still young.

Elihu Responds

Bible Study Book of Job