Elihu justifies his speaking out
And so Elihu the son of Barakel said:
I am much younger than you. That is why I was afraid to tell you what I know. I thought that age should speak. That advanced years should be the ones to teach wisdom. But it is the spirit that God placed within a man that gives him wisdom. You don't have to be old to be wise. They young ones can also understand that which is right.
So please listen to me and I too will share with you what I know in these matters. I waited while it was your turn to speak. Not only was I quiet, I also listened to your reasoning. While you were searching for the right words to say, I gave you my full attention. But not a one of you has proved Job wrong. None of you have answered his arguments!
I don't think we hsould just quit and walk away here!
I will respond but not with the arguments that you have been using!
They do not know what to say. they cannot find the words. Must I still continue to wait silently, now that they have no reply left within them? Now is my time to speak! I will tell what I know for I am so full of words that I am about to burst! The spirit within me compels me to speak.
I will be fair to everyone. I am not here to win friends and influence people for my own gain. If I were a smooth talking deceiver, God would certainly take me to an early grave.
Elihu directs the speech at Job
Please listen to what I have to say Job. I am about to say some very important things. I want you to know that I ahve a good heart. I am sincere and really know what I am talking about.
I may be young but...
...The Spirit of God has made me.
...The breath of God has given me life.
...So give me a chance. Listen to me, and answer me if you can.
You wanted a courtroom where you could speak without fear? Well now you ahve one! I am not God so you don't have to be afraid of me! I am just a man like you are, weak and frail. I am not mighty. I am not punishing you or holding you down. You can speak freely with me!
Now I heard you say that you were pure and without sin. I heard you say that you are not guilty but still God finds fault with you anyway and considers you an enemy. You claim that he keeps you prisoner and watches your every move. But I'm here to tell you that you are not correct Job.
God is greater than any man. Why do you claim that He doesn't answer a man's questions? God does speak. Sometimes one way. Other times another way. Though sometimes man does not notice when God speaks... Sometimes in a dream or a vision when everyone else is fast asleep - that is when God may speak into a man's ear. His warnings may terrify a man and turn him from his wrongdoing! God's warnings may keep a man away from sinful pride, from falling into a trap, or keep him from being struck down by a sword.
Sometimes God speaks in yet a different way. Sometimes He speaks through suffering. He can use suffering to teach us not to sin.
A man may be suffering so much that he does not even want to eat. Lying in a bed of pain and wasting away into nothing - so thin his bones are visible to the eye. Even as he comes close to the moment of death, an angel may come and mediate between the sufferer and God. The angel may tell the man what he needs to change in his life. This angel say 'Spare him his life. Someone else has paid the price for his wrong!' Then his body is brought back to health. Just like it was when he was young! This man prays to God and is in a good standing with god again! The man is joyful when he is restored to God! The man then tells others 'I sinned and did what was horribly wrong, but I did not get the punishment that I deserved! He paid the price for my wrongs. He went down into the grave for me! And because of that I now live and enjoy this gift of life!
God does all these things as needed. Not just one time, but two or three times God wil do this for a man! He does it in order to turn a man away from a dealy way of living so that God's light may shine upon him.
Hear what I am telling you Job. If you have anything to say, please answer me. Speak up because I want you to be found not guilty! But if you have no defense, then continue to listen and I will teach you more wisdom.
Then Elihu speaks some more
Listen to what I have to say wise men. The ear was made for hearing and the tongue for testing. Let us consider what we hear and discern what is really ture. Let us learn together what is right and good.
Job says that he is innocent and that God is denying him justice. He claims to speak truth although people treat him like a liar. He claims that although he doesn't deserve such, God's arrows inflict a wound that won't go away.
Is there anyone else like Job, so full of bitterness?
He puts himself in the camp of evildoers when he says that trying to please God does not profit a man.
Listen to me. God never does anything evil!
He is never wrong in anything!
He pays a man back for the wrong he has done.
He gives the man what the man deserves.
It is unthinkable that God would do anything wrong! He does not act unjustly in his judgements. He is above all and sustains everything. All he would have to do to destroy us all would be to simply withdraw His spirit from within us. We would than all go back to the dust of the earth from which we came.
If you ahve understanding, then think about this. Can anyone who hates justice govern for very long? Are you wanting to condemn God - the mighty, just one of Israel?
God is impartial in his judgements. Even kings and nobles - God will tell them if they are wicked. Rich or poor, God deals with them all fairly. He may punish them by making them die instantly in the middle of the night.
God sees mans every move. There is nowhere for evildoers to hide from Him. It can't be done! God does nto need a courtroom for further investigation. He knows enough to not need a formal inquiry before coming to a judgement. He does not have to launch an investigation before cutting down the mighty ones and putting someone else in their places. He punishes in such a way that everyone can see and learn from each other's mistakes. People who disregard God's ways cause the poor to cry out to Him. God cares for the needy but even if He does not respond the their cry in any way visible to the human eye, who can say that it is wrong of Him? God watches over nations and blesses them when he keeps evil men out of leadership positions.
What happens if a man says to God,
'I am guilty but I don't want to do wrong anymore. Please help me to see the things that I do not yet understand. If I have done wrong, teach me so that I may avoid ever doing it again!'
Should God then, reward you on your own terms Job?
Why don't you adopt the attitude of this humble man?
Tell me what you think!
Job speaks of things he does not understand!
He talks like a man who does not respect God.
To this sin, he adds rebellion as he speaks more and more words against God.
Then Elihu speaks some more
Do you think this is fair Job?
You say you will be cleared by God but then you ask Him what is to be gained by not sinning! Here is my answer to you Job.
God is so high above. If you sin, it does not bring death to Him. You can sin a little or sin a lot. It is not going to devastate Him! If you are a very good man, that is not going to make Him any stronger or any better than He already is. He doesn't need you or your approval!
No. If you do wrong, it hurts men. The good things you do - they help men. God does not need any help.
Men cry out to God when they are hurting.
How come nobody seems to cry out to God when things are going well? Why do men not give glory to God and thank Him for making us in his image - for making us a spiritual being - above the the animal kingdom.
Sometimes men have sinful, demanding attitudes lacking in respect when they call upon God. God does not always listen to or respond to such shallow pleas. If then, He does not listen to these self-centered, demanding calls from other men, how much moreso could he decide to not answer your call, Job? Have you been respecting Him? Have you been asking or demanding?
You claim that God does not punish the wicked and that he doesn't even pay attention!
The more Job talks, the more he says meaningless things. He say s more and more things but he doesn't know what he is talking about!
Elihu has more to say.
Let me speak just a little while longer and I will show you that there is more to be said on God's behalf. My knowledge comes from far away. God is right in what He does and I will say nothing to the contrary! what I am saying is true. I have complete knowledge in what I am talking about!
God is so incredibly great but sitll he loves manking! He does not sustain the evildoer, but he does protect the suffering. He watches over the righteous, lifting them up to places of high position and exalting them forever!
If mena re suffering, He tells them what their sin was. He commands them to repent of their wrong. If they listen, then they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity. IF they do not listen, they will die without knowledge.
Godless men just turn more resentful. Instead of admitting their need for God, they just get more and more bitter whenever He disciplines them. They die at a yound age, just like the male prostitues of idol shrines. But to the suffering ones that will listen to God, God will speak.
god is calling to you Job! Calling you to a place of freedom and comfort! Although right now you are burdened with the judgement due the wicked. Right now, judgement and justice have taken a hold of you.
Be careful not to think that money can buy your way out of this suffering! I someone tries to bring you a bribe and get you back on your feet if only you will return illegal favors to them - beware! Don't turn to evil! Don't be fooled! All the money in the world will not relieve your distress! Don't start plotting evil deeds like kidnapping or burglary. You talk a lot about how these people seem to get away with what they do. You talk a lot about how these evil men go unpunished while you have to suffer... Beware!
God is so much greater than we!
He is all powerful!
Nobody knows more than He!
He does not need to seek our advice on what to do!
We are not able to tell Him that He is wrong in anything that He does!
Lift up His work - the great works that people sing about. Every man can see His amazing mighty works. They are all around us! God is so incredibly great! He is beyond our ability to understand! His age is beyond our ability to count or find out!
He sends the kind gentle rainfall as well as teh abundant downpours that shower upon man. Who can understand how He makes all of this work? He controls the clouds and the thunder from His home. Look at how He scatters lightning all over the place! This same power is seen in His control over entire nations! He scatters blessings of abundant food all over the place! Lightning strikes exactly where He tells it to strike! He announces the coming of the storm with His mighty thunder!
Elihu continues:
And now my heart is pounding!
Listen!
Can you hear it?
The thunderning roar of God's voice!
Coming from His very mouth!
He unleashes powerful lightining and sends it all over the world! Then comes the sound of His roar - His mighty majestic thundering voice! Oh how marvelous! How far beyond our ability to understand!
He tells the snow to fall and it does exactly as He says. He tells a rain shower to become a mighty downpour and it does exactly as He says. He stope the men from their work in the fields. He forces them to seek shelter and to witness the mighty working of the hand of God. The animals also seek cover as the mighty storm driven in. God causes the wind to freeze and to rain ice. He sends the rain and the lightning. At His direction they swirl around the earth and go where He commands them to.
He uses clouds to punish men and also uses the same clouds to send showers and bless other men in His love.
Listen Job.
Think abou the wonders of God.
Do you know how he does these mighty things?
Do you understand how he controls the clouds and the lightning?
Do you understand the one that is full of perfect knowledge?
As a man, you fell the results of His mighty works. When he sends the seltering hot wind from the south, you feel His power. Can you duplicate this feat? Are you so wise?
When god comes in answer to your request for a hearing, what is to be said to Him? There is no case to make Job! Don't tell Him that I wanted to discuss matters with Him! I don't want to be swallowed up!
No one can look directly at the sun because it is so bright! god comes in golden splender, (greater than the sun!) Awesome majesty! He is beyond our reach! Exalted in power! He is fair and righteous! He does not mistreat people! Therefore men respect and love Him. He cares about those who are wise in heart.
God himself speaks!
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