This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.
Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.
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Job
CHAPTER 32
ELihu is a descendent of Buz, Abraham's nephew (See Genesis 22:21). He is obviously younger than the other men who have spoken, and has listened to the whole conversation between Job and these three "friends" (Verses 4-6).
His first observation is that older men do not always have wisdom (verse 7). He says that wisdom only comes by the "inspiration of the Almighty" and he is right (verse 8). But Elihu violates a principle of God by speaking with contention and strife.
10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.
11 Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.
12 Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:
13 Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.
14 Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.
15 They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.
16 When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
17 I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.
18 For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
19 Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.
20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
21 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.
22 For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.
Elihu has patiently waited, but now he just simply MUST speak (verses 10-11). In fact he says that he is so full he's about to burst (verse 19). Usually, when we are that way, it is because of our OWN spirit, not God's!
Elihu says he will speak without respect to persons and not use flattering words or titles (verses 21-22).
Elihu pleads for Job to listen (verse 1). And he says that he will speak from "uprightness of ..heart" (verse 3).
So, we can see that he's going to accuse Job of sin, yet he believes he is "upright."
4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.
6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
Elihu at least realizes he is nothing but "clay" formed and made by Almighty God (verse 4). And he says he will not be "heavy" against Job (verse 7), nor try to make Job afraid.
8 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,
11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
Now Elihu contradicts himself. He had said that he was "upright," but he can't believe that Job is "upright" before God (verse 9).
Let me point out again that Job has said that he is a sinner, and doesn't claim to be perfect. He has only claimed to be "right" with God by confession of his sins and doing those things which were right before God. A man cannot be without sin, but he can be "justified" before God through faith.
Nevertheless, Elihu makes a wise observation. He says that Job shouldn't "contend" with God about how God treats him. It is God's choice to do with us however He pleases (verses 12-13)).
14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
Elihu says that God speaks to man, but man does not perceive what God is saying (verse 14). Over and over again, God DOES speak to us. He speaks through our consciences, He speaks through other people, and He even speaks through dreams, visions and the creation. And today, God speaks through the Bible.
Job has not stated that God does not SPEAK. Job has said that God won't talk to him about WHY he is suffering.
The purpose of God speaking to man is to "withdraw him from his purpose" (verse 17). God wants to take us out of SIN. Indeed, God is gracious to leave us upon this earth and allow us grace to be saved (verse 18).
And God also uses the difficulties of this world to speak to man (verse 19). Sickness and even death remind us that we are frail creatures because of our sinfulness and that we need a SAVIOUR!
23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:
24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth:
26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
Now this SOUNDS good, but it is simply not true. It is what some people call a "Health and Prosperity Gospel." Elihu says that if Job (or any man) will repent from sin, then God will accept him and give him back his health and prosperity (verses 24-25).
Listen, unless Jesus returns for us before we die, we are certainly going to become ill and die. There is no other way! If repentance wrought "health and prosperity" man would never die!
God does not "render to man" MAN'S righteousness. For He tells us that ALL our righteousness is as "filthy rags" before Him Who is pure and holy (Isaiah 64:6).
27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;
28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,
30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.
32 If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.
33 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
God does render to man HIS OWN righteousness upon our true repentance. He grants us eternal salvation because He Himself has paid the price for our redemption (verses 27-28).
Now this grant of God's righteousness keeps us not from the "pit" of physical death; but it keeps us from the "pit" of eternal death - or eternal separation from God. The two are simply not the same!
God does work in the affairs of men to show salvation to those who will come to Him (verse 29). And further, God is ALWAYS working in the affairs of men to draw mankind to salvation.
Elihu has much more to say. We shall continue to look at his speech tomorrow. Please continue in Bible Study with us.
1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
3 Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
4 Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.
5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.
7 I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
9 Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
"Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." (James 3:13-16)
When a man has true wisdom from God, he will speak with kindness and not accusational tones.
CHAPTER 33
1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.
2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.