READ CHAPTER 32
A new person enters the scene. His name is Elihu. He is not described as one of the friends of Job. He criticizes Job as well as Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar.
Rather than stressing the idea that suffering is a punishment for sinful actions, Elihu concentrates on Job's sinful reaction to his undeserved suffering.
Elihu addresses Job by name (Job 33:1, 33:31, 37:14), something the three friends never did. Elihu's words differ from those of the three friends in that his monologues discuss divine providence, which he insists is full of wisdom and mercy.
Job 32:11 indicate that Elihu has been listening to the conversations between Job and the other three men. He also admits his status as one who is not an elder (32:6–7). As Elihu's monologue reveals, his anger against the three older men was so strong he could not contain himself (32:2–4). As an "angry young man," he is critical of both Job and his friends.
Elihu claims that the righteous and the wicked have their share of prosperity in this life. He teaches that God is supreme, and that one must acknowledge and submit to that supremacy because of God's wisdom. Elihu talks also about creation and the seasons.
Just as Elihu appears on the scene abruptly in Chapter 32, his speeches also end abruptly, and he disappears "without a trace" at the end of Chapter 37.
What we learn about Elihu in Chapter 32:
1. He is a young man.
2. He is angry,
3. He heard the conversations between the three friends and Job's responses.
4. Elihu rebukes Job for refusing to acknowledge his sin (just as the three friends had done).
5. Elihu rebukes the three friends for not giving adequate arguments to Job's responses.
6. Elihu wants equal time to speak. In fact, he demands that they listen to him (32:16-22).
7. Elihu is the only one who speaks in Chapters 32-37. Job does not interrupt with responses the entire time Elihu was speaking. The chapters run into each other, or there is a heading that reads, "Then Elihu says," or "Elihu continued."
8. Elihu's long speech is much different from those of the three friends.
9. Elihu had one long continual speech while the friends had three rounds of speeches with Job's response after each friend spoke.
10. Elihu's speech is called a "monologue" with no response afterward. The other speeches were "dialogues."
READ CHAPTER 33
In the first seven verses, Elihu assures Job that he will speak the truth sincerely and that he is not to be feared. In the rest of the chapter, Elihu attempts to correct what he believes are Job's wrong assumptions.
Job's wrong assumptions, according to Elihu:
1. Job accused God of not responding to people's complaints. Elihu contends that God speaks to all people through dreams, visions, and sickness, but people fail to recognize it when God speaks to them.
2. Elihu says God listens and answers the prayers of those who have a mediator who shows that they are righteous.
3. Elihu tells Job to speak if he has something to say. Otherwise, he should be quiet, listen, and ponder what Elihu says.
READ CHAPTER 34
Elihu continues his monologue. In the first four verses, he calls for all who are wise to discern whether Job is right. In Verses 5-9, Elihu accuses Job of being arrogant by claiming to be innocent. He believes Job seeks the companionship of evil people.
In Verses 10-32, Elihu gives reasons he believes Job is arrogant. He insists that God cannot be righteous based on the fact that he is suffering. He concludes that God does not unjustly punish the righteous and allow the wicked to go unpunished.
In the final verses (34:33-37), Elihu accuses Job of blasphemy and rebellion because he has accused God of allowing him to suffer unjustly.
READ CHAPTER 35
Elihu's monologue continues. He tries to correct Job's thinking.
1. He tells Job he should not expect God to respond to him simply because he is righteous because a person's action cannot force God to do anything.
2. Elihu says God does act on the behalf of people, but there is a perfect time for God to act.
READ CHAPTER 36
Elihu continues with his list of things Job needs to correct.
3. Elihu tells Job and his three friends that God uses suffering to correct and instruct people.
4. Elihu tells Job to change his attitude by being patient in his troubles and to view his suffering as God's way of helping him.
In the final verses of Chapter 36 and all of Chapter 37, Elihu outlines what God has done.
READ CHAPTER 37
Elihu concludes his monologue in this chapter. In his final words, he tells Job to stand in awe of God and show Him reverence.
Meditate on Elihu's monologue because in Chapter 38 and 39, someone else speaks.
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