Job

Job Chapter 33

Elihu Rebukes Job

Job 33:1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.

Elihu now addresses Job instead of the other three visitors. He asks that Job would hearken to what he is going to say. Hearken means to listen but to the point of believing and receiving the words he is about to speak, not just hear the sound but to give heed to what he is about to say.

Actually to listen to God, is to hearken, believe and receive, not just hear and let it go out the other ear. Some of us may hear the sound of what a preacher says but not let it sink into our mind and spirit.

Job 33:2 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.
4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Elihu now says that what he is about to say is from his heart that is upright. He doesn't mean to speak evil and cast Job down with accusations. He believes he has a right to speak because God made him and gave him life the same as Job. It would seem as if perhaps people of that day didn't respect the words of young people. Some cultures of the past believed the kids should be seen but not heard.

Job 33:5 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.

Again he reminds Job that he also is formed out of clay as Job is and wants to speak what he thinks God would say. In this he is in error because we can't assume God sent this person unless God speaks and says so.

Job 33:7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.

He assures Job that his words are not to be terrifying or make him afraid.

Job 33:8 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.

He seems to be critical of Job claiming to be without sin and innocent yet God has sent evil upon him. Apparently this young man is being critical of Job and also of the first three that spoke to Job with accusations.

Job 33:12 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.

It seems as if Elihu believes God can to what He wants and does not give an account of what He does. That Job has no right to defend himself or accuse God.

Job 33:14 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.

In this it is partly true. God sent Jesus to save and keep us from losing our soul and perishing forever. He does speak in dreams to some, He also speaks by using those sent to preach the gospel, and by directly speaking to some as we see He does starting in chapter 38 of this book.

Job 33:19 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.

There is a bit of truth here but misapplied to Job. All of Job's visitors seem to be ignorant of what Job is suffering. They all make assumptions. Paul the apostle spoke to the Corinthian church about one that sinned. He said that they should give him over to Satan for the distruction of the flesh that possibly he might be saved. It worked, the sinner repented and was restored but this would not apply in Job's case. Elihu had no way of knowing that and is making assumptions like Job's older visitors.

Job 33:23 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.

This young man is giving us a hint of the gospel. In Jesus' death He paid the ransom for all who believe to be saved. Signs are to follow those that believe in Jesus. Physical healing is given as well as eternal life. We know that Job ends up with healing and restoration but we see that his visitors are very limited in what Job is going through and why. We can learn from this by making sure if we speak words we think are from God, that they really are from God and not our own imagination. Even if they are from God, we then need to make sure that God wants us to make the words known to the listeners. We also must wait for God's timing and not be in a rush to speak, yet not be afraid to speak at the right time.

Job 33:27 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.

If Job was a real sinner that did evil, all these words to him would be true. Elihu's words are a preview of the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ. They are powerful words and true. He doesn't seem to be as harsh and accusing as the other 3 men.

1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I don't know if Elihu realized that he was preaching part of the future gospel. He is saying that if Job would repent, he would be restored to health.

1John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Truly the blood of Jesus does clease us from sin if we repent and start following Him and His way instead of living the way we want to and ignoring the way, the truth and the life we have through faith in Jesus.

We know that physical healing is included in the gospel but we also know that all are not healed physically either because of some circumstances we do not know or because it is time for a person to go to be with the Lord. There also might be other reasons we are not aware of. Perhaps the way they eat or some other reason. We all know the reason Job was suffering and it was not because he had sinned against God. So we have to take the words of Elihu and compare them with other scriptures remembering that the words of all that speak in the book of Job are the words of man, not necessarily God's words. We eagerly wait for chapter 38 when we hear from our God himself. DC

Job Chapter 34