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Job Chapter Thirty-Two

1. Elihu is introduced, and rebukes the three prosecutors for not answering Job’s self-righteousness (Job 32). Elihu: אֱלִיהוּ ’ēliyhuw ^#453: He is my God. Son of God blesses (Barachel). House of contempt (Buz). Family of exalted (Ram).
2. Elihu’s speeches are longer than twelve other OT books and seventeen of the twenty-seven NT books (Alden, Robert L. Job. Vol. 11. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1993. Print. The New American Commentary).
3. Elihu is angry against Job, and against the three accusers (Job 32:2,3).
   1. Against Job for his self-justification (v.2).
   2. Against the 3 accusers for their lack of answer to Job’s self-justification, and for their condemnation of Job (v.3).
4. Elihu withheld his own message to Job in deference to the wisdom of his elders, but since that wisdom was lacking he ventures to speak (Job 32:4-10).
5. Elihu assures his elders that his message is being given under a spirit’s compulsion (Job 32:11-22 cf. Ps. 39:1-3; Jer. 6:11; 20:9; Ezek. 3:14).

Job Chapter Thirty-Three

1. Elihu invites Job to argue his case before him, and not be afraid as if he was before Divine majesty (Job 33:1-7).
2. Elihu states that he has heard Job’s accusation of Divine unfairness (Job 33:8-11), and rejects Job’s accusation entirely (v.12).
3. Elihu rejects Job’s complaint in that God is not accountable to Job, or any other created being (Job 33:13).
4. Elihu explains that God uses external circumstances in life to teach man corrective and preventative lessons (Job 33:17).
5. Elihu encourages Job to make application of this rebuke, and return to walking in the light (Job 33:23-33).
   1. He does not condemn Job for any sin prior to Job 3:1, nor does he assume that Job’s present afflictions are the consequence of any such sin.
   2. He does rebuke Job for mental attitude sins, and sins of the tongue subsequent to Job 3:1, and urges Job to make the necessary adjustments.
   3. Elihu is not condemning Job. His message is intended to bring about Job’s experiential justification (restoration to fellowship) (Job 33:32).

Job Chapter Thirty-Four

1. Elihu urges the four older men to use this opportunity for collective edification (Job 34:1-4; echoing 12:11 & Isa. 1:18).
2. Elihu reminds them all of Job’s very words, and how God’s nature renders Job’s conclusions impossible (Job 34:5-15).
3. God is quite active in His supervision of men and nations (Job 34:16-28).
4. Verses 29-33 are difficult in the Hebrew and missing in the LXX. They are a fascinating discourse on the silence of God. Elihu suggests that rather than demanding an explanation (e.g. Job 7:20,21; 13:23) (which God is not obligated to provide) Job should be seeking the instruction that chastisement provides.
5. Elihu urges the four older men to agree with his conclusions (Job 34:34-37).
   1. Job’s words of self-justification are not consistent with the knowledge and wisdom of God’s Word (Job 34:35).
   2. Job’s testing needs to continue to the end because he is currently not passing the test by rebelling against God (Job 34:36,37).