Elihu Claims to Speak For God

Job 33:1–33
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

Job had been wanting a man to represent him before God. This young man, Elihu, is willing to do just that. He wants to enlighten Job with his great wisdom (vv. 1-2). He says he is going to speak by the Spirit of God (vv. 3-4). Peter in his epistle wrote, “If any man speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God....” (I Peter 4:11). Any ministry is powerless, valueless, and fruitless unless a man is speaking  in the Spirit of God. Other men haven’t been able to answer Job, and now Elihu is going to give it a try. He says, “I’m made of the same clay you are made of” (vv. 5-6). He has been listening to all the preceding conversation, and heard that Job considered himself innocent and found fault with God (vv. 7-9). He says God is greater than man and not responsible to man (vv. 10-12). In fact, He doesn’t have to report to anyone (v. 13). (Since we have the complete Bible we don’t need to trust any dream we have had (vv. 14-15.)

Elihu was sure he was right, and challenged Job to refute him (vv. 1-8). Elihu recognized the truth that God was the only source of real wisdom, but he did not use God’s wisdom to help Job. He had not learned that Job needed understanding and love instead of accusations and arguments. Like the three friends, Elihu had a great many facts in his mind but very little truth in his heart. He quoted Job’s own words (vv. 9-11) and explained that God owed him no explanation of what He was doing (vv. 12-13). Job’s greatest test was not the pain, but that he did not know why he was suffering. Elihu claimed to have the answer for Job’s big question: “Why doesn’t God tell me what is happening?” Elihu told Job that God was trying to answer him, but he was not listening. God may speak in dreams (vv. 14-18), in trials (vv. 19-30), and through people (vv. 31-33). God had used all three in Job’s life and he had rejected them. Is it any wonder that Job was miserable?

Application

I should never be content just to know about wisdom, but must make it a part of my life pursuit. That only comes from a close relationship with the Lord, and an understanding of His Word.