Job 32-36
Notes
Transcript
Response of Elihu Job 32-37
Response of Elihu Job 32-37
1 So these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
This section is the longest response from among Jobs “friends”.
Don’t we do the same? People ask the same question over and over, you give the many variations of an answer (the same answer) and still, they don’t listen?
this is descriptive of what his 3 friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite thought about Job, not that job actually thought he was righteous.
Job knew because of his atoning sacrifices, that he had covered any sin, and as God even said, he was blameless but Job never claimed that he was righteous, just that this wasn't fair.
2 Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God.
Eh-lay-hoo. Since speaks after the others, is considered to be the youngest of them all v3. name: My-God-is-He - some try to make him into something he isn't. Like a christophany, etc. I don’t think he is mentioned before or after because he was young and of no consequence. Perhaps just But note the scripture says he is son of Barachel the Buzite.
He isn’t exactly right, but he ain wrong about what is going on. But he is an equal opportunity destroyer
3 Also against his three friends his wrath was aroused, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
No answer, all conjecture, not a shred of evidence except the circumstances of Jobs life and we are all fond of the eastern idea of karma, or “god” holding the wicked accountable in this life.
we know no one gets away with anything but often we wanna see the evil ones get their due now.
Job 32:6–9 (NKJV)
6 So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said: “I am young in years, and you are very old; Therefore I was afraid, And dared not declare my opinion to you. 7 I said, ‘Age should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.’ 8 But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding. 9 Great men are not always wise, Nor do the aged always understand justice.
is he wrong? No. But you have all been young once and know what can happen. God entrusted the church to bunch of 20 year olds (apostles, many teachers in other planted churches). God can make you old and wise quick if you were willing to give up
10 “Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me, I also will declare my opinion.’ 11 Indeed I waited for your words, I listened to your reasonings, while you searched out what to say. 12 I paid close attention to you; And surely not one of you convinced Job, Or answered his words— 13 Lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom’; God will vanquish him, not man. 14 Now he has not directed his words against me; So I will not answer him with your words.
He then says, I couldn't shut up - sounds almost like a teen
15 “They are dismayed and answer no more; Words escape them. 16 And I have waited, because they did not speak, Because they stood still and answered no more. 17 I also will answer my part, I too will declare my opinion. 18 For I am full of words; The spirit within me compels me. 19 Indeed my belly is like wine that has no vent; It is ready to burst like new wineskins. 20 I will speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer. 21 Let me not, I pray, show partiality to anyone; Nor let me flatter any man. 22 For I do not know how to flatter, Else my Maker would soon take me away.
Now in 33, elihu is going to admit a few things about himself
v4 The Spirit has made him, he is a man (god breathed into clay). As much a son of Adam as any.
8 “Surely you have spoken in my hearing, And I have heard the sound of your words, saying, 9 ‘I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent, and there is no iniquity in me. 10 Yet He finds occasions against me, He counts me as His enemy; 11 He puts my feet in the stocks, He watches all my paths.’ 12 “Look, in this you are not righteous. I will answer you, For God is greater than man. 13 Why do you contend with Him? For He does not give an accounting of any of His words. 14 For God may speak in one way, or in another, Yet man does not perceive it.
but, like so many he gets it half right. To be fair, he only has what God has revealed and the imperfect nature of them
in vv15-33 so then he begins to say that God tells people the right and wrong things to do in their dreams, that he punishes with sickness, then repeats the same thing pretty much that the others have been saying.
he even says, to repent is to be healed.
1 Elihu further answered and said: 2 “Hear my words, you wise men; Give ear to me, you who have knowledge. 3 For the ear tests words As the palate tastes food. 4 Let us choose justice for ourselves; Let us know among ourselves what is good. 5 “For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, But God has taken away my justice; 6 Should I lie concerning my right? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ 7 What man is like Job, Who drinks scorn like water, 8 Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, And walks with wicked men? 9 For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing That he should delight in God.’
His view of Job is skewed but like many, he doesnt know what we do. That Job truly is blameless. The power of atonement, etc
16 “If you have understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words: 17 Should one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn Him who is most just? 18 Is it fitting to say to a king, ‘You are worthless,’ And to nobles, ‘You are wicked’? 19 Yet He is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; For they are all the work of His hands. 20 In a moment they die, in the middle of the night; The people are shaken and pass away; The mighty are taken away without a hand. 21 “For His eyes are on the ways of man, And He sees all his steps. 22 There is no darkness nor shadow of death Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. 23 For He need not further consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment. 24 He breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry, And sets others in their place. 25 Therefore He knows their works; He overthrows them in the night, And they are crushed. 26 He strikes them as wicked men In the open sight of others, 27 Because they turned back from Him, And would not consider any of His ways,
powerful word. true. But, based on this philosophy he arrives at the following thought.
34 “Men of understanding say to me, Wise men who listen to me: 35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge, His words are without wisdom.’ 36 Oh, that Job were tried to the utmost, Because his answers are like those of wicked men! 37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; He claps his hands among us, And multiplies his words against God.”
2 “Do you think this is right? Do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s’? 3 For you say, ‘What advantage will it be to You? What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?’
4 “I will answer you, And your companions with you. 5 Look to the heavens and see; And behold the clouds— They are higher than you. 6 If you sin, what do you accomplish against Him? Or, if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to Him? 7 If you are righteous, what do you give Him? Or what does He receive from your hand? 8 Your wickedness affects a man such as you, And your righteousness a son of man. 9 “Because of the multitude of oppressions they cry out; They cry out for help because of the arm of the mighty. 10 But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, Who gives songs in the night, 11 Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth, And makes us wiser than the birds of heaven?’ 12 There they cry out, but He does not answer, Because of the pride of evil men. 13 Surely God will not listen to empty talk, Nor will the Almighty regard it. 14 Although you say you do not see Him, Yet justice is before Him, and you must wait for Him. 15 And now, because He has not punished in His anger, Nor taken much notice of folly, 16 Therefore Job opens his mouth in vain; He multiplies words without knowledge.”
the next few verses display more pride than could ever be witnessed before this
Job 36:2–4 “Bear with me a little, and I will show you That there are yet words to speak on God’s behalf. 3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar; I will ascribe righteousness to my Maker. 4 For truly my words are not false; One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
I wonder if Job stuffed a chuckle back at this.
We can only share what God has shared with us. We can speculate but we have to remember that our speculation is not truth. Though perhaps, Elihu is referring to the Word of God.
5 “Behold, God is mighty, but despises no one; He is mighty in strength of understanding. 6 He does not preserve the life of the wicked, But gives justice to the oppressed. 7 He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous; But they are on the throne with kings, For He has seated them forever, And they are exalted.
36:5–7. Though not translated in the NIV, the Hebrew word for “Behold” introduces four statements by Elihu about God’s power (vv. 5, 22, 26, 30). Though God is just (vv. 6–7) He is also mighty; and though He is mighty He does not lack mercy (He does not despise men). Again Elihu sided with the three worn-out debaters by maintaining that God does not allow the wicked to live (cf. v. 14; 15:27–35; 20:5–29) in contrast with Job’s insistence that many sinners do live on in prosperity to a ripe old age (21:7, 27–33). Elihu affirmed, on the other hand, that God restores afflicted righteous people, giving them deserved blessings, watching over them in care (though Job felt this was no longer true of him, 29:2; 10:12)
did you get that? living well for christ does not mean we will not suffer. we can lose loved ones, get sick, be persecuted by other believers. You may be completely, wholly, totally completely repentant, and still die. Only one thing is guaranteed.
24 “Remember to magnify His work, Of which men have sung. 25 Everyone has seen it; Man looks on it from afar. 26 “Behold, God is great, and we do not know Him; Nor can the number of His years be discovered. 27 For He draws up drops of water, Which distill as rain from the mist, 28 Which the clouds drop down And pour abundantly on man. 29 Indeed, can anyone understand the spreading of clouds, The thunder from His canopy? 30 Look, He scatters His light upon it, And covers the depths of the sea. 31 For by these He judges the peoples; He gives food in abundance. 32 He covers His hands with lightning, And commands it to strike. 33 His thunder declares it, The cattle also, concerning the rising storm.
one of the coolest things is that we see even lacking some of these things, like a systematic, God has still revealed enough of Himself to man to worship them. His love for us is such that He is sure to be present in the lives of each who would receive that love.
Romans 1:16–17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”” 1 corinthians 1:24
1 “At this also my heart trembles, And leaps from its place. 2 Hear attentively the thunder of His voice, And the rumbling that comes from His mouth. 3 He sends it forth under the whole heaven, His lightning to the ends of the earth. 4 After it a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, And He does not restrain them when His voice is heard. 5 God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend.
A storm seems to be forming and even Elihu is intimidated by it.
14 “Listen to this, O Job; Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God. 15 Do you know when God dispatches them, And causes the light of His cloud to shine? 16 Do you know how the clouds are balanced, Those wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge?
Listen Job he says, this storm is something we cannot control, only He can.
23 As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, In judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress. 24 Therefore men fear Him; He shows no partiality to any who are wise of heart.”
A whirlwind is rising up and we know who is in it. Job 38:1 “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:”
