Elihu is This Guy?

Introduction

Elihu is the most unpopular character in the bible

Turn to Job 1

Nice simple story

Then poetry.

Finally the blessed words:

Job 31:40 NIV

The words of Job are ended.

Job 32:1 NIV

So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Job 32:2 NIV

But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God.

Who is this guy?

Job 32:6–7 NIV

So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said: “I am young in years, and you are old; that is why I was fearful, not daring to tell you what I know. I thought, ‘Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.’

Good instinct, go with that!

Job 32:17–20 NIV

I too will have my say; I too will tell what I know. For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me; inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst. I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply.

Really? MUST you? At least keep it short.

Nope, it’s another 5 chapters.

Well, certainly he’s going to add something new, right?

Doesn’t seem like it

But he gets his comeuppance, right?

Nope. Never mentioned again.

But at least we know whether he’s right or wrong, don’t we?

Nope.

So this is just some 6 chapter intermission?

Yup

Actually, Elihu does add something.

Elihu argues from a different perspective—the Spirit, revelation from God.

Elihu is responding to Job’s last argument.

Job just finished laying his case before God.

He phrased it, “Speak now, or forever hold your peace.”

Elihu is doesn’t expect God to answer him, and Elihu doesn’t want Job to think that makes him right.

Elihu is trying to convince Job that God’s silence doesn’t make Job right.

He’s giving Job a complex doctrine to answer his questions instead.

Elihu represents the temptation to find comfort in DOCTRINE instead of WAITING FOR God.

Elihu’s Argument

Job 33:12-28

Job 34:10-15, 21-25, 29-30, 31-33

Job 35:10-12, 14-16

Job 36:8-12, 16-21, 22-33; 37:1-13, 14-24

Elihu uses doctrine as a SUBSTITUTE for ENCOUNTERING God.

Elihu’s Character

Job 32:18 NIV

For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me;

Technically, that word could mean “wind.”

That’s actually quite appropriate: this could be the Spirit, or it could be just wind. How do we tell the difference?

Galatians 5:19–23 NIV

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Job 32:1–3 NIV

So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.

Job 33:31–33 NIV

“Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak. If you have anything to say, answer me; speak up, for I want to vindicate you. But if not, then listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.”

Job 34:36–37 NIV

Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man! To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”

Job 36:1–4 NIV

Elihu continued: “Bear with me a little longer and I will show you that there is more to be said in God’s behalf. I get my knowledge from afar; I will ascribe justice to my Maker. Be assured that my words are not false; one who has perfect knowledge is with you.

Job 37:19–24 NIV

“Tell us what we should say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness. Should he be told that I want to speak? Would anyone ask to be swallowed up? Now no one can look at the sun, bright as it is in the skies after the wind has swept them clean. Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; God comes in awesome majesty. The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress. Therefore, people revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?”

How does Elihu’s character chart on the flesh vs Spirit?

Elihu’s CHARACTER shows us that doctrine cannot replace the work of the HOLY SPIRIT.

God’s Actions

The transition from Job 37 to 38 is actually really funny.

Imagine Elihu’s speech

And then...

God’s ACTIONS show that Elihu’s doctrine has misunderstood God’s CHARACTER.

It’s amazing how often we build a doctrine of God that doesn’t look anything like the way he actually behaves in scripture.

Job’s Response

What does Job do right?

All he does is refuse to accept a substitute.

Job prevails by refusing to ACCEPT any SUBSTITUTE for encounter with God.

The goal isn’t to manufacture an experience of God’s presence. God shows up when and how he wants.

Our job is to refuse to accept a substitute.

Sometimes I take doctrine as a solution because I don’t want to wait long enough for my mind and heart to calm down.

But that doesn’t give me a good foundation, because I can’t love a doctrine, or feel loved by a doctrine.

When we wait for God, often it’s actually God waiting for us.

If he had shown up any earlier, job wouldn’t have been ready.

For you, it might be a moment of clarity when stillness has allowed your mind to calm and your heart to open.

It might be a scripture or word of encouragement that hits at the right moment.

You can’t will yourself to be ready, any more than you can will God to show up.

So just don’t accept a substitute.

Job’s Encounter

So what are we looking for?

Saying I love you to God, and hearing it back.

That’s basically what happened with Job.

Job 42:5–6 NIV

My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”

And the results were a man who lived by the Spirit

Job 42:13–15 NIV

And he also had seven sons and three daughters. The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job’s daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.

Job’s encounter with God’s love becomes the foundation on which he REBUILDS his IDENTITY.

For us this happens through the Holy Spirit

Romans 8:14-17

This doesn’t mean constantly feeling love and loved.

Romans 8:18-26

We have to endure what we do not see or feel.

But because we know we are God’s beloved children, we can hold onto that hop.

Romans 8:28-30

Notes

Elihu represents the temptation to find comfort in DOCTRINE instead of WAITING FOR God. (Job 32:6-22)

Elihu uses doctrine as a SUBSTITUTE for ENCOUNTERING God. (Job 33-37)

Elihu’s CHARACTER shows us that doctrine cannot replace the work of the HOLY SPIRIT. (Job 32:1-8, 36:1-4, 37:19-24; Galatians 5:19-23)

God’s ACTIONS show that Elihu’s doctrine has misunderstood God’s CHARACTER. (Job 37:24-38:1)

Job prevails by refusing to ACCEPT any SUBSTITUTE for encounter with God.

Job’s encounter with God’s love becomes the foundation on which he REBUILDS his IDENTITY. (Job 42:5-6, 13-15; Romans 8:12-30)