Job 33:1 ¶ Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.
Job 33:2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
Job 33:3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
After reading through this chapter it is obvious that Elihu is a very confident young man. He urges Job to listen to him carefully and promises that he will speak clearly from an upright and sincere heart.
Job 33:4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
Job 33:5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.
Job 33:6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
Job 33:7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
Elihu acknowledges that he is just another one of God’s creations along with Job. He wants Job to answer him if he can and promises not to come down heavily against him.
Verse 6 reads a bit more clearly in the ESV: “Behold, I am toward God as you are; I too was pinched off from a piece of clay.”
As it reads in the King James, Elihu seems to be declaring himself to be Job’s representative before God—the very thing Job had asked for.
Job 33:8 ¶ Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
Job 33:9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
Job 33:10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,
Job 33:11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
Elihu notes that he had heard Job declare that he was innocent of any sin that would call forth God’s judgment; yet, he acknowledged that God was treating him like his enemy.
Job 33:12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
Job 33:13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
Job 33:14 ¶ For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
It is on this point that Elihu takes issue with Job. He rightly declares that God is greater than man. As with the other three men, Elihu’s problem is that he assumes that both Job and God cannot be in the right. I liked Stedman’s comment: “Job, like the friends, had a narrow, limited theology which did not include room for God's way beyond the normal thinking of men. This is what often happens with our theology. We try to narrow God down to our way of thinking and what this book teaches us, more than anything else, is to see that God is always beyond man.”
Elihu proceeded to ask Job why he insists on complaining about his circumstances. Obviously, God does not have to account for His actions to anyone.
I liked the NIV translation for verse 14: “For God does speak — now one way, now another — though man may not perceive it.”
Elihu seemed to be implying that God had already spoken to Job, but that Job had failed to recognize it.
Chuck Smith drew an interesting analogy on the subject of hearing God: “Would you believe me if I told you that in this room tonight there are all kinds of pictures and all kinds of voices? There is beautiful symphonic music in this room right now. And there’s hard rock. And there’s all kinds of sounds in this room right now. Now if you had a little radio and you would tune it, you could pick up all of the music that’s floating through the air. Just by turning your tuner. Tuning in. You could see all of the pictures that are floating through the air. Hear the voices. But you’ve got to be tuned into them. Even so, God is speaking, but we’re not always tuned in to the voice of God.”
Job 33:15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
Job 33:16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
Job 33:17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
Job 33:18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
Elihu notes that sometimes God speaks to men through dreams or visions in the night. Sometimes His purpose is to get a man to turn from what he is doing and keep him from acting in pride. It is God’s will to keep men’s souls from being destroyed and save lives.
Job 33:19 ¶ He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
Job 33:20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
Job 33:21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
Job 33:22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
Sometimes God purposes to chasten a man by afflicting him with pain so severe that he refuses food. In his time of suffering, his flesh wastes away to the point that he looks like a bag of bones; his soul draws closer to the grave and his life to death.
Can’t help but think that Job would assume that Elihu is referencing him as he paints this picture even though he made no blatant accusation against Job as had the other three men. Taken in context with the previous section, he is saying that it is possible that Job’s suffering is to keep him from sinning.
Job 33:23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:
Job 33:24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
Job 33:25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth:
Job 33:26 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.
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;
Job 33:28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
Elihu poses the highly improbable possibility of such a man having an angel or prophet speak on his behalf and testify to his righteous character; he might then expect that God might be gracious to him and deliver him. In that case, his flesh would once again become healthy. He could once again pray to God and expect that his prayers would be answered. He could once again enjoy fellowship with God and experience God’s blessing in reward for his righteousness. Such a man would be willing to admit that he had sinned and had realized that it wasn’t worth it. He would rejoice in God’s deliverance and look forward to life.
It seems obvious that Elihu is hoping that with a gentler approach, he can induce Job to repent of his sin.
Job 33:29 ¶ Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,
Job 33:30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
Job 33:31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.
Job 33:32 If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.
Job 33:33 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
Elihu seems to be saying that God likes to show mercy and give men opportunities to repent and change their ways. He then encourages Job to speak up if he has something to say; if not, he has more to say on Job’s behalf. He confidently declares that he has wisdom to share with Job.
I liked Smith’s application: “Now, what he is saying is basically pretty sound, and that is that God oftentimes uses chastisement to turn us away from the pit. You know, as a child of God, you’re in a very good position, because God’s not going to let you get away with evil. Now everyone around you may get away with it, that’s because they are not children of God. But because He’s your Father, and He’s watching over you, He’s not going to let you get by with perversity, with crookedness. And God uses chastisement to keep His children out of the pit…. If you can do evil and get by with it, then I would be very worried. If you can cheat and get by with it, then you have cause to really be worried. But if you’re a child of God, He’s not going to let you get by. You’re going to get caught up with. That’s because He’s trying to save you from the snare, from the pit.”
I liked Coffman’s introductory remarks to this chapter: “The whole cycle of speeches in Job is a marvel of human failure to understand. The relation between sin and suffering Job never for a moment disputed. The thing that confronted Job was that, in spite of his integrity toward God and the absence of any gross wickedness that could possibly have deserved the terrible misfortunes that had overtaken him, he was judged by his friends, and everyone else, as a wicked sinner who was getting exactly what his wicked conduct deserved.
It appears to this writer that one of the primary purposes of this book was that of contradicting that nearly universal fallacy. The false idea that wickedness is at once punished by God with retribution in kind is not true. It was not true in the days of Job; it was not true in the days of Christ; and it is not true today.”
Job 34:1 ¶ Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
Job 34:2 Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
Job 34:3 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
Job 34:4 Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.
As Elihu continues, he encourages his elders to listen to what he is saying and judge for themselves if he is not right (obviously confident that they will agree with him).
Job 34:5 For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.
Job 34:6 Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.
Elihu notes that Job had declared himself blameless and complained that God hath not given him the opportunity to defend himself. Did his friends think he should admit to wrongdoing when he is innocent? Still, he admits that his condition seems to be incurable.
Job 34:7 What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
Job 34:8 Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
Job 34:9 For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
Elihu questions (my paraphrase): Is there another man like Job who endures such scorn from his fellow man? The translations for the next part really didn’t help. I think Elihu is being sarcastic. Job had never been known as a wicked man that kept wicked company. He carefully chose to act in accordance with God’s will. He had been known as a man that honored God and obviously thought it was to his benefit to do so.
Job 34:10 ¶ Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
Job 34:11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
Job 34:12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
Elihu speaks up to defend God and confidently declared that God would never do anything wrong. God rewards a man according to his actions. These are true statements. He seems, however, to assume that Job has accused God of wrongdoing—he hasn’t. Job believes he is innocent of any sin worthy of God’s judgment against him. What he wants from God is a hearing to find out why God is judging him.
How blessed we are to know that when we face God’s judgment, we will appear before Him clothed in the righteousness of Jesus!
2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Romans 3:21–22 “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested…Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe….”
Stedman interpret’s Elihu’s remarks with more grace than most commentators. I liked his thoughts on this section: Elihu “is saying God is mighty, it is true, but when he does something it is always in accordance with his nature. Scripture teaches us that. In James we learn that God is called the Father of lights with whom is no variation or shadow due to change. There is no changeability in God; he is always true to his character of love and we are invited to believe that no matter what it looks like at the moment. That is where faith will rescue us from the kind of temptation that Job is confronted with now.”
Job 34:13 Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?
Job 34:14 If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
Job 34:15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
I think the questions in verse 13 are meant to convey the truth that God was not appointed by any being to rule the world because there is no other being that exceeds or even equals his might and sovereignty. He is the Creator; man’s very spirit and the breath that gives him life are from God. Should He take them away, all flesh would die and return to dust. These are facts that one cannot dispute.
Job 34:16 ¶ If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
Job 34:17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?
Job 34:18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
Job 34:19 How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
Job 34:20 In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
Elihu declares that he that is wise will listen to what he has to say. I liked the CJB translation of verses 17-19: “Should a hater of justice be in control? If you wouldn’t tell a king, ‘You’re a scoundrel!’ or nobles, ‘You are wicked men!’ then you shouldn’t condemn the Just and Mighty One, who is neither partial toward princes nor favors the rich over the poor, since they all are the work of his hands.”
Verse 20 again emphasizes that man is not guaranteed tomorrow. There is no difference between the weak and poor and the strongest and most important people in that regard.
Job 34:21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
Job 34:22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
Job 34:23 For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.
Job 34:24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
Elihu continues by declaring that God sees all that men do and everywhere they go. Though they may try, they cannot hide their wicked deeds from God. He is basically saying that God’s judgment is always right and that a formal court setting is not needed because He sees and knows everything. He takes down men as He pleases and replaces them with whomsoever He chooses.
This truth reminds me of the words of Daniel.
Daniel 2:20–21 “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings….”
This truth gives me great comfort as I observe those in power in the world today. I can rest in the fact that there is no person in power that can thwart the will of God. Those in power are there for a reason in accordance with God’s will in setting the stage for the return of Jesus to take the throne of David in Jerusalem. I can hardly wait! I know that when He returns, I will be among the multitude of saints that accompany Him to celebrate His victory.
1 Thessalonians 3:12–13 “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.”
Luke 1:31–32 “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David….”
Job 34:25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
Job 34:26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
Job 34:27 Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:
Job 34:28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
Elihu elaborates on God’s judgment against wicked men, emphasizing again that he can destroy them at any time for turning away from Him and refusing to follow Him in obedience. Their rejection of God is manifest in their treatment of those that are helpless and in need.
Job 34:29 When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:
Job 34:30 That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
Elihu admits that sometimes it seems as if God is silent and not involved, and not available to answer our questions. However, He has the authority to act against man or nation at any time to prevent them from taking advantage of others.
Job 34:31 ¶ Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:
Job 34:32 That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
Job 34:33 Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
I liked the CJB translation of this section: “For has anyone said to God, ‘I have been chastised without having offended; teach me what I have failed to see; and if I have done wrong, I will do it no more’? Must his rewards meet your approval? Well, you are the one who doesn’t like them, so you, not I, should pick the alternative; come on, say what you think!”
Elihu is again challenging Job and rebuking him for thinking that God owes him any type of answer.
Job 34:34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.
Job 34:35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
Job 34:36 My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.
Job 34:37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
Elihu confidently boasts that any wise person would agree with him that Job has spoken without thinking and without wisdom in response to God’s judgment against him. It is his desire that Job’s suffering continue since he is talking like a wicked man. He accuses Job of rebellion in addition to his other sin as he mocks those trying to counsel him and continues to speak more words against God.
What happened to Elihu’s promise to show Job respect and to remain impartial?