Elihu's Angry Response

INTRO

Today, our study of Job will feel as though it’s from a different book. There’s no Eliphaz or Bildad or Zophar. In fact, in chapter 32, we will be hearing from a new character—Elihu. In two days from now, I’ll share with you some perspectives about who Elihu was. Parsons states Elihu seemingly interrupted the argument that had taken place through much of the book of Job.¹ Elihu was setting the stage for Yahweh (the Lord) to speak. It appears Elihu was serving as a mediator (Job 36). Elihu called for Job to repent for self-righteousness and encouraged Job to exalt God’s works that were evident in nature. In Job 37, Elihu told Job it was time for him to fear God.

TEACHING

Job 32:1–5: Verse 1 states Job’s friends had stopped answering Job because he seemed self-righteous to them. But Elihu appeared, and he was angry with Job because Job had justified himself instead of God (v. 2). Four times the text states Elihu was angry—at Job (v. 2) and at Job’s friends (vv. 3, 5).

Job 32:6-22: These verses contain Elihu’s first speech. Elihu acknowledges he is younger and less mature than Job and so had hung back intimidated, without saying anything. Elihu voices his respect for those who were there and were older than him (vv. 6-7). In verses 8-10, Elihu acknowledges God has divinely inspired his words—his wisdom has come from “the breath of the Almighty” who has given him understanding. Elihu points out that wisdom did not only come to the elderly but to anyone God chooses. In verse 10, Elihu tells his hearers to listen to him—to pay attention to his words. This was the first of ten admonitions to them.

Elihu had listened to all the speeches of the four men (Job, Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar), even though he was not mentioned in the former chapters. Although he paid close attention to their claims, no one convinced him Job was guilty. Elihu emphasized his wisdom came from God. Could Elihu have been the preincarnate Christ? We’ll return to this in two days. Elihu evaluates the speeches of the three friends (vv. 11-13). In verses 14-22 Elihu demonstrates his impartiality. Job’s friends were dismayed and speechless (v. 15). Elihu was driven to deliver God’s message (vv. 16-19), and he again promises his impartiality to all those who had something to say (vv. 20-21). If Elihu was not impartial, God would remove him from speaking for Him (v. 22).

CLOSING

Pastor Jack Wellman identified four reasons why Christians cannot be silent: ²

1. Because words are necessary (Romans 10:14, 17). We cannot live out our calling only through our actions and hope those actions will be enough to introduce Christ to others. Words are necessary because “faith comes by hearing” (Romans 10:17 NKJV) about Christ and what He has done for us.

Because we cannot be ashamed of the gospel of Christ (Luke 9:26; 12:9; Romans 1:16). Although we can hold back from sharing our faith with others, Paul wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16 ESV).

Because we cannot help but preach (Jeremiah 20:9; Acts 4:20; 9:15; 1 Corinthians 9:16). Jeremiah shared that if he didn’t speak of God, his heart would be “as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot” (Jeremiah 20:9 ESV). If we are not willing to put our lives on the line for Him, will He be willing to put His life on the line for us?

Because of Jesus’ compassion (Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 1:14; Revelation 20:12-15). Jesus died on the cross for us with compassion—with passion! Therefore, we should feel compelled to share what Jesus did to rescue those who do not know Him.

1 Gregory W. Parsons, “The Structure and Purpose of the Book of Job,” Bibliotheca Sacra 138:550 (April–June 1981), 141; quoted in Thomas Constable, Dr. Constables Bible Study Notes: Job, p. 81; available at https://planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/pdf/job.pdf.

²Jack Wellman, “Why Christians Can’t Be Silent About the Gospel,” Patheos, March 15, 2017, https://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2017/03/15/why-christians-cant-be-silent-about-the-gospel/.

If we are too much like Job’s friends, we will not share about Christ with others. But when we accept what Christ has done for us, we cannot stay silent about what He has done!