Jan 12: Job 32-34

Jan 12, Job 32-34

Chapter 32. Elihu. Finally a new character in the plot… We are introduced to this guy as one who ‘burns with anger’ at Job and his friends… and that he had been waiting to speak as he was the younger of all of them and thought that they would be wise (which obviously they were not), they were just stupid in his opinion. He has sat quiet for sometime and now he is just bursting to say something (sounds like something one of the other ‘friends’ said earlier…). Elihu admits he is younger and was respectful. Elihu was hopeful that waiting to hear the 3 friends wisdom to Job would be worth the wait - but according to him it wasn’t. This chapter reminds me of a Toby Keith song that went something like, “I want to talk about me…” 

Chapter 33 Elihu breaks in on Job. He presents a summary of Jobs’ circumstances and words - sometimes verbatim on some of the things that Job had previously said. Elihu also suggests that God may have been speaking but none of them recognize it. He also expresses that one of the main purposes of God speaking to man is to keep his soul from the pit (hell). 

Chapter 34 is a smaller dissertation on Elihu’s perspective on God’s justice. At first it seemed as though Elihu was a prophet and much different than the other ‘friends’. But as the layers become unveiled, we see that Elihu is somewhat similar as he equates Job with evil doers, and insinuates that Job’s arrogance will get him nailed by God. It seems as though his main point is that God uses suffering to correct the evildoers. Which I am sure can be true, sometimes, but not all the time. And especially not in the story of Job…

To sum it all up:

• If the verdict is out on someone, be cautious of the advice and input that they are giving you. I don’t care if they are younger or older - does what they say line up with the words of and the character of God? Are you speaking in love? Are you a true friend?