Elihu continues his defense of God. He addresses God’s greatness and righteousness. He speaks on God’s response to the righteous and His judgment on the wicked. This section could be misconstrued because we see that Elihu implies that God makes the righteous prosper and exalts them. Out of context, one may believe that if one is a follower of God, they will be wealthy and without issue. This is possibly a hint to how Job felt, that he is being punished without merit, implying that God in wrong in how He deals with creation. So, in verse 16 and following, Elihu points Job towards God and away from the trials. He is good to warn that one cannot get closer to God with their wealth. All of this really to say that God is all powerful and all knowing. Elihu is also sure to remind Job that God is not easily understood. We can learn a lot from this chapter. We know that the Lord is good, and we must never try an place ourselves above Him. We cannot believe that we are better than we are, yet we must humble ourselves before Him. Remember today that God is good. 

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Elihu contnues his discourse, and redirects his attention to Job. He actually invites Job to respond to his last discourse, namely the accusation of Job's sin as a reason for his suffering. Obviously, Job does not respond, so Elihu continues. He challenges and questions Job in his previously named desire to go before God and plead his case. He expalins that God is greater than man, and did not have to listen or respond to Job's pleas. While that may be true, it is far from helpful when counseling someone. We also can take comfort in the fact that the Bible says that we ought to bring all things to the Father, because He loves us. We see this in Psalm 86:5, for example, where David says, "for you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you." Next, we see Elihu provide an incredible truth in verse 9, where he essentially says that man often times cry out to God when they are in trouble, but not so much when they are living well and prospering. He then closes by warning Job that God does not want to hear his "empty talk." We have seen the sin of Job anytime that he responded to these men. While he not yet responded to Elihu, he knows that Elihu had plenty of time to observe and take note. We see Elihu try and try to point Job to truly seek God, and to repent from his sin. What is his sin? Self-righteousness. Job has not been repentant to this point, and he has not hit his knees in prayer as a broken man. That is the response that we should have in times of suffering. Brokenness and selflessness will lead you humbly you the Father. Have you been broken? Have you gone to the Father?

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In this chapter, and portion of Elihu's address, he speaks on God's justice. He does speak as though he has authority, and addresses both Job and the "wise," which I believe is referring to the friends or anyone in the crowd who may want to challenge him. What Elihu is really doing here is drawing Job to the understanding of God as Judge. But, he is also addressing some of the accusations and defenses. He loosly quotes some statements that Job addressed previously, and also added some content to make his point. He gets on to Job about blaming God, and points him instead to the righteousness of God. Elihu does seem to agree with Eliphaz in that God wil punish the wicked, hinting that Job is among them, but again, we know that there has been no wickedness leading to chastisement from God to Job. We are not told of any sin that led to these situations, only God's permission to Satan because of Job's blamelessness. Elihu does, however, show that God's ways are always righteous, and Job should really accept what he has been given. We have a tendency of getting upset about our circumstances, instead of accepting them. While again, Elihu's understanding was partly inaccurate in relation to Job, we must still look at some of what he says as truth, such as the righteousness of God, and His sovereignty. But the best lesson is that God is always right in what He does, no matter how it makes us feel or if we agree with it or not. Are you prepared to take whatever God gives to you? 

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Now, Elihu speaks directly to Job. These opening 7 verses of this chapter reveal a little about Elihu. At the end of verse 5, in the NKJV, we read that Elihu says that he could be the spokesman before God. Remember back in chapter 9 when Job was asking for a mediator? Elihu claims that he could speak to God on behalf of Job. We see that he believes that he is wiser than Job and his friends. We also see Elihu challenge Job's defense, that is he challenges Job's so-called declaration that he is without sin. While Job did imply this, we know that this is not completely and accurately what Job said. Job said he was clean and pure, but not without sin. Elihu does try to impart some wisdom, but also implies that Job maybe did hear from God, in the form of a dream. While we don't want to limit God, the idea of God speaking to Job in a dream diesn't seem consistent, as this has not been something even remotely hinted at in the writtings so far.  Elihu, later, also implies that God spoke to Job through his suffering. This is likely closer to the truth, as we know that God allowed Satan to test Job. However, we do finally see some resemblance of the Savior starting in verse 23. Here we read of a mediator, full of mercy and grace. A deliverer. One who forgives. Elihu is right that Job is in need of a deliverer. Job needed to repent, and fully surrender to God. We must do the same. Repentence means that we must change direction, towards God and what He desires from us. This is done as a response to the recieving of the Holy Spirit, which occurs when you put your faith in Jesus, letting go of your control, and surrending it to Him. You will become born again, which we know from John 3 is the only way to be reconciled to God. This is an act of grace from God, and obedience from us. Have you accepted this free gift from God? 

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Here, we are introduced to Elihu, who seemingly was present during each of the discourses. When he does finally speak, he speaks for quite some time. In fact, his discourse will take us all the way through chapter 37, then finally in chapter 38, we hear from the Lord Himself. One of the things I really like about this book is that the writer answers a lot of questions for us. If you were wondering why Job's friends didn't respond to his long discord, verse 1 tells us that it was because Job was righteous in his own eyes. If you are wondering why Elihu hasn't said anything until now, we read in verse 4 that he was being repectful of his elders, and let them speak first. But, Elihu was angry. Here, we see Elihu's anger towards Job because he justified himself, instead of God (32:2), and his anger towards his friends because his friends declared Job to be wrong, but did not prove themselves (32:3). Finally, we see in verse 5 that he was angry when they didn't respond to Job's final discourse. Elihu seemingly wants to set the record straight in these next several chapters. I'm sure that we have all been in a similar position as Elihu, where we look around and listen, realizing that no one is really acting appropriately, or speaking accurately. We too can get frustrated when we see people mishandling the Word of God, or simply not understadning what it has to say. As verse 8 points out, it is the Spirit of God that provides understanding, so seek His wisdom today.

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