Job Chapter 6

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Lesson 6

Scripture: Job 32:1 – 37:24

Main Idea: Elihu Speaks

          Elihu’s speech is longer than that of Job and is the longest of all of the speeches including God’s response in the next session. Elihu is young and he argues that he has deferred giving his response because of his age. He does not like Job’s claim to innocence nor does he like the responses of Job’s three friends though we could argue that he is not far from their arguments in his response. And he feels that the three friends should not have stopped in their arguments even though Job is unwavering in his belief of his righteousness. We see in verse 9 that he believes that age itself is not the determination of wisdom. How might he be right and how might he be wrong? He is upset at Job on two counts, Job’s response of his innocence and Job believing that God has become his enemy. He suggests that God has many tools to deal with humanity in order to keep us from the pit. The pit was the ancient understanding of Hell, a place where people who failed to receive God’s grace went upon their death. He begins by demanding a right to speak. He believes Job’s suffering is redemptive, that is, as a result of some sin that Job has committed. He argues that Job is suffering as retribution for that sin and that Job needs to reflect deeply on his life and resolve whatever sin he is or has committed and then come to God with a repentive heart. His argument is that God is above sin and suffering and will not arbitrarily cause this to happen to humanity unless for retribution or discipline. Elihu argues that God did all these things to Job, took his land, his possessions and his family in order to improve Job’s character. He condemns Job as an unrepentive sinner. What is the difference between an unrepentive and a repentive sinner? I am curious what you think of Elihu based on verse 18 through 22 of the 32^nd chapter. Hear his words: ^NRS Job 32:18 For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me. ¹⁹ My heart is indeed like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins, it is ready to burst. ²⁰ I must speak, so that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer. ²¹ I will not show partiality to any person or use flattery toward anyone. ²² For I do not know how to flatter-- or my Maker would soon put an end to me! How do you respond? How might his response be different if he had knowledge of the test?

          In chapter 36, the 4^th verse, Elihu proclaims that he is perfect in his understanding. He believes no one has the right to challenge God. In our modern era this would seem to be the basis for those who say we cannot question God. We will deal more with that in the next session. But Elihu is right about some things. He believes that God will resolve this matter and he anticipates that resolution. What we will come to see is that though he is right, he is wrong in how God will respond to Job and to everyone else. In the 34^th chapter, the 11^th verse, he condemns Job by suggesting he knows what God is doing and Job should know also. What do you think?

Finally in the 36^th chapter Elihu maybe goes too far. He begins his dialogue in verses 2-4: ^NRS Job 36:1 Elihu continued and said: ² "Bear with me a little, and I will show you, for I have yet something to say on God's behalf. ³ I will bring my knowledge from far away, and ascribe righteousness to my Maker. ⁴ For truly my words are not false; one who is perfect in knowledge is with you. Elihu would have us believe that he is perfect in his knowledge of what God does and why God does it. In fact, Elihu wants us to believe that his knowledge is vast and of great wisdom. He is presumptuous that he believes he alone can speak for God. That begs the question; can anyone truly speak for God? Under what circumstances might someone speak on behalf of God and it not be going too far?

          In the end, Elihu presents the same argument that the other three have already presented. They all believe that Job is guilty of something and that the sin he, Job, has committed is the reason for his suffering. Job meanwhile is clearly of the opinion that he has committed no sin and that the suffering is God’s decision to single him out. In fact, we know that this is true. That Job’s suffering is a result of God allowing Satan to test his faith, nothing more, nothing less. And Job feels righteous in arguing with God. Elihu is right in that God is going to respond to all of this. However, Elihu, nor Job, expects the response in the direction that it will come.

Questions

Answer the following questions in discussion group:

1.    What is it that Elihu is angry about?

2.    Why is Elihu speaking?

3.    What specifically is Elihu upset with Job about?

4.    What does Elihu believe God send us to allow us to hear what God wants us to know?

5.    What does Elihu suggest we do in order to be right with God?

6.    Where might Elihu have stepped over the line?