Job 32-37: Elihu's Monologue

A new character comes onto the scene in Job 32, but from what he says we realize he has been present observing this entire discourse among Job and his three friends.  Job 32-37 consists entirely of a rebuke made to Job and his three friends by this young man named Elihu.  Out of respect, he bit his tongue and let his elders argue about the matter of Job's sufferings.  But he finally had enough of their foolish talk.

Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.  (Job 32:4-5)


All I can say is--I've been there.  It is very frustrating to watch people who should possess great wisdom, and in many ways seem to, yet give ungodly counsel to people or lead the church astray.  We are blessed in the body of Christ to have some wonderful men and women that are in the fall and winter years of their lives, who have given godly guidance to the younger men and women in their spheres of influence.  I am super-blessed to have one of those precious Titus 2 women right down at the end of my street!  Unfortunately, this is not true of everyone wearing their "crown of silver hair" on their heads.  Dear one, if it doesn't line up with God's Word or His character, run from that counsel!

1. According to 32:8, from where does understanding come?
2. What warning does Elihu give in verse 13?
3. Based on the description in 18-22, why is Elihu speaking to them?  Have you ever felt that way?
4. Is Elihu trying to impress them or win their favor? 

In chapter 33, Elihu speaks with very humble and sincere words, assuring them he is not trying to elevate himself above them but rather serve them with the wisdom given to him by God.

1. In 33:12, what reason does he give for them to listen to his words?
2. How does the fear of the Lord help a man, according to verse 18 and 22-23?
3. What is the good news in verse 24?

"He is merciful to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom...."  (Job 33:24; emphasis mine)

Sister, that is GOOD NEWS!  That ransom is Jesus Christ!

I'm going to give you the ESV translation of this passage, as well as capitalize the pronouns referring to God, because I believe it more accurately portrays what is going on here.

then man prays to God, and He accepts him;    he sees His face with a shout of joy, and He restores to man his righteousness.  (Job 33:26)

1. How do we receive this deliverance from the pit?  So simple it's hard to believe--beginning of v. 26.
2. How does God respond to our prayer for deliverance?  v. 26
3. What does our gracious God restore to us when we call out to Him in prayer for deliverance?  (end of v. 26)

Now read the HCSB version of that same verse:

   He will pray to God, and God will delight in him.
     That man will behold His face with a shout of joy,
     and God will restore his righteousness to him.

Such a simple thing!  Prayer!  Yet have we seen Job do this yet since his three friends came to make sense of his mess?  Did they come in as his brothers in the Lord and say, "Let's take this matter before God in prayer"?  Hardly.  Oh let us learn greatly from this, fellow believers.  May we always begin by falling on our knees in prayer together.

The rest of this passage is rich, so let's read on:

²⁷He sings before men and says:
'I sinned and perverted what was right,
   and it was not repaid to me.  (hallelujah, Lord! -- I just had to interject that)²⁸He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit,
   and my life shall look upon the light.'
 ²⁹"Behold, God does all these things,
   twice, three times, with a man,³⁰to bring back his soul from the pit,
   that he may be lighted with the light of life.  (Job 33:27-30)


Glory to God!  Praise His holy name!  He alone is worthy of our adoration and praise for all His goodness to us!


Sister, I hope you got the beauty of the message in those verses.  Since we know that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23), those words above are our own:
     Lord God, "I sinned and perverted what was right, and it was not repaid to me."  Thank you, Father, for loving me so very much that you gave your one and only Son as the ransom for my sin.  You placed the stain and shame of my sin upon Jesus, and you gave me instead His righteousness.  It was my sin He bore upon the cross.  Now I stand before You, forgiven and clean.  Thank you for loving me more than I will ever understand this side of heaven.  I love you, too, Lord.


In chapter 34, Elihu points out man's tendency to believe we have certain rights that we deserve from God.  

1. What does Elihu say about God in 34:10, 12?
2. We can insist on our rights, and demand justice from God, but what is the reality of man before God?  See v. 14.
3. Elihu asks an awesome question in v. 17b ("b" just means the second part of the verse).  What is it?

Following this excellent question, Elihu goes on to point out the incredible justice of God and how powerful is the Holy One of heaven.  Then he really lays into Job in chapter 35.  

"Because of the multitude of oppressions people cry out;
   they call for help because of the arm of the mighty.
But none says, 'Where is God my Maker,
   who gives songs in the night,
who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth
   and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?'
There they cry out, but he does not answer,
   because of the pride of evil men.
Surely God does not hear an empty cry,
   nor does the Almighty regard it."  (Job 35:9-13; emphasis mine)

This brings to mind every time a tragic event happens in our world, especially in the U.S.  People come together all over the country to pray to God, crying out for His help in the midst of the tragedy.  But over time, most go back to their passive relationship with God--or ignore Him altogether.  Empty cries from prideful hearts.

These people forget all the goodness of God, forget to praise and thank Him for all His great wonders, as verses 10-11 point out.  Oh that we, the people of God and followers of Jesus Christ, would not fall into this same trap of the Enemy!  May we always remember that God is good, and cry out to Him from humble hearts of worship, realizing He holds our lives in His hands and we deserve nothing yet receive everything because of His grace alone.

This is a MUST for memory!

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  (Ephesians 2:8-9)


This is a foundational verse of the Christian faith, and I am so thankful it was my Confirmation verse as a young teen.


In the next two chapters, Elihu proclaims God's greatness and majesty.  Here is your assignment.

• Glance over ch. 36-37 again (read them carefully if you have not already), and find every description of God's greatness, majesty and power.  Highlight them, underline them, write them down in your notebook...whatever you prefer to do.
• use some of these descriptions to make Scripture prayer cards like we've talked about.  When you are feeling overwhelmed by life, a verse like this can set your heart at rest:
• Out of the north comes golden splendor; You are clothed, Lord God, with awesome majesty.  The Almighty—we cannot find You.  You are great in power.  Justice and abundant righteousness You will not violate.  Therefore men fear You; You do not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.  How I praise You, Lord God, for Your majesty!  How I thank You that I am Your child and need not fear anyone or anything.  You are a God of justice, and I can entrust my life into Your hands.  (my prayer version of  Job 37:22-24)

God spoke in wisdom through Elihu.  He may have been the youngest one there, but he obviously had the fear of the Lord which had given him great wisdom.  The apostle Paul would one day encourage his protege Timothy to do the same.

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.  (1 Timothy 4:12)

What example are you setting?  What example are you following?

If you are following the example of Jesus Christ, you are on a path to righteousness and wisdom.