Job chapter 33
Elihu rebukes Job, attacking things Job had said previously. Like the three before him, Elihu wrongly assumes that sin is the cause of suffering.
ELIHU REBUKES JOB
VERSE 1. “However, Job, please hear my speech, and listen to all my words.
Job. Job’s three “friends” never mentioned Job’s name. But now Elihu does.
VERSE 2. See now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth.
VERSE 3. My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart. That which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.
VERSE 4. The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
the breath of the Almighty. The Holy Spirit is given to us through the breath of God. Read more »
VERSE 5. If you can, answer me. Set your words in order before me, and stand up.
If you can, answer me. Elihu declares verbal combat. He is eager for a fight.
VERSE 6. Behold, I am toward God even as you are. I am also formed out of the clay.
I am also formed out of the clay. That is, along with you, I am a frail human being.
VERSE 7. Behold, my terror shall not make you afraid, neither shall my pressure be heavy on you.
shall not make you afraid. Elihu claims that he will not terrorize Job.
VERSE 8. “Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying,
VERSE 9. ‘I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.
I am clean. That is, “I am pure.”
without disobedience. That is, “without sin.”
VERSE 10. Behold, he finds occasions against me. He counts me for his enemy.
he finds occasions against me. That is, “God has found fault with me.”
VERSE 11. He puts my feet in the stocks. He marks all my paths.’
in the stocks. That is, “in the shackles.”
He marks all my paths. That is, “He keeps close watch on all my paths.”
VERSE 12. “Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man.
you are not just. That is, “You are not right.”
God is greater than man. Elihu implies that Job should not criticize the LORD God, because of God’s sovereign majesty.
VERSE 13. Why do you strive against him, because he doesn’t give account of any of his matters?
strive against him. That is, “complain against him.”
VERSE 14. For God speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention.
God speaks. The LORD God can indeed speak to us.
VERSE 15. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed;
In a dream. In ancient times, the LORD God sometimes made his guidance known to people in their dreams. Even today, this is still possible for the all-powerful LORD God. Read more »
VERSE 16. Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,
VERSE 17. That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
VERSE 18. He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
VERSE 19. He is chastened also with pain on his bed, with continual strife in his bones;
chastened also with pain. Elihu says pain is another way the LORD God can get our attention.
continual strife. That is, a chronic illness.
VERSE 20. So that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty food.
VERSE 21. His flesh is so consumed away, that it can’t be seen. His bones that were not seen stick out.
VERSE 22. Yes, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers.
VERSE 23. “If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him;
an angel. When we are sick, the LORD God might send an angel to us to communicate some message we need to hear.
VERSE 24. then God is gracious to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.’
VERSE 25. His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s. He returns to the days of his youth.
VERSE 26. He prays to God, and he is favorable to him, so that he sees his face with joy. He restores to man his righteousness.
VERSE 27. He sings before men, and says, ‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it didn’t profit me.
VERSE 28. He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit. My life shall see the light.’
VERSE 29. “Behold, God does all these things, twice, yes three times, with a man,
twice, yes three times. Elihu says God often brings us dreams and illnesses.
VERSE 30. to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.
to bring back his soul from the pit. Elihu says the LORD God’s first goal is to wake us up and divert us from death.
enlightened with the light of the living. Elihu says the LORD God’s second goal is to help us enjoy life.
VERSE 31. Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak.
VERSE 32. If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you.
VERSE 33. If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.”
I will teach you wisdom. Both Elihu as well as the three “friends” are completely wrong about Job’s case. They all assume suffering is due to sin.
JOB
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Job’s Dark Night
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