The young man Elihu has been sitting with Job’s other three counsellors. He finally has a chance to speak, but does he have anything of value to offer?
Job 32: Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends
1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God.
3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong.
4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he.
5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.
6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said: "I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you.
7 I said, 'Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.'
8 But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.
9 It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right.
10 Therefore I say, 'Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion.'
11 "Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your wise sayings, while you searched out what to say.
12 I gave you my attention, and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job or who answered his words.
13 Beware lest you say, 'We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not a man.'
14 He has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your speeches.
15 "They are dismayed; they answer no more; they have not a word to say.
16 And shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand there, and answer no more?
17 I also will answer with my share; I also will declare my opinion.
18 For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me.
19 Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins ready to burst.
20 I must speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer.
21 I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person.
22 For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away.
Job 33: Elihu Rebukes Job
1 "But now, hear my speech, O Job, and listen to all my words.
2 Behold, I open my mouth; the tongue in my mouth speaks.
3 My words declare the uprightness of my heart, and what my lips know they speak sincerely.
4 The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5 Answer me, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand.
6 Behold, I am toward God as you are; I too was pinched off from a piece of clay.
7 Behold, no fear of me need terrify you; my pressure will not be heavy upon you.
8 "Surely you have spoken in my ears, and I have heard the sound of your words.
9 You say, 'I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me.
10 Behold, he finds occasions against me, he counts me as his enemy,
11 he puts my feet in the stocks and watches all my paths.'
12 "Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.
13 Why do you contend against him, saying, 'He will answer none of man's words'?
14 For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds,
16 then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings,
17 that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man;
18 he keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword.
19 "Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed and with continual strife in his bones,
20 so that his life loathes bread, and his appetite the choicest food.
21 His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen, and his bones that were not seen stick out.
22 His soul draws near the pit, and his life to those who bring death.
23 If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him,
24 and he is merciful to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom;
25 let his flesh become fresh with youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor';
26 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.
27 He sings before men and says: 'I sinned and perverted what was right, and it was not repaid to me.
28 He 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,
30 to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be lighted with the light of life.
31 Pay attention, O Job, listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.
32 If you have any words, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you.
33 If not, listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom."
Things to think about…
At first glance Elihu shows humility in waiting his turn, he is younger and waits until the older men have spoken, Job 32:6,7. He says he has something to say and he is about to burst like a new wineskin - full, vs 19. Have you ever felt like that? You really need to say something, if you don’t you will burst. I get like this most Sunday mornings; it’s a relief when it’s over. May we all have this feeling with respect to the gospel. Share it, otherwise you burst!
There is hope for what Elihu might say. He says to Job ‘my pressure will not be heavy upon you’, Job 32:7. Praise God. Job is about to get relief and no more burdensome guilt trips. What a relief it is when people consider our situation and act and speak accordingly. May we all be blessed with such discernment in the body of Christ.
Elihu’s discourse speaks about the spirit of man, which is given by God, gives both understanding, Job 32:8 and life Job 33:4. This is of course is not been given to the animals, but only to human beings who are made in the image of God, Gen 1:27.
Don’t ever think your dreams have no meaning or purpose. Here Elihu says that God speaks to us through our dreams, Job 33:14-16. Sometimes that’s the only way we can get the message, as we don’t always listen to His word or other people, vs 14.
Elihu describes Job’s condition, Job 33:19-22, then says if there is a mediator God will raise him up, vs 23. Praise God, Elihu speaks the truth. This would have been a comfort to Job, as Job had already said that his redeemer lives. Elihu agrees, but how? We of course know how. Let’s never keep the truth of restoration through Christ to ourselves.
Are Elihu’s words prophetic in Job 33:25ff. Does he see that Job’s fortunes will return? What do you think?
In Job 33:24-30 Elihu speaks about the payment of sin being worthy of judgment and that the soul will inherit the pit of judgment. God indeed finds a ranson, Job 33:24. His name is Jesus! In Christ righteousness is restored, Job 33:26. As such Christ gives us both light and life, Job 33:28, 30.
Elihu is also open to learning from Job, 33: 31-33. This is open dialogue and is healthy. If we have something to say – say it with grace, but be open to hear and receive counsel from others as none of us has all the answers.
Vision Point for Cell groups
CBC's Vision "To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission".
Cell group questions from Sunday morning’s sermon “God’s taking a break” Job 23.
1. Ever felt like God was on vacation in your life? You have been praying for years about something and nothing has been happening. Jay shared about Doug and Elma McPherson and Doug’s conversion after 50 years of marriage.
2. Job felt forsaken by God. Jay asked would God forsake God. We know Jesus was forsaken “My God, My God why have you forsaken Me”, Mt 27:46. Discuss the significance and meaning of this statement by Jesus.
3. Jesus was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, Is 53:3. We are being conformed into the image of Christ, Rom 8:29 and not our fallen image. Discuss the role of suffering in conforming to Christ, 1Pet 4:12-16.
4. Prayer and praise points below.
Prayer Points
1. Joe Biden been elected President, but a peaceful transition is not looking likely with supreme court challenges.
2. Zac’s dad, Mark Torrington is now moving around. Miraculous really.
5. People who have visited the church that they settle in.
6. Sunday’s messages. The message this week – “God’s got this” Job 40-42, Jay.
7. Church finances to meet our expenses and to put a roof over our café.
8. Our City and Country – Pray for revival over our city and the leadership of our country even through these challenging times.
Praise Points.
1. More visitors on Sunday.
2. Communion – thankyou Gary and Christine.
3. Our worship team on Sunday – thanks Rod, Riley and Molly. Sounded amazing. Rin did a great job with the words and streaming.
4. Angelo, Helen, Doug, Maddison, Yuki thankyou for your efforts every week.
5. Young Life will be using our facilities on Friday afternoons. Zach Lipp heading this up. Contact Zac for more details. Starts after school on Fridays 3:30pm.
6. Unity, peace and grace at CBC.
6. Praise God for all those who helped clean up after the storm, Richard, Sally, Murray, Rhonda, Steve.
Announcements
1. Carols Sun 20th Dec 6pm. Start with a meal. Carols to start after the meal around 7pm.
2. AGM – this Sunday 15th November after the morning service. Open for all.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Kids Church activity sheets provided – either in the house or church.
