In the first part of this short series, we saw that Job spoke truthfully and eloquently about wisdom in chapter 28. But in this part, it will be necessary for us to see that Job was not living according to the wisdom he had praised so highly. God said of him in chapter 1 that he feared God and shunned evil. That was true, but by this time in the course of his sufferings, which included also the false accusations and lack of sympathy from his friends, Job had lost his spiritual balance. The rest of his speech is not wise, does not display the fear of God that it should and focuses on himself rather than God.
In chapter 29 he longs to return to the joys, prosperity and honor of his former condition. There is nothing sinful in that, except perhaps that he has forgotten his own words to his wife in 2:10: “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” Job seems to be no longer willing to accept adversity.
In chapter 30 he begins by complaining of the change of treatment he was now receiving from sons of fools and vile men. And now I am their taunting song; Yes, I am their byword. They abhor me, they keep far from me; They do not hesitate to spit in my face (v.9,10).
He continues by complaining about what God has done to him: I cry out to You, but You do not answer me; I stand up, and You regard me. But You have become cruel to me; With the strength of Your hand You oppose me (v.20-21).
He even implies that God was being unjust. Have I not wept for him who was in trouble? Has not my soul grieved for the poor? But when I looked for good, evil came to me; And when I waited for light, then came darkness (v.25-26).
Finally, in chapter 31 he defends his own righteousness and wishes that he could contend with God. The whole chapter is full of variations on the theme, “If I have done evil, let my judgments be great.” Near the end of this passionate defense of himself he says, Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my mark. Oh, that the Almighty would answer me, That my Prosecutor had written a book! Surely I would carry it on my shoulder, And bind it on me like a crown; I would declare to Him the number of my steps; Like a prince I would approach Him (v.35-37).
He was sure that he could justify himself, if only the opportunity were given to him.
This was not right, and even Job’s foolish friends recognized it. “So these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes (32:1).”
It was at this point that Elihu, the fourth and youngest of the friends, began to set the other four straight. Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God. Also against his three friends his wrath was aroused, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job (32:2-3).
Because “great men are not always wise, nor do the aged always understand justice (v.9),” and because the other friends had found no answer for Job, Elihu decided that he must speak. That’s the thrust of chapter 32.
In the following chapters he takes Job apart piece by piece and shows him exactly where he had gone wrong. He says, I have heard the sound of your words, saying, ‘I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent, and there is no iniquity in me. Yet He [God] finds occasions against me, He counts me as His enemy (33:8-10).’
His argument was not that Job had lied about his righteousness. That’s what the others had said. Instead, his argument was essentially this, “Who do you think you are? Do you have a right to demand that God explain himself to you?” Look, in this you are not righteous. I will answer you, For God is greater than man. Why do you contend with Him? For He does not give an accounting of any of His words (v.12-13). Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom (v.33).
Job said, “I am righteous, but God has taken away my justice (34:5).” Elihu’s answer is simply, “Far be it from God to do wickedness, and from the Almighty to commit iniquity (v.10).” God is too great to be called to account by any of his creatures (v.17-30). “Job speaks without knowledge, his words are without wisdom (v.35).” “He adds rebellion to his sin… and multiplies his words against God (v.37).”
In chapter 35 he asks Job, “Do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s (v.2)?’” And his answer is, “The clouds are higher than you. Your transgressions do nothing to God. Your righteousness gives nothing to him. You say you do not see him, but justice is before him and you must wait for him. You multiply words without knowledge.”
In chapters 36 and 37, he continues along the same lines. “God is mighty in strength of understanding. He does not preserve the life of the wicked, but gives justice to the oppressed… Take heed, do not turn to iniquity, for you have chosen this rather than affliction… God is great, and we do not know him… He does great things which we cannot comprehend… Listen to this, O Job; Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God… Do you know how the clouds are balanced, those wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge? Why are your garments hot, when he quiets the earth by his south wind? With him have you spread out the skies?… Should he be told that I wish to speak?… With God is awesome majesty… Therefore men fear him.”
Elihu’s speech rings with truth. Fundamentally he said to Job, “You forget yourself. You are dust and sin, but God is righteous and great. Be wise: fear God and wait for him. That is the answer to your complaint.” Elihu taught Job the fear of the Lord that is wisdom. It is the same answer that God gave in the next chapters, but that we’ll save for the next article.