Job, Chapters 32 and 33
We are now introduced to another person when Job's friends can say no more to convince him that he is wicked. and that God is Punishing him, and when Job himself has said all that he can think of to say with truth in his own favor, He was suffering as much as ever, for neither the advice of his friends, nor his own thoughts about himself had brought any relief. Elihu turned the thoughts of all to God, for he speaks for Him.
We shall find God speaking too, later, but Job's wish for one to come between himself and God (chapter 9:32-35; chapter 16:21) is first answered in the person of Elihu.
Chapter 32 is introductory, and in it Elihu tells the three friends that they were wrong in what they said to Job. None of them had answered. what the sufferer said, though they tried hard enough to do so,
In chapter 33, Elihu tells Job that he was there, a man like himself, to speak for God; he had heard Job's bitter words, and they were not right. Why strive against God? He gives no account of any of His matters.
In the verses following (14-28) God has given a remarkably full account of His ways with man from the earliest times, which is beyond anything else in the Old Testament. It is almost the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15, but Elihu 'lid. not know, and could not tell of a crucified, dead and risen Saviour, or of the new nature now given to everyone that believes in Jesus.
God speaks once, twice, and man perceives it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, He will open men's ears, and seal their instruction, that He may draw them away from. their work, and hide pride from them, He keeps back their souls from the pit of hell, and their lives from passing away by the sword. illness conies, aches and pains; the wished for food is gone, and the sick one is wasting away; his bones that were not stick out. He draws near to death.
At such a time, if there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand –- Elihu was that now, but the Holy Spirit is the real Interpreter of God's Word, to show to man his duty, or his uprightness, that is, in judging himself, then God will be gracious to him, and say,
"Deliver him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom !"
That is as far as God's Word could tell before the Son of His love came into the world to save sinners. He had "found a ransom," but the price was not yet paid; His Son must die for the ungodly, a ransom for all. (Romans 5; 1 Timothy 2:66Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (1 Timothy 2:6)),
In verse 25 is presented the new birth spoken of by the Lord to Nicodemus in John 3, and verse 26 follows with the sinner in prayer to God, and received by Him, ("Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out," John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)).
He, this converted one, shall see His face with shootings, and He will render unto man His righteousness. This is a look onward to eternity (See 1 John 3:22Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2); 1 Thessalonians 4:1717Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17); Romans 8:30-3430Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:30‑34); Revelation 5:9, 109And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (Revelation 5:9‑10)).
Verses 27 and 28 are connected with the present privilege of confession of Christ before men, and seeking to bring others to the blessed knowledge of Himself,
God has been, we see doing these things that verses 14 to 28 tell of, constantly from before Job's early day, only in the New Testament there is more, for a Saviour is now proclaimed (See Romans 10:5-135For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. 6But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:5‑13)).
Messages of God’s Love 12/22/1929