“So these three men ceased to answer Job,” and Job himself had no more to say. Now Elihu comes in and he is truly one put forward by God to bring down the pride of the older men who had not spoken in a way that was worthy of Himself. Elihu belonged to the family of Nahor, the brother of Abraham. He is a young man, and had listened attentively all through the unsatisfactory discussion, which proved to be unprofitable to man and not to God’s honor. He felt reluctantly forced to speak in the presence of those older men from whom he would gladly have learned the mind of God if they had taught it. Elihu had learned that spiritual wisdom is from God Himself, and not from age, experience or tradition. The believer is taught of God not to depend upon the wisdom or experience be has accumulated, valuable as that may be, but that there is the need of constant dependence upon Himself for every circumstance. Elihu’s wrath was kindled against Job because he justified himself rather than God, and against his three friends because they had condemned him though they had not understood his case. The object of Elihu’s address is to show that God acts in grace and blessing to deliver man from evil, and to chastise him and break him down. Job was a righteous man but he needed God’s discipline.
Elihu begins by saying, “I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid,” to speak. “I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.” But now since there was no answer in the mouth of these men, he would speak. So he goes on to say, “But there is a spirit in [mortal] man.” It is the higher part of man which he did not lose at the fall, and by which the breath of the Almighty giveth him understanding. But man could not reach this understanding by his reasoning, for, said he, “Great men are not always wise, neither do the aged understand judgment.” We learn from 1 Corinthians 1:2121For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. (1 Corinthians 1:21), how that “After that in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” It is a sad thing that Satan has so stolen the hearts of men and so filled them with pride in their own wisdom, that the communication of God’s thoughts to them are received as foolishness. Elihu feels that they could not answer Job because they would have said they had found wisdom. He had listened to their reasonings and says, “God will make him yield, not man.” Furthermore he goes on to say, Job had not directed his words against him, and he would not answer him with their speeches. They were all amazed at what Job had spoken, and he had waited for them to speak, but words failed them. Then he says, “Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither will I give flattery to man; for I know not how to flatter; my Maker would soon take me away.”
Job had asked for a mediator to stand between him and God. Now he has one speaking to him on God’s behalf, and thus Elihu becomes a type of the Lord Jesus who is the “one Mediator between God and men.” 1 Tim. 2:55For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1 Timothy 2:5).
Elihu begins, in chapter 33 by addressing his words to Job, He requests of Job that he hearken to him and if he can answer him to set his words in order. Elihu takes a very humble place, saying “I also am formed out of the clay,” the same as Job. He would not attempt to add terror or make Job afraid.
ML-07/10/1960