{"id":472,"date":"2026-07-23T14:24:48","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T18:24:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/?p=472"},"modified":"2026-07-23T14:24:48","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T18:24:48","slug":"elihu-gods-messenger-job-32-37","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/?p=472","title":{"rendered":"Elihu \u2013 God\u2019s Messenger Job 32-37"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of the Godly examples of men in the Bible, Elihu stands apart as he sets the stage for God to speak to Job from the whirlwind. As John the Baptist heralds the arrival of Christ, Elihu [unknown to him] sets the stage for God to speak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Setting:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Job\u2019s life has been changed dramatically by apparently tragic circumstances with the loss of his children and substance, and he receives visitors that sit at length with him \u2013 initially to comfort, but later become critical \u2013 even as Job sits in physical misery from an attack from the enemy on his health. Even Job\u2019s wife adds to Job\u2019s misery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Background:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Job lived in the time of exile or just afterwards, is not an Israelite, and no mention is made of the Law. Ezekiel mentions him twice in chapter 14 with the words \u201cdeliver their own souls by their righteousness.\u201d When Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite arrive [which may have taken months to get to Job], see him, weep, and rend their clothes \u2013 then they sit for seven days and nights before Job begins to speak. Elihu is present but remains silent. What can we learn from Elihu?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Who is Elihu?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Elihu is noted as the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram. Elihu signifies \u201cMy God is he\u201d and he\u2019s said to be a Buzite, from Buz, Nahor&#8217;s second son (Gen. 22:21), and of the kindred of Ram, that is, Aram (so some), from where the Syrians or Aramites descended and were denominated, Gen. 22:21. Of the kindred of Abram; so the Chaldee-paraphrase, supposing him to be first called Ram-high, then Abram-a high father, and lastly Abraham-the high father of a multitude. Elihu was not so well known as the rest, and therefore is more particularly described thus. The account of Nahor in Genesis 22 is from approximately 1870-1850 BC, which precedes the Exodus, Moses, and subsequent to Abraham\u2019s encounter with God on Mount Moriah. Abraham may have been Elihu\u2019s great uncle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our Elihu is younger than Job and his three \u201cfriends\u201d, and waits patiently for his opportunity to speak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What is the character of Elihu?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Godly \u2013 Elihu displays a passionate sense of God as a Gentile believer, long before Peter is sent to the Gentiles in the Book of Acts.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>God\u2019s Sovereignty &#8211; Job 37:23 \u201cTouching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>God\u2019s Justice Job 34:10 \u201cTherefore hearken unto me ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. 11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways. 12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.\u201d Elihu understands that the sovereign God is also a Just and Holy God, and that sin does not touch Him.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>God\u2019s \u201cgrand purpose\u201d. More will be said on this later.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Patient \u2013 he waits for the others to finish speaking before he begins\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Job 32:11\u00a0\u201cBehold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.\u201d This is a talent lost in our culture now as most feel they have something important to say and are not willing to wait their turn. Our instant gratification culture where news ages out by the hour, and people connected to the world wide web does not give space to waiting for another to finish before speaking. Too often words are launched in conversation before one\u2019s mind is able to determine what the next appropriate word should be. This causes a barrage of over-talking others, and is impolite and coarse. I can be guilt of this myself.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Respectful \u2013 as he is the youngest in the group, he knows his place in the conversation\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Job 32:4 \u201cNow Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.\u201d This is another weakness in our culture as everyone seems to have something more important to say than the next person. Social media has given everyone an elevated sense of self-importance, and the young feel that older generations have nothing important to say. The age of Elihu\u2019s companions is respected as they have life experiences that he does not yet have. In a prior generation, it was said that children \u201cshould be seen and not heard\u201d, and younger generations would learn much by setting this order to their lives in in their own household. 1 Timothy 3:4 sets out the elder and \u201cOne that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity.\u201d This should be considered for all men with children whether desiring the position of a bishop \/ elder \/ deacon or not: they should order their lives in such a way they are not excluded from any future considerations if the need arises in the church.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 5<sup>th<\/sup> Commandment \u201cHonor thy father and mother\u201d was not written in Elihu\u2019s day, but he represents a sense of this. Deep study into this commandment will show that not just your biological father and mother should be honored, but their siblings and your grandparents should be honored. This is not a suggestion at all. Studying the older writers that have written on the 5<sup>th<\/sup> Commandment such as Louis Berkhof, Hermann Bavinck, Wilhelmus a\u2019Brakel will detail that all of those in your life that have position over you \u2013 such as managers and bosses \u2013 should be entreated with honor because God has set them up over you for His Divine purpose, and Christ is honored when you honor those persons placed in your life by God\u2019s Providence. We have God\u2019s written Law that commands this honor, and breaking this honor breaks God\u2019s order set forth in His Word.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Observant \u2013 he listens carefully to what is being said \u2013 both from Job and his three friends. This hearkens back to my point on patience.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is one thing to hear and entirely another to listen. In Job 33:8 \u201cSurely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, 9 \u201cI am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.\u201d This was early in the meeting with Job, and Elihu paid careful attention to what was being said by Job and his friends. Again \u2013 this is a talent not seen now. Opinions are rendered and verdicts given in simple conversation before the conversation concludes too often. God gives man one mouth but two ears. Ecclesiastes 5:5 \u201cKeep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. 2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. 3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool&#8217;s voice is known by multitude of words.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Passionate \u2013 Elihu delivers a long and passionate speech when it\u2019s his turn\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Job 32:18 \u201cFor I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me. 19 Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.\u201d He has been sitting patiently awaiting his own turn after his elders had finished speaking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Courageous \u2013 when he speaks, he commands the attention of his listeners\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Job 32:9 \u201cGreat men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. 10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. 11 Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say. 12 Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words: 13 Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man. 14 Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In spite of him being junior in years to his audience, Elihu delivers a pointed response politely, but with high impact so that his listeners stopped v15 \u201cThey were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.\u201d That Hebrew word pronounced \u201ckhaw-thath&#8217;\u201d is more direct and explicit than the English translation. They were shattered, broken, and dismayed, as noted by the Qal tense. The English translation does this no justice. What Elihu said had a great impact on those men \u2013 Job included.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Upright \u2013 this event happens before the Law is given, and displays the truth of God\u2019s Moral Law being written on the heart and in the conscience.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Elihu speaks as the opening act for what God is going to say. He speaks much about God\u2019s sovereignty in all areas, and God drives the point home in Chapter 38 and following.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Purpose \u2013 he is able to see through the argument and summarize what has been said. Summary is a gift from God.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Job\u2019s three friends fail to comfort him and declare that this suffering came upon because of some secret sin he committed \u2013 Job declares himself and his humility before God, and the three friends neglect to draw a conclusion. They all support the justice of God, but do so in a clumsy way guessing that there must be some mechanical way Job can act to restore himself before God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The abundance of words from Job and his friends begin to move in a direction charging God with being unfair, and all four set themselves up in self-righteousness. By the way, Elihu sufferers a little from this as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar assume that God always blesses the righteous outwardly, God always sends severe suffering only as punishment for particular sins &#8211; therefore Job must be concealing horrible guilt. They do not and cannot see meaning in suffering, and this young man is about to correct their error. We see in Job 33:27 \u201cHe looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; 28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. 29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, 30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.\u201d Job\u2019s friends only see suffering as a verdict \u2013 and that Job must have done something to deserve this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a contrast, Elihu states purpose in suffering. Suffering and affliction may be: corrective, preventative, instructive, sanctifying, and not merely punitive. This is a profound change in the discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">David states this: Psalm 119:71 \u201cIt is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many other verses say the same:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Psalm 119:67 \u201cBefore I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Psalm 94:12 \u201cBlessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1 Corinthians 11:32 \u201cBut when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hebrews 12:10 \u201cFor they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hebrews 12:11 \u201cNow no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Elihu\u2019s Speech:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When God enters the conversation in Job 38, it is immediately after Elihu states this: 23 \u201cTouching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict. 24 Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.\u201d The first statement in chapter 38 is \u201cThen God answered Job\u2026\u201d Job wanted answers, yet God never answers him. The first order is that God shows that Job\u2019s friends [and maybe even to an extent Elihu] have words without knowledge, and that Job needs to stand up, gird up, and answer God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the most self-revelatory statement from God in scripture. He declares His omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence across five chapters of scripture. God only declares Himself, and Job is abased. God then directly confronts Eliphaz [the likely leader of the three], and commands them this: Job 42:7 \u201cAnd it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. 8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job. 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the Lord commanded them: the Lord also accepted Job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">God never correct Elihu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What can we learn from this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1. Godly people seek out God\u2019s Will and we have hope in His sovereignty. Although a young man, Elihu rests on the fact God\u2019s hand is on his life as well as his friend\u2019s lives. There is nothing that comes to you apart from a divine ordination from God, and when tests and affliction come, we need to praise God for His goodness still, and find joy. James 1 tells us: v2 \u201cMy brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.\u201d God desires you to be perfect and entire \u2013 this is His way of sanctification in your life \u2013 conforming you into the image of Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2. The man or woman of God needs to be upright in life and practice. It is easy to be Christian in church, but you must also be Christian when no one is watching \u2013 when you are with the counsel of your own mind. Many say \u201cdo the right thing\u201d, but this is even more clear when there is no accolade coming and no one is watching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">3. The Christian should be patient and respectful with others. The world wants everything yesterday, and we should be different from the world. This goes to the work of sanctification in yourself and others. You may not know what another believer is working through in God\u2019s work of sanctification in their life. Which leads to the next point:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">4. Be observant. Read and hear the Word of God first for yourself. What impact can this have on me? How about those around me? Do not be so self-absorbed that you miss God\u2019s work in others around you. A kind word to another can go a long way with them. It doesn\u2019t cost you a thing to be kind and observant to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">5. Knowing your place. First \u2013 do not usurp the work of the Holy Spirit in another. You are not the Holy Spirit. Next \u2013 in the hierarchy of the family, God is first, the man is second, the wife is next, then the children. This is a difficult thing to say in our culture, but know your place. If you have parents and grandparents, God has given them to you for a reason. Honor that reason and respect the order that God has decreed and expressed in His commands. If you are an employee, respect the order that God has set. If you are an employer or manager, know that you are accountable before God for how you treat your employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">6. Have courage, passion, and purpose. God has placed you here in this time for a reason. His Word will not return void, but it will accomplish its purpose. Christianity is under fire and the days are short \u2013 be burning bright for Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are a Christian, you already have a purpose and reason. If you have a question, seek the face of God in His Word. If you are not a Christian, the command of Christ from Mark 1:15 still stands \u2013 \u201cRepent and believe the Gospel\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Of the Godly examples of men in the Bible, Elihu stands apart as he sets the stage for God to speak to Job from the whirlwind. As John the Baptist heralds the arrival of Christ, Elihu [unknown to him] sets the stage for God to speak. Setting: Job\u2019s life has been changed dramatically by apparently &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/?p=472\" class=\"more-link\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Elihu \u2013 God\u2019s Messenger Job 32-37&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-472","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/472","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=472"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/472\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":473,"href":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/472\/revisions\/473"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=472"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=472"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=472"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}