Biblical Studies From Job

Biblical Studies From The Book Of Job

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 From his words, we see both good and bad statements Good Ù he appears to be more tactful than “the 3 friends” in how he speaks to Job He uses more wisdom in approaching Job Bad Ù he makes some of the same “prejudicial” mistakes as did “the 3 friends” The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 From his words, we see both good and bad statements Based on this, some Bible students wonder whether or not Elihu really contributed to the dialogue In some ways, we believe he did…in other ways, he appears to be repetitious The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 His opening speech 32:6-22 His view of the situation vv Older, “wiser” men should speak first…therefore, he deferred to them vv. 6-7 But, God gives “understanding” to men…even the young v. 8 The old may not always be right vv The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 His opening speech 32:6-22 His first words to “the 3 friends” vv “I waited…I listened…” vv a Yet, he was disappointed in their attempts to answer Job v. 12b Thus, he instructs them to stop their claims of “We have wisdom..” v. 13 The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 His opening speech 32:6-22 His first words to “the 3 friends” vv He further admonishes and reassures them that he will not deal with Job as they had done v. 14 “Job has not arranged his words against me” … i.e., Elihu saw himself to be more objective toward the situation than were “the 3 friends” The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 His opening speech 32:6-22 His first words to Job vv He labels “the 3 friends” as dismayed (troubled), therefore, they could not answer v. 15 Elihu could wait no longer while they delayed… he could not remain silent vv He would speak impartially vv The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 More words to Job 33:1-33 He challenges Job vv. 1-7 He requests that Job listen to him, refute his words if he is able vv. 1-5 Elihu has the right to speak…like Job, God also made him out of the clay v. 6 Job should not be terrified (intimidated) v. 7 The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 More words to Job 33:1-33 He reviews some of Job’s words vv Job has at times spoken incorrectly re: God, how Job perceived He had dealt with him vv “Behold, let me tell you, you are not right in this.” He reminds Job that God is greater than man, and therefore should not so treated v. 12 The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 More words to Job 33:1-33 He rebukes Job’s complaints vv Man has no right to complain against God v. 13 Specifically, Elihu addresses Job’s complaint that God hadn’t answered Job vv God speaks in different ways…it is incumbent upon man to realize those times when He speaks The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 More words to Job 33:1-33 He rebukes Job’s complaints vv God tries to turn wayward man from his pride and from the pit (Sheol) vv God chastens man with pain…yes, life can then become very uncomfortable, vexing vv The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 More words to Job 33:1-33 He rebukes Job’s complaints vv Such a man should be “gracious” to those who tell him what he might need to hear vv An endorsement of “the 3 friends?” Such a man, when he recovers, will be able to encourage, teach others vv The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 More words to Job 33:1-33 He rebukes Job’s complaints vv Elihu tells Job that God “oftentimes” acts in such a way…his situation could be so vv Contrast his approach with that of “the friends” “Job, you are guilty of sin!” “Job, you may be guilty of sin.” The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 More words to Job 33:1-33 He rebukes Job’s complaints vv Elihu requests that Job listen to him before he might respond to what he has said vv The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 More words to “the 3 friends” 34:1-30 He rebukes them tactfully for how they had chosen their words vv. 1-4 He reminds them that one should always make sure one says “what is right” & “what is good” He reminds them of Job’s own words vv. 5-6 cp. 13:18 27:2 The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 More words to “the 3 friends” 34:1-30 He reminds them of Job’s own words vv. 5-6 cp. 13:18 27:2 Yet, he seems to agree with them re: Job’s “supposed” guilt vv. 7-9 Therefore, Elihu feels he must defend God against what Job has said vv The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 More words to “the 3 friends” 34:1-30 Therefore, Elihu feels he must defend God against what Job has said vv God will not do “wickedness” Ù i.e. oppress an innocent man v. 10 God “pays a man according to his work” v. 11 God is Sovereign, acts at His discretion vv The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 More words to “the 3 friends” 34:1-30 Elihu continues defending God vv The wicked will not rule because they hate God v. 17 God shows no partiality among men vv God is omniscient vv Job doesn’t need his “day in court” vv The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 More words to “the 3 friends” 34:1-30 Elihu continues defending God vv He deals with all men accordingly…especially those who “turned aside from following Him” vv If such a God chooses to “remain quiet”…who can question Him? vv The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 More rebuke to Job 34:31-37 Elihu asks “Has anyone (Job) said to God ‘I have borne (accepted) chastisement’?” v. 31 He rebukes Job for wanting his situation resolved on his own terms v. 33 He reminds Job that others will judge the situation differently than he has vv The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 More rebuke to Job 35:1-16 Re: what he had said vv. 1-8 Job had argued that righteous living was vain v. 3 cp. 9:30-31 God is so superior to man that He is not affected by man’s righteous or sinful conduct vv. 6-7 Not true!! cp. Gen 6:6 Eph 4:30 Psa 147:11 The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 More rebuke to Job 35:1-16 Re: his cries for God vv The oppressed cry out to God for relief from “the arm of the mighty”…not because they yearn for God their Maker vv Therefore, such cries are “empty” and God will not answer such “pride” vv The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 More rebuke to Job 35:1-16 Re: his cries for God vv In judging Job’s earlier cries for God, Elihu tells him he “must wait for God”…the “case is before Him” v. 14 He says Job is guilty of speaking “emptily” & multiplying words without knowledge vv The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 He feels the need to defend God 36:1-16 He believes there is still much to be said “on God’s behalf” v. 2 God is mighty, has used His power vv. 5-6 He deals with the righteous & wicked accordingly He is active in political affairs of men vv He rewards & punishes based on man’s conduct The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 He feels the need to defend God 36:1-16 He judges the “godless” and He delivers the “afflicted” vv Elihu then appeals to Job Ù perhaps God is using Job’s present situation to lead Job out of distress into a place of “no constraint” and “fatness” v. 16 The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 He continues his appeal to Job 36:17-23 Instead of being delivered, Job was being judged v. 17 Ù He now sounds like “the 3” Elihu then advises Job not to “scoff” at such judgment…it is from God v. 18 He also cautions Job to stop yearning for the “night” v. 20 cp. 3:3-10 The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 He continues his appeal to Job 36:17-23 He concludes his appeal by telling Job “Be careful, do not turn to evil” vv Job needs to stop judging God for how he perceives God is treating him The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job The Speeches Of Elihu 32:1 – 37:24 He exalts God’s power 36:24 – 37:24 Elihu exalts the powerful “God of judgment” he has just presented to Job Instead of judging God, Elihu tells Job he needs to “exalt” Him 36:24 “God is exalted and we do not know Him; the number of His years is unsearchable.” 36:26 The Dialogue Job 3:1 – 42:6

Biblical Studies From Job