1. Suffering: God’s Megaphone of Mercy Chapters 32-37

2. Eliphaz thought that his religious experience would solve Job’s problem of suffering. Eliphaz thought that his religious experience would solve Job’s problem of suffering. Bildad thought that his religious traditionalism would solve Job’s problem of suffering. Bildad thought that his religious traditionalism would solve Job’s problem of suffering. Zophar thought that his religious dogma would solve Job’s problem of suffering. Zophar thought that his religious dogma would solve Job’s problem of suffering.

3. Who was Elihu?

4. …at the right person …at the right person …for the right reason …for the right reason …to the right extent …to the right extent …in the right way …in the right way …at the right time …at the right time

5. Who was Elihu? Job 32:6-12 “So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said: "I am young in years, and you are old; that is why I was fearful, not daring to tell you what I know. 7 I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.' 8 But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. 9 It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right. 10 "Therefore I say: Listen to me; I too will tell you what I know. 11 I waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for words, 12 I gave you my full attention. But not one of you has proved Job wrong; none of you has answered his arguments.”

6. What was Elihu’s message? Chapter 32 Elihu rebukes Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Verse 12, “I gave you my full attention. But not one of you has proved Job wrong; none of you has answered his arguments.” Verse 12, “I gave you my full attention. But not one of you has proved Job wrong; none of you has answered his arguments.”

7. What was Elihu’s message? Chapter 33 Elihu turns his attention to Job. 33:8-10 “But you have said in my hearing-- I heard the very words--9 'I am pure and without sin; I am clean and free from guilt. 10 Yet God has found fault with me; he considers me his enemy.” 33:8-10 “But you have said in my hearing-- I heard the very words--9 'I am pure and without sin; I am clean and free from guilt. 10 Yet God has found fault with me; he considers me his enemy.”

8. What was Elihu’s message? In verse 33:13, “Why do you complain to him that he answers none of man's words?” Elihu claims that God speaks in three ways: God speaks through dreams and visions (vv 15-18) God speaks through dreams and visions (vv 15-18) God speaks through pain (vv 19-22) God speaks through pain (vv 19-22) God speaks through a mediating angel (vv 23-24) God speaks through a mediating angel (vv 23-24)

9. What was Elihu’s message? 33:14-18 “For God does speak-- now one way, now another-- though man may not perceive it. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds, 16 he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings, 17 to turn man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride, 18 to preserve his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword.”

10. What was Elihu’s message? 33:19-22 “ Or a man may be chastened on a bed of pain with constant distress in his bones, 20 so that his very being finds food repulsive and his soul loathes the choicest meal. 21 His flesh wastes away to nothing, and his bones, once hidden, now stick out. 22 His soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the messengers of death.”

11. What was Elihu’s message? 33:23-24 “Yet if there is an angel on his side as a mediator, one out of a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him, 24 to be gracious to him and say, 'Spare him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom for him'--”

12. Job had been asking for a Mediator: Job 9:33 “If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both,” Job 16:19-20 “Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God;” Job 19:25 “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.”

13. Elihu’s description of a mediating angel who will provide a ransom sounds very much like a prediction of Jesus. Elihu’s description of a mediating angel who will provide a ransom sounds very much like a prediction of Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men….” 1 Timothy 2:5-6 “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men….”

14. What was Elihu’s message? The old idea was that all suffering was caused by a person’s sin. The old idea was that all suffering was caused by a person’s sin. The new idea is: God has things to teach people that they can only learn through pain and suffering. The new idea is: God has things to teach people that they can only learn through pain and suffering. Suffering may not always be an example of God's anger but an example of God’s love. Suffering may not always be an example of God's anger but an example of God’s love.

15. C.S. Lewis The Problem of Pain “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world...”

16. What was Elihu’s message? 33:29, “God does all these things to a man - twice, even three times - to turn back his soul from the pit, that the light of life may shine on him.”

17. What was Elihu’s message? chapters 34 and 35 God’s justice. In 34:5, “Job says, ‘I am innocent, but God denies me justice. 6 Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’” In 34:5, “Job says, ‘I am innocent, but God denies me justice. 6 Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’” Elihu declares that it is impossible that God could ever be unjust. Elihu declares that it is impossible that God could ever be unjust. 34:12, “It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.” 34:12, “It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.”

18. What was Elihu’s message? 34:21-23 “"His eyes are on the ways of men; he sees their every step. 22 There is no dark place, no deep shadow, where evildoers can hide. 23 God has no need to examine men further, that they should come before him for judgment.”

19. What was Elihu’s message? chapters 36-37 God’s greatness 36:26, “How great is God—beyond our understanding!...” 36:26, “How great is God—beyond our understanding!...” 37:14, “Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders.” 37:14, “Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders.”

20. What was Elihu’s message? Job wanted to meet with God and argue his case. 13:3 “But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God.” But Elihu warned 37:21-22, “Now no one can look at the sun, bright as it is in the skies after the wind has swept them clean. 22 Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; God comes in awesome majesty.”

21. Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar Elihu A small view of God A more accurate view of God Sin leads to suffering Suffering also reveals sin Suffering is only for punishment Suffering is also educational They tell Job to repent He tells Job to learn Elihu contrasted with the three friends:

22. So what has Elihu accomplished? He broadened understanding of who God is and what God is like. He broadened understanding of who God is and what God is like.

23. So what has Elihu accomplished? He broadened understanding of who God is and what God is like. He broadened understanding of who God is and what God is like. Elihu helps us realize that though a person may be righteous, we all still have problems with sin. Elihu helps us realize that though a person may be righteous, we all still have problems with sin.

24. So what has Elihu accomplished? He broadened understanding of who God is and what God is like. He broadened understanding of who God is and what God is like. He helps us realize that though a person may be righteous, we all still have problems with sin. He helps us realize that though a person may be righteous, we all still have problems with sin. He says that suffering can be an educational tool used by God to move us toward spiritual maturity. He says that suffering can be an educational tool used by God to move us toward spiritual maturity.

25. 1 Peter 1:6–7 “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

26. Hebrews 12:10–11 “Our Father disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

27. James 1:2–4 “Therefore, count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”