Wow, what a breath of fresh air! New words and a new perspective. Today we meet Elihu a descendant of Abraham. Interestingly enough Elihu means "God is Jehovah." Jehovah is another form of the Hebrew word Yahweh and Yahweh translates as Praise Yahweh. I find this fascinating in light of the speech he gave to Job and his friends. The young whipper-snapper showed respect to his elders however, you can hear in his words, he knew what he was talking about. I do wonder, where did he come from? Was he walking along and just decided to join these men or was he divinely appointed?
I had to investigate. It was suggested in one commentary that I read that perhaps Elihu was sent by God. As I reread 33:21-27 I tend to lean toward this suggestion. If you have minute, go back and reread those verses. Tell me what you think.
This young men spoke with assurance, wisdom and confidence. He spoke of the "Almighty" as if he had personal knowledge of Him. Unlike the Job's other friends, Elihu spoke with the power of the spirit within. (Verse 32:18) He did not spend his time bashing Job but instead he used his words to talk about the fairness of God. He said two things that stopped me and made me ponder.
I have prayed for you today. Keep up the good the work. Remember if you miss, keep going. Don't be overwhelmed. We are looking for one nugget of truth. I am crazy about our adventure together!
I had to investigate. It was suggested in one commentary that I read that perhaps Elihu was sent by God. As I reread 33:21-27 I tend to lean toward this suggestion. If you have minute, go back and reread those verses. Tell me what you think.
This young men spoke with assurance, wisdom and confidence. He spoke of the "Almighty" as if he had personal knowledge of Him. Unlike the Job's other friends, Elihu spoke with the power of the spirit within. (Verse 32:18) He did not spend his time bashing Job but instead he used his words to talk about the fairness of God. He said two things that stopped me and made me ponder.
- God speaks time and time again though people do not recognize it. (33:14) I shudder to think of what I have missed God saying to me because I did know how to recognize His voice. The sheep know the Shepherds voice. Let's get to know it intimately so we don't miss anything.
- God carefully watches all we do. (34:21) I loved this so much I had to look it up in another translation. Let these words sink into the marrow of your belief system. "For His eyes are on the ways of man, and He sees all His steps."(NASB) Isn't that awesome? And perhaps a little frightening."
Keeping this verse in the forefront of our mind will help us walk the narrow way.
I have prayed for you today. Keep up the good the work. Remember if you miss, keep going. Don't be overwhelmed. We are looking for one nugget of truth. I am crazy about our adventure together!
14 Comments:
Wendy - you are such a blessing to us all! I am wrestling with much strife in my life and find seeking God first each day and then reading your comments at 5 a.m. help me begin my day with renewal in knowing God's mercies are new every morning! I am enjoying this journey with Job and feel hopeful! Knowing that God will bless us all if we stay true to Him and His word!
Thank you for being such a great witness to us all!
Good Morning Wendy and all,
First I liked 32:8 It reminds me of the wisdom we were talking about yesterday, Then I also thought it was great that Elihu was talking of God being Just. I underlined 33:14-16 I have had those times when God spoke to me an was urging me to turn from a situation. One more nugget, vs 34:10 "The Almighty can do no wrong" Isn't it refreshing in a world filled with so much worldliness :) that we have the one and only true sinless God on our sides. Full of mercy and grace and Love for us each and every day. Those were my nuggets for the day.
Blessings,
Lynn - OR
Hmmm...don't know where Elihu came from...I sort of got the impression he was just there listening to the others and waiting his turn. Job 32:4,5 says, "Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older than he. But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily." You present an interesting idea. Something to check out further.
I wrote my post today on Job 33:14. Too often I think it's not that God isn't speaking, it's that we are not positioning ourselves to hear. Recognition of His voice comes with time spent in His presence. Oh how I want to be passionately pursing Him.
Listening,
Joy
Joyful
I read the verses and thought exactly the same thing. However, 2:11 says Job's three friends. Mmm? Something to think about.
Hello Ladies,
I am delighted that we are finding inspiration in this dialogue with Job and friends! Wendy, I agree that Elihu has shaken things up a bit and I am intrigued by the idea that he was sent by God to this gathering.
I also was struck by the passages that many of you have cited: Job 32:8, 33:14-18, and 23-24. I also underlined Job 33:29-30 - "Yes, God does these things again and again for people. He rescuses them from the grave so they may enjoy the light of life." Jesus is the light of the world and it is He that redeemed us and gives us eternal life. I see in these verses the promise of things to come.
Thank you all again for this wonderful fellowship! Be blessed today!
Karen
Elihu is not one of the three friends, whom God rebukes at the end. I had noticed Elihu mentioned to Job, "You have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard your very words." Making me think Elihu was a by-stander... yet when he began to speak I wondered if Elihu was an angel, or messenger, sent as a precursor to God'speech - you know, the opening act?! (Although Elihu did say he was formed from clay, just as Job was.)
Elihu is warning Job about "his thirst for irreverent talk" (vs 34:7).
Did you notice how God usually gives a warning? He warned Abraham that He would destroy Sodom & Gomorrah, yet allowed Abraham to save Lot's family. God warned Noah that He would flood the earth to destroy humans, yet allowed Noah 120 years to build and preach repentence to the people. God warned pharoah in a dream that He would bring a great famine, yet He allowed Joseph to interpret and set up a plan to be prepared.
God demonstrates the discipline of a loving father. He gives a warning that allows us to change our behavior. If we choose to obey, we are spared the discipline. If we choose to rebel, we suffer the consquences.
God is warning Job, through Elihu, that his behavior is disobedient. As Wendy mentioned in verse 33:14, "For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it."
Job can chose to disregard this "young whippersnapper", or he can have a receptive heart to listen... "Is God trying to tell me something through this person?"
Wow Wendy...your post really was like a "lightbulb" for me. I think you interpreted it correctly; especially after re-reading 33:21-28. I have read Job before, and when reading it today I thought, "where did this 4th guy come from?" I hadn't remembered him. It is so amazing how new the Bible is everyday!
I wondered in Job 34:2 if Elihu didn't say that in a mocking way? Like, "you who think you're so smart, listen up".
This was a good read for me.
Still chillin' in Minnesota
Morgen
Hello to Wendy and all my other new Job reading blog friends. Thank you for all these true nuggets to think about.
I was having a hard time finding a nugget today in the reading, but ended up finding one in the notes of the NLT Life Application Bible. I thought I would share it with you too.
This is what some of the note said regarding Job 32:2.
"...While Job's three friends said he was suffering from some past sins, Elihu said Job's suffering would not go away until he realized his present sin. He maintained that Job wasn't suffering because of his sin; he was sinning because of his suffering.
...[However]Elihu still wrongly assumed that a correct response to suffering always brings healing and restoration (33:23-30) and that suffering is always in some way connected to sin (34:11)."
I don't know about you, but this note emphasized for me again that only in trusting God's higher purpose, rather than our own understanding, can we make it through trials. Sometimes we must just hang on and trust, rather than trying to figure it all out.
Speaking of small trials, I sure would appreciate some prayer. I am in the midst of the stomach flu here at my house. I love my children dearly, and know I should appreciate the time with them, but this is no fun at all.
Thanks for praying. Hope everyone else is doing well.
Wendy,
Thank You for this study. I am keeping you and all these ladies in prayer before I read. Thank you all for the wonderful comments.
Thank You Jesus,
Debra
Awesome comments everyone!
My nugget: God has three answers to prayers, Yes, No and Wait. He heard every question Job asked him, but his answer was wait and at the appointed time I will deliver. When we can't trace the hand of God, we must trust the heart of God. He is faithful!
Debbie - North Carolina
thanks everyone for sharing, i enjoy reading every day althought i don't always get a chance to respond.
I think today was a breath of fresh air too!! I have had to reread a lot today because i have no idea how i missed 33:14! Thanks for sharing your revelations!!
Good pondering the who is Elihu question?? I also wondered. I think December Rose may have a point...
Love you all and praying for you ladies!
Hi reading friends. This is my first post, I did not originally sign up to read this through this year when Wendy posted it back in November, but felt led to begin once this year got underway. I am so glad I did and today's reading was one of the most meaningful of all that I have read so far. I love verse 34:21 that Wendy pointed out and I also underlined all the ones she had mentioned. Glad to be on this journey with all you ladies!
Brandee, TN
WOW....Elihu is really passionate about his God!
Questions I pondered:
How often are we called upon to defend God and when we are finished have we persuaded anyone for the cause of Christ?
For I have not finished defending God!I will present profound arguments for the righteousness of my Creator. Job 36:3
Can we comprehend the love God has for everyone, not just those who serve him.
“God is mighty, but he does not despise anyone! Job 36:5
What are we doing instead of.....
Instead, glorify his mighty works,
singing songs of praise. Job 36:24
Debbie - North Carolina
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