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CHAPTER 32 (ESV)

1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.

REFLECTION:

When Job, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zopha had nothing to say, Elihu became the fourth person to speak to Job. He appears to be a bystander and much younger than everyone else, but he introduces a novel perspective. When three of Job’s friends said that Job suffered from past sins, Elihu said that, unless Job confessed his current sins, he would continue to suffer. He believes that Job did not suffer because of sin, but sinned because of suffering. He pointed out that Job’s attitude became proud when he defended his innocence. Elihu also said that the pain is not to punish us, but to correct and revive us so that we are on the right path. There are many truths in Elihu’s words, but he still erroneously infers that pain is always related to sin to some extent, and that proper treatment of pain always leads to healing and recovery. The impressive part of this passage is that Elihu was angry with both Job and his three friends, and he was even more proud than Job and his three friends. We should be vigilant. Sometimes we, like Elihu, think we have the truth, but in fact we are blinded by pride!

PRAYER:

God, Your word teaches me that man’s anger does not produce the righteousness of God, and those who judge others will also be judged. I pray that You help me not to follow in Elihu’s footsteps, thinking I have grasped the truth, yet being blinded by pride. This not only fails to help my friends but also damages our relationships and brings shame to Your name. Please grant me a gentle and humble heart of empathy, so that I can truly understand others’ needs and speak words that are fitting.

HYMN:

When I Survey the Wondrous across – m.youtube.com/watch?v=Tkx8WAycYAc