Ezekiel says, Eze 18:26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
Elihu, Saint or Satan?
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Ezekiel says, Eze 18:26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
Job was indeed as righteous as any man could be at that time. However, he did not know God. That was his real problem. God never did explain Himself to Job and Job did not ask. Job most likely was a king with vast resources. There were believers outside of Israel, not in the covenant but who knew about God and tried to follow His ways as best they could. Abraham had six more sons, none of whom were included in Israel.
One example is the Midianites, direct descendants of Abraham. Moses married into the tribe and his father in law Jethro came to see him after Israel left Egypt.
Job's experience tells us that God wants relationship, not just obedient slaves. We were created to be sons in His image. Eternal life is knowing God, not living the best life that you can. I have a righteousness that exceeds that of Job, wisdom greater than Solomon, love that is greater than any man's and peace that the world cannot give. I have Jesus. It's good enough for God.
Hello again tttallison, oddly, all of the teaching and sermons that I've heard over the years, and as far as I can recollect, all of the commentaries that I've studied, have many more negative things to say about Job's (older/three) "comforters" than they do about any of the things that Elihu had to say (perhaps, at least in part, because God rebukes the older three directly (Job 42:7-8), but never does so (again, if memory serves), either directly or indirectly, concerning anything that Elihu had to say).
So, I will now go back through my notes and my commentaries and look for evidence of what you've said (and I'll come back and let you know what I find, Dv).
I'm also hoping that you will point me/us to a some of the commentaries (or other resources) that you are referring to, the ones that paint such a negative picture of Elihu, that is (so that we can read them for ourselves).
Thank you!
God bless you!!
~Deuteronomy
Job 42
7 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.”
True. God was not angry with Elihu and did not require Elihu to offer a sacrifice for his input.
Job 42:7 And 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.
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You are right in that the three friends get beat on much more than Elihu. I haven't read hardly anyone that hasn't said something negative about Elihu. Take Charles Swindoll for instance, in his interactive study guide on Job he states that Job is pompous, dogmatic and opinionated. Swindoll also states that Job was a little less wrong than his three friends. He also said Elihu was a little less guilty, and his pride had to come down a few notches.
Anyone reading this study guide of Swindoll would come away with a bias outlook on Elihu, due to Swindoll's prominence. Swindoll also stated that Elihu was a friend of Job's numerous times, in spite of no scripture supporting that opinion. And in fact the opposite is true. Elihu states he feared speaking to Job out of respect for his age. Job also attested to the fact that all the young men were afraid of him. Elihu hardly qualified as a friend of Job, but definitely as a judge.
Elihu himself states that he stood in the place of God at Job's request to God for such a man. Job 9:32-35 For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both. Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me: Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.
Job had made it quite clear that he didn't trust God to be his judge. Job 9:23-24 If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent. The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?
Job had requested a mediator from God that was made of clay, someone whose rod would not be heavy, and who would not scare him. He asked God twice for this. Elihu professes to be the man that God sent to satisfy Job's request. This is the reason God did not correct Elihu. Elihu was doing God's bidding, and was speaking with authority of God. To some Elihu seemed brash, but he was only doing God's bidding.
God states Job reproved him in Job 40:2 and is the reason that God said to Job, in Job 40:8, "Will you condemn me so that you might be righteous?" And is the reason Elihu said in Job 35:2, "Do you think it is right for you to declare yourself more righteous than God."
Elihu is only doing the bidding of God, but people have a problem with Elihu condemning Job because it doesn't fit their narrative of Job. God never said Job was righteous. God said Job was upright, and their is a big difference from being righteous, and being upright. Jesus was righteous, and the word here means without blemish. Job had many blemishes. He cursed the day he was born. He said God would laugh at the trial of the innocent, and cover the eyes of the judges. God accused Job of having a covenant with the king over the children of pride.
The bible never states the cause for God setting Satan on Job, but it should be evident to the careful reader that it was to save Job's soul. Elihu said,----
Job 33:17-25 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth:
If those verses above are not a picture of salvation, what is?
God states Job reproved him in Job 40:2 and is the reason that God said to Job, in Job 40:8, "Will you condemn me so that you might be righteous?" And is the reason Elihu said in Job 35:2, "Do you think it is right for you to declare yourself more righteous than God."
Elihu is only doing the bidding of God, but people have a problem with Elihu condemning Job because it doesn't fit their narrative of Job. God never said Job was righteous. God said Job was upright, and their is a big difference from being righteous, and being upright. Jesus was righteous, and the word here means without blemish. Job had many blemishes. He cursed the day he was born. He said God would laugh at the trial of the innocent, and cover the eyes of the judges. God accused Job of having a covenant with the king over the children of pride.
The bible never states the cause for God setting Satan on Job, but it should be evident to the careful reader that it was to save Job's soul. Elihu said,----
Job 33:17-25 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth:
If those verses above are not a picture of salvation, what is?
When did Job ever state he was more righteous than God?
Elihu was falsely accusing Job of something he had not done.
Just like the other 3 "friends" trying to tell Job he must have done something wrong for God to punish him.
When he stated he was righteous---Job 27:6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
And when he stated God was not---Job 9:23-24 If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent. The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?
Job 27:6 Does not say he is more righteous than God.
And Job 9:23-24 is not talking about God.
Do you really think God laughs at the trials of the innocent?
Obviously Job thought God laughs at the trials of the innocent.
You have a form of Job worship, otherwise you would not say that Job 9:23-24 is not about Job talking to God.