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Yes, these verses are Job's words about what he was experiencing. Because he did not know what was happening behind the scenes (as the reader does), he was experiencing his suffering as God being angry with him, as a form of punishment for wrongdoing. How else could he have taken it under the...

Thank you. Good question. The words of the three friends are all over the place. I would not say there is no truth in them whatsoever (as you have pointed out Paul quoting in the NT). What I would say, however, is that they were applying "right" principles (at times) to the wrong situation...

Yes, that's true you have provided verses to your point to this before. I guess we keep bumping into the points where we disagree. Regarding Elihu's statement about Job adding rebellion to his sin, to me that reads as Elihu taking the same position as Job's friends. It seems Elihu is also...

I have considered Elihu to be right and good, and I have also considered other alternatives. My approach was to try and understand him and his role in this story regardless of pre-conceived notions either way. I just wanted to understand him, and what I believe was revealed was shocking. Have...

The word in Hebrew that satan uses is yə·ḇā·ră·ḵe·kā, which only appears 2 times in the Bible. So it is very difficult to cross reference. Yes, "barak" can mean bless, but it can also mean curse, according to Strongs. Either way, the point of what satan is saying is that Job will abandon his...

It's kind of amazing how someone is able to believe Elihu because Elihu (alone) claims he should be believed. And yet, when Job says he is speaking true, these same lovers of Elihu don't believe Job - even though God Himself affirms Job! Truly astounding.

This is very helpful. Thank you. Referring to 9:17, was job not broken by a tempest? Were his wounds not multiplied without cause? These things are true. These things did happen to Job, and much more besides. This is a perfect example of why God says that Job has spoken rightly of Him (God)...

God is asking Job a question. I know I have asked this before, but it seems it needs to be asked again. What is Job's answer to God? The question posed regards *how* God is communicating with Job and *how* Elihu is communicating with Job. Again, most of Elihu's words are full of judgment and...

Elihu is angry with Job and his friends (two separate parties), but the fact that he is angry is written four times in the text. Hebrew repeats things twice to create emphasis, so reiterating it four times is a way to emphasize just how angry Elihu is. Elihu even expresses it himself when he...

We have discussed this point already, namely God declaring Job has spoken rightly of Him (God). We can agree to disagree on this one because, as I have stated, the comparison being made are the words of the three friends and the words of Job in chapters 4 - 31. I see how you would want to bend...

Elihu (continued). There are some reasonable questions that seem to go unanswered regarding Elihu. Can anyone offer answers to any of these questions? For those who are vigilant defenders of this character, how would you answer these? 1. It states *four* times in the text that Elihu is angry...

It seems like your implication of sacrificing the integrity of the Bible is quite a heavy-handed way to make your argument. I don't believe anyone here is interested in doing that, and challenging held views, discussing the substance, and wrestling with understanding this book is ultimately a...

Thank you for your message and for discussing Elihu. I think it is vitally important, and it seems he is one of the most difficult characters in all of Scripture to understand, in my opinion. Most people are divided in their opinion of him, so thank you for having this discussion. As for...

Yes, I have noticed these parallels between Elihu's speech and God's speech. It is very clear, and I think quite relevant to what is happening in the story. However, it may be for a different reason than you believe. Aside from highlighting these parallels, the conclusion you wrote is that...

Thank you. Such good commentary here. I think people get hung up on the word "repent" at the end of the story. I wrestled with it a lot, and this word seems to trigger "sin" in people's minds. Therefore, they conclude Job is in sin during this ordeal. This is too simplistic, I think, and it does...

You agreed that "yes" you believe Job sinned to incur his suffering. Then you write that "sin really isn't on the table." Which is it? Do you believe Job sinned to incur his suffering or not? If you read other things I've posted, I don't think you would assume I only know the first two...

So your answer to the question is "yes"? You do believe Job is suffering because of his sin. And your position is that it is to bring Job's sin to light so Job can respond appropriately. Got it. Have you wondered why we are not told this about Job in the beginning of the story in chapters 1 &...

So your position is that Job is suffering because of his sins (pride and self-reliance). Is that right? Am I understanding you correctly?

This is so good. Thank you for laying this all out. I heartily agree with so many of these parallels you have provided here. I think we are looking at the same thing in much the same way, however, I look at it with a much different mindset. Elihu is clearly making that connection between Job's...

First of all, I agree with you that Job grew as a person as a result of his ordeal. Seeing God at the end of the story must have been Job's biggest revelation ever, I would conclude. He could never have been the same after that. Now for Job's blamelessness, this is not to imply that he never...