Here is what God says about Job (twice) in chapters 1 & 2, "there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil." That is God's opinion of Job's character. Job then perseveres through his ordeal and does not lose his faith. God then says (twice) that Job has spoken rightly about him in chapter 42. Yes, Elihu is an accuser, and Elihu is wrong.
Do you have references for your extrapolations of Elihu not saying Job is punished for sin? As encouraged before, it's incumbent upon the reader to read what Elihu actually says. Here are a few examples:
1. Job 34:10,11, (Elihu speaking)
"Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding:
Far be it from God to do wickedness,
And from the Almighty to commit iniquity.
For He repays man according to his work,
And makes man to find a reward according to his way."
Elihu does not believe God would allow suffering unless there was a *cause*. So if Job is suffering, he is being punished for wrongdoing. Yet we already know this is not the case with Job.
2. Job 34:24-27 (Elihu speaking)
"He [God] breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry,
And sets others in their place.
Therefore He knows their works;
He overthrows them in the night,
And they are crushed.
He strikes them as wicked men
In the open sight of others,
Because they turned back from Him,
And would not consider any of His ways,"
Again, Elihu bloviating about why Job is suffering, and he is wrong. Job is suffering in the sight of others, but not for the reason Elihu believes.
3. Job 36:16,17 (Elihu speaking directly to Job)
“Indeed He would have brought you out of dire distress,
Into a broad place where there is no restraint;
And what is set on your table would be full of richness.
But you are filled with the judgment due the wicked;
Judgment and justice take hold of you."
Elihu is clearly declaring that Job is suffering because he is being judged for his wickedness. This as we know is blatantly false.
Do not be deceived by Elihu. Do not be seduced either into thinking he thinks differently than the 3 friends, despite how he phrases it. What makes Elihu even worse is that he not only has the same opinion about Job as his 3 friends, but Elihu is also sadistic about it.
Do you have references for your extrapolations of Elihu not saying Job is punished for sin? As encouraged before, it's incumbent upon the reader to read what Elihu actually says. Here are a few examples:
1. Job 34:10,11, (Elihu speaking)
"Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding:
Far be it from God to do wickedness,
And from the Almighty to commit iniquity.
For He repays man according to his work,
And makes man to find a reward according to his way."
Elihu does not believe God would allow suffering unless there was a *cause*. So if Job is suffering, he is being punished for wrongdoing. Yet we already know this is not the case with Job.
2. Job 34:24-27 (Elihu speaking)
"He [God] breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry,
And sets others in their place.
Therefore He knows their works;
He overthrows them in the night,
And they are crushed.
He strikes them as wicked men
In the open sight of others,
Because they turned back from Him,
And would not consider any of His ways,"
Again, Elihu bloviating about why Job is suffering, and he is wrong. Job is suffering in the sight of others, but not for the reason Elihu believes.
3. Job 36:16,17 (Elihu speaking directly to Job)
“Indeed He would have brought you out of dire distress,
Into a broad place where there is no restraint;
And what is set on your table would be full of richness.
But you are filled with the judgment due the wicked;
Judgment and justice take hold of you."
Elihu is clearly declaring that Job is suffering because he is being judged for his wickedness. This as we know is blatantly false.
Do not be deceived by Elihu. Do not be seduced either into thinking he thinks differently than the 3 friends, despite how he phrases it. What makes Elihu even worse is that he not only has the same opinion about Job as his 3 friends, but Elihu is also sadistic about it.