Ask anyone in the church today, pastors included, if Elihu, in the biblical book of Job, was acting the part of God in rebuking Job and his friends, and you're virtually assured an "Elihu Who?" answer. It wasn't always that way, However, there was always contention regarding the "wrathful" youth who claimed to speak "in God's stead."
Out of the wearisome shadows, that enshrouded Job's concluding words, emerged the mysterious Elihu, almost reminiscent of Abram's meeting One "after the order of Melchizedek." However, unlike that order, Elihu is not "without father, without mother, without descent," and he assures us that "he was formed out of the clay." Scripture does give that which is consistent with the credentials of a prophet, "Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite." However, regarding this genealogy, the Bible is otherwise strangely silent.
Regardless, Elihu lays claim to a "spirit in man and the 'inspiration' of the Almighty" (cf. Job 32:8), and in prophetic fashion, declares to Job" that he is the answer to his prayer as he speaks in "God's stead"!
"My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. ... Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead" (cf. Job 33:1-6).
"Oh that one would hear me!" (cf. Job 31:35). "Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! There the 'righteous' might dispute with him" (cf. Job 23:3-7).
In "retrospect," somewhere in the twilight of history, perhaps before there were cities, God declared there is none like Job "in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil" to which Satan counters "Doth Job fear God for nought?" The LORD accepted the challenge and granted Satan the authority to prove Job. However, the Lord, in "declaring the end from the beginning," allowed Satan to prove to all who dwell in heaven or earth that Job loved Him for Who He is, all else withstanding.
Unaware that Job was the epicenter of a cosmetic conflict; his wife seethed "Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die."
"But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips" (Job 2:10).
Yet, after seven days and seven nights of silent agony... his grief was very great, and Job opened his mouth, and "cursed" the day of his birth, and the night in which he was conceived (cf. Job 3:1-26), one chapter of curses long. However, in cursing that day and night, Job, as his wife, cursed God who gave him life in that day and night! In all this Job "did" sin with his lips! Or in Elihu's words "therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge" (Job 35:16).
From Chapter 4 to Chapter 32 Job's three friends, contrary to God (Job 1:8, Job 2:10),, contest that Job's condition is the consequence sin "before" his affliction. However, Job counters each and every argument until all are silent including Elihu who had been recording each and every word.
"Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job" (Job 32:2-3).
Then Elihu presents evidence to justify his wrath against Job:
"Thou hast spoken in mine hearing, saying, I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy" (Job 33:8 -10).
"I am clean without transgression" such was Job's condition hitherto that day "when Satan present[ed] himself before the LORD." However, since that day, Job testified "my righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go Job 27:6), yet, impugning God's righteousness (Job 27:2)! Or as Elihu contends "Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man" (Job 33:12). Elihu continues:
"Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment" (Job 34:5) and concludes "Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's?" (Job 35:2).
Job, who countered each and every argument of his three friends until all were silent, now sits in convicted silence before Elihu — until his prayer “May the Almighty answer me!" (Job 31:35) is answered!
Then the LORD in words reminiscent of the words He had spoken thru Elihu "answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?" (Job 38:1-2).
Job in terror convicted silence, answers not word as the LORD "demands" of him the answer of question after unfathomable question from the foundations of the world.
"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? ... When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:4-7).
"Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? (Job 38:17).
"Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof" (Job 38:19).
"Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? Job 38:22-23).
"The LORD answered Job, and said, Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. Then Job answered the LORD, and said, Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. ... Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said ... Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous? (Job 40:1 -8). Sound familiar? (cf. Job 35:2).
Then the LORD concludes the consummation of the glory of His creation with the exposition of two monsters. Whatever they were, they were contemporaneous with Job, e.g., "behold now behemoth, which I made with thee" (Job 40:15); "Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook?" (Job 41:1).
Also, the profiles Job provides are contrary to any creatures living today. Moreover, "He [behemoth] is the chief [first] of the ways of God" (cf. Job 40:19), and leviathan "upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear. He beholdeth all high things" (cf. Job 41:33-34).
Leviathan appears to transcend even the most monstrous of the beasts of the sea, and as a "king over all the children of pride" can hardly allude to other than Satan himself.
"Then Job answered the LORD, and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. ... I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:1-6).
After speaking of the LORD "the thing that is right," Job was forgiven!
But 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." So after they did according as the LORD commanded them, Job, prayed for them, and they were likewise forgiven!
"And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends," and Job was made whole!
Yet, Elihu who spoke in "God's stead"! Remained without rebuked as he continued to answer Job's prayer.
"Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!" (Job 19:23).
1By Daphne Zaras [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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