Job
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Job 33
Job 33
1Howbeit, Job, I pray thee, hear my speech, And hearken to all my words.
2Behold now, I have opened my mouth; My tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
3My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart; And that which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.
4The Spirit of God hath made me, And the breath of the Almighty giveth me life.
5If thou canst, answer thou me; Set thy words in order before me, stand forth.
6Behold, I am toward God even as thou art: I also am formed out of the clay.
7Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, Neither shall my pressure be heavy upon thee.
1Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.
2Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
3My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
4The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
5If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.
6Behold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
7Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
Commentary · verses 1-7
8Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing, And I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, 9I am clean, without transgression; I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me: 10Behold, he findeth occasions against me, He counteth me for his enemy; 11He putteth my feet in the stocks, He marketh all my paths.
8Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
9I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
10Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,
11He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
Commentary · verses 8-11
Elihu listened to all of Job's words. Elihu was focused on understanding.
12Behold, I will answer thee, in this thou art not just; For God is greater than man.
12Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
Commentary · verse 12
Elihu was saying that at least one thing Job said (vs. 9-11) was unjust. This was WHY Job did not know WHY this was happening. Did Job say something that was unjust? What was it?
13Why dost thou strive against him, For that he giveth not account of any of his matters?
13Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
Commentary · verse 13
Elihu asked Job WHY Job thought that God did not give an account...and if Job thought God did not give an account WHY would Job wait for God to give an account? Elihu used the principle of non-contradiction to show Job had a flawed thought process.
14For God speaketh once, Yea twice, though man regardeth it not.
14For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
Commentary · verse 14
God does give an account.
15In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falleth upon men, In slumberings upon the bed; 16Then he openeth the ears of men, And sealeth their instruction, 17That he may withdraw man from his purpose, And hide pride from man; 18He keepeth back his soul from the pit, And his life from perishing by the sword.
19He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, And with continual strife in his bones; 20So that his life abhorreth bread, And his soul dainty food.
21His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; And his bones that were not seen stick out.
22Yea, his soul draweth near unto the pit, And his life to the destroyers.
15In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
16Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
17That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
20So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
21His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
22Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
Commentary · verses 15-22
God used dreams, visions, and pain to speak to people. God did this to humble, and protect people. The various methods that God used were for the long term best interest of people.
23If there be with him an angel, An interpreter, one among a thousand, To show unto man what is right for him; 24Then God is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.
25His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s; He returneth to the days of his youth.
26He prayeth unto God, and he is favorable unto him, So that he seeth his face with joy: And he restoreth unto man his righteousness.
23If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:
24Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
25His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth:
26He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
Commentary · verses 23-26
God spoke through other people...like Elihu?
27He singeth before men, and saith, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, And it profited me not: 28He hath redeemed my soul from going into the pit, And my life shall behold the light.
29Lo, all these things doth God work, Twice, yea thrice, with a man, 30To bring back his soul from the pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of the living.
27He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;
28He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
29Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,
30To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
Commentary · verses 27-30
God was persistent in speaking to people with these various methods. Elihu was also stating that God would use the righteous to bring revelation into the world, even if it meant the righteous suffer.
31Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: Hold thy peace, and I will speak.
32If thou hast anything to say, answer me: Speak, for I desire to justify thee.
33If not, hearken thou unto me: Hold thy peace, and I will teach thee wisdom.
31Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.
32If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.
33If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
Commentary · verses 31-33
Elihu wanted Job to understand and he was making sure that Job did understand. In fact, in this overview statement, Elihu used Job's own words to meet Job where Job was at. Elihu was facilitating Job's purpose and progress. Elihu was a leader. What do you think of this overview from Elihu?
Commentary · verse 33
Job 31-33 covered the conclusion of Job's final statement and Elihu's overview statement.
Elihu wanted to give Job the WHY behind what had happened. This was in response to what Job said in Job 13:20-23. Job wanted to know HOW he caused this. Job also said he was afraid to debate with God. Elihu was going to explain the cause...and he was doing it, instead of God, so that Job would not be afraid.