
Job 33
Job 33 presents Elihu’s speech as he responds to Job, attempting to provide a different perspective. Elihu addresses Job’s complaints and assertions about God’s justice, emphasizing that God communicates with people in various ways and that His discipline, even through suffering, is meant to save and restore. Elihu argues that God is not silent but speaks in dreams, visions, and pain to bring repentance and deliverance.
Job 33:1-5 (NKJV)
1 “But please, Job, hear my speech,
And listen to all my words.
2 Now, I open my mouth;
My tongue speaks in my mouth.
3 My words come from my upright heart;
My lips utter pure knowledge.
4 The Spirit of God has made me,
And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5 If you can answer me,
Set your words in order before me;
Take your stand.
Elihu opens his speech by asking Job to listen carefully to his words. He asserts that his heart is pure, and his intentions are upright as he speaks. Elihu acknowledges that he, too, is created by the Spirit of God, just like Job, implying that he speaks with wisdom imparted by the Almighty. Elihu invites Job to respond if he can.
Job 33:6-11 (NKJV)
6 Truly I am as your spokesman before God;
I also have been formed out of clay.
7 Surely no fear of me will terrify you,
Nor will my hand be heavy on you.
8 Surely you have spoken in my hearing,
And I have heard the sound of your words, saying,
9 ‘I am pure, without transgression;
I am innocent, and there is no iniquity in me.
10 Yet He finds occasions against me,
He counts me as His enemy;
11 He puts my feet in the stocks,
He watches all my paths.’
Elihu reassures Job that he is not to be feared and reminds him that they are both mere mortals. He acknowledges Job’s earlier statements where Job declared his innocence and expressed confusion about why God would treat him as an enemy. Elihu carefully recites Job’s complaints, showing that he has listened, but also preparing to offer a different interpretation of Job’s suffering.
Job 33:12-14 (NKJV)
12 “Look, in this you are not righteous.
I will answer you,
For God is greater than man.
13 Why do you contend with Him?
For He does not give an accounting of any of His words.
14 For God may speak in one way, or in another,
Yet man does not perceive it.
Elihu challenges Job’s assertion of righteousness and questions why Job contends with God. He emphasizes that God is far greater than man and does not owe explanations for His actions. Elihu introduces the idea that God speaks in different ways, but humans often fail to recognize His voice, highlighting a potential reason for Job’s confusion.
Job 33:15-18 (NKJV)
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night,
When deep sleep falls upon men,
While slumbering on their beds,
16 Then He opens the ears of men,
And seals their instruction.
17 In order to turn man from his deed,
And conceal pride from man,
18 He keeps back his soul from the Pit,
And his life from perishing by the sword.
Elihu explains that God communicates through dreams and visions, using these methods to instruct and correct people, often without them being aware. He suggests that suffering or divine intervention, even in dreams, is meant to turn people away from pride and sinful paths. Elihu implies that God’s actions, including affliction, are ultimately for the person’s benefit, to save them from destruction.
Job 33:19-22 (NKJV)
19 “Man is also chastened with pain on his bed,
And with strong pain in many of his bones,
20 So that his life abhors bread,
And his soul succulent food.
21 His flesh wastes away from sight,
And his bones stick out which once were not seen.
22 Yes, his soul draws near the Pit,
And his life to the executioners.
Elihu describes how God can use physical pain and suffering as a form of chastening or discipline. This affliction can be so severe that a person loses their appetite and wastes away. Elihu suggests that such suffering may bring a person to the brink of death, emphasizing the seriousness of God’s corrective measures in turning people from the wrong path.
Job 33:23-25 (NKJV)
23 “If there is a messenger for him,
A mediator, one among a thousand,
To show man His uprightness,
24 Then He is gracious to him, and says,
‘Deliver him from going down to the Pit;
I have found a ransom’;
25 His flesh shall be young like a child’s,
He shall return to the days of his youth.
Elihu offers hope, stating that if a mediator or messenger intervenes, pointing out the way of righteousness, God will be gracious. He speaks of a “ransom” that can deliver a person from death, with restoration and renewal to follow. This points to God’s mercy in saving people from destruction when they repent or receive divine intervention.
Job 33:26-28 (NKJV)
26 He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him,
He shall see His face with joy,
For He restores to man His righteousness.
27 Then he looks at men and says,
‘I have sinned, and perverted what was right,
And it did not profit me.’
28 He will redeem his soul from going down to the Pit,
And his life shall see the light.
Elihu describes the outcome of repentance and God’s grace. The person prays to God, and in response, God restores them to righteousness and favor. The individual acknowledges their sin and wrongdoings, realizing that their previous ways brought no benefit. God redeems them from death and brings them back into the light of life.
Job 33:29-33 (NKJV)
29 “Behold, God works all these things,
Twice, in fact, three times with a man,
30 To bring back his soul from the Pit,
That he may be enlightened with the light of life.
31 “Give ear, Job, listen to me;
Hold your peace, and I will speak.
32 If you have anything to say, answer me;
Speak, for I desire to justify you.
33 If not, listen to me;
Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.”
Elihu concludes by emphasizing that God works multiple times to save a person’s soul from destruction, showing His persistence in offering people chances to turn back to Him. He urges Job to listen, remain silent, and learn wisdom. Elihu offers Job the opportunity to speak if he wishes to defend himself, but he also indicates a desire to impart further wisdom if Job remains silent.