Job 33:6-7 | KingComments | STEP | Elihu speaks directly to Job, he explicitly mentions his name, unlike the three friends. He asks Job to listen to his speech and to hear all his words ( ). “My speech” is the whole story. “All my words” are the individual words that make up the story. He speaks in this way, to draw attention to the importance of what he is going to say. He opens his mouth to speak words worthy of being heard ( ). His words are not meaningless expressions of a man who also wants to have his say on a matter. They are words that he has, as it were, tasted with his palate. He is cautious in his choice of words; he does not speak impetuously. What he says comes from an upright heart, and the knowledge he utters is sincere ( ). He does not speak with hidden intentions. They are not beautiful, pleasant sounding words to win Job for his insights, but words he utters in sincerity before God. He can speak in this way because he is aware that the Spirit of God has made him and that he has life through the breath of the Almighty ( ). With this he indicates once again that he has no wisdom of his own, but owes everything to Him Who gave him life and helps him to live that life to His glory. Therefore he can be used by God for Job. God can also use us to win the hearts of others only when we realize this. In Elihu invites Job to refute him because Job has the right to do so. Job does not have to accept what Elihu says about who he is, because he has his own connection to God. God kindly makes His thoughts known. It is not Elihu’s concern to overload Job with reproaches or imputations, as the friends have done. He offers Job his thoughts on an equal footing with him. Elihu does not put himself above Job, but stands beside him ( ). He knows that he and Job are both in the same relationship with God. God has formed both him and Job “out of clay” ( ; cf. ). Like Job, he is a weak, fragile creature. In his frailty, he is no more to God than Job. This awareness of one’s own weakness is important if we want to win a failing brother ( ). If we want to wash someone’s feet, we have to bow before him ( ). After so placing himself next to Job, he reassures Job about what he is going to say ( ). He will tell Job serious things, but Job does not have to be afraid of them. He will not let his pressure [or hand] be heavy on him. Job feels God’s hand heavy on him ( ). By positioning himself next to Job, Elihu takes that fear away. The friends have aggravated Job’s suffering by accusing him of sin as the cause of his suffering. Elihu will not do that. He will not increase his suffering, but alleviate it by letting God’s light shine upon it.

‏ Job 33:6-7

Elihu Asks Job to Listen

Elihu speaks directly to Job, he explicitly mentions his name, unlike the three friends. He asks Job to listen to his speech and to hear all his words (Job 33:1). “My speech” is the whole story. “All my words” are the individual words that make up the story. He speaks in this way, to draw attention to the importance of what he is going to say. He opens his mouth to speak words worthy of being heard (Job 33:2). His words are not meaningless expressions of a man who also wants to have his say on a matter. They are words that he has, as it were, tasted with his palate. He is cautious in his choice of words; he does not speak impetuously.

What he says comes from an upright heart, and the knowledge he utters is sincere (Job 33:3). He does not speak with hidden intentions. They are not beautiful, pleasant sounding words to win Job for his insights, but words he utters in sincerity before God.

He can speak in this way because he is aware that the Spirit of God has made him and that he has life through the breath of the Almighty (Job 33:4). With this he indicates once again that he has no wisdom of his own, but owes everything to Him Who gave him life and helps him to live that life to His glory. Therefore he can be used by God for Job. God can also use us to win the hearts of others only when we realize this.

In Job 33:5 Elihu invites Job to refute him because Job has the right to do so. Job does not have to accept what Elihu says about who he is, because he has his own connection to God. God kindly makes His thoughts known. It is not Elihu’s concern to overload Job with reproaches or imputations, as the friends have done. He offers Job his thoughts on an equal footing with him.

Elihu does not put himself above Job, but stands beside him (Job 33:6). He knows that he and Job are both in the same relationship with God. God has formed both him and Job “out of clay” (Gen 2:7; cf. Acts 10:26). Like Job, he is a weak, fragile creature. In his frailty, he is no more to God than Job. This awareness of one’s own weakness is important if we want to win a failing brother (Gal 6:1). If we want to wash someone’s feet, we have to bow before him (Jn 13:1-5).

After so placing himself next to Job, he reassures Job about what he is going to say (Job 33:7). He will tell Job serious things, but Job does not have to be afraid of them. He will not let his pressure [or hand] be heavy on him. Job feels God’s hand heavy on him (Job 13:21). By positioning himself next to Job, Elihu takes that fear away. The friends have aggravated Job’s suffering by accusing him of sin as the cause of his suffering. Elihu will not do that. He will not increase his suffering, but alleviate it by letting God’s light shine upon it.