A congregational study of the Book of Job. By Pastor Jose Luis
Session Sixteen. Read Job Chapters 32-37
Chapter 32 begins after a second great silence introducing a new character in the story: Elihu. He is not part of the three-friend group. He is observing the dialogue and decides to intervene as: He was angry at Job because he justified himself rather than God; 3 he was angry also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, though they had declared Job to be in the wrong (32, 2-3).
He is part of a new younger generation, and verse 32, 6, says that for this reason he is timid and afraid, but is speaking now because he considers that the elders don’t make a good work exposing Job´s sin and allowing Job to declare himself innocent.
For Elihu, Job has no right to declare that he is innocent, and that God has taken away his right 34, 5. Contrary to that for Elihu that affirmation demonstrates that Job is a liar 34, 6.
For Elihu Job is condemned because: Job speaks without knowledge,
his words are without insight…because his answers are those of the wicked: For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God.” 34, 35-37
In chapter 36, Elihu defends the idea that Job has a non-declared sin that is the real cause of his torments.
According to Elihu, Job cannot declare his innocence, because only God can declare that and nobody can understand or teach about God, because God is hidden. God is beyond our understanding and we only can see God´s justice as a punishment of the wicked: The Almighty—we cannot find him; he is great in power and justice, and abundant righteousness he will not violate (37, 23).
Job´s silence continues after Elihu finishes his speech preparing the scenario for God´s intervention.
Elihu declared to Job and friends that God can inflict affliction to demonstrate his justice and to make human beings humble, like a therapeutical purpose 34, 11. In your experience of God acting in your life, do you feel that suffering can be a way that God uses to open your eyes to the reality of sin present in your life? How do you pray when you are experiencing underserved pain?
Tell me your impressions. pastor@lcostampa.org