Wed.’s Devo - Elihu Speaks for the Youth

Read Job 32,33 Elihu is a young man who has sat back and listened to this whole account and what everyone has said. He is a godly man except his family is of the Buzite which means “contempt”. He is full of contempt for Job for his stand, and his three friends because they could not persuade Job of his sin. Since Elihu is the youngest, he has remained silent to honor the aged. Now that they have run out of words, he is there to fill the empty space. He is full of answers waiting to be delivered. He begins his speech explaining why they need to hear from him. He is no longer convinced that age brings wisdom, because, he is young and full of it. He rebukes his elders for not being able to convince Job of his guilt. Elihu is bursting with wisdom that needs to come out. He is convinced that he is God’s man for the hour even though he is a mere man. He tells Job that he has heard his plea of innocence even though God is clearly punishing him. Then he argues that God is greater than Job and it is not Job’s business to know why God does what he does. God speaks to man in symbols like in dreams. That way man can’t say he had anything to do with it. God’s purpose for communicating is to give man His will for their lives, and to keep him from falling into the sin of pride and impending harm. One of the way God chastens his children is through pain that is so severe it take the daily desires of food away. This man eventually starves to death. But if someone, like himself, comes and shows that man his sin, then his soul can be ransomed back. He will be given back his youth and God will hear his prayers. His sorrow will be turned to joy. In fact, anyone who calls to God with repentance will be saved. Then he tells Job that he has nothing to fear as long as he listens to him and does what he says. Some of what Elihu said was true, but most of it was distorted because it came from a proud man. But, he was right when he said that he who calls to God with repentance will be saved. Thank you, Lord.