21. His flesh once prominent "can no more be seen." His bones once not seen now appear prominent. stick out—literally, "are bare." The Margin, Hebrew (Keri) reading. The text (Chetib) reads it a noun "(are become) bareness." The Keri was no doubt an explanatory reading of transcribers. read more
Elihu’s first response to Job ch. 33This whole speech is an attempt to explain to Job why God was not responding to him. Elihu was very wordy, which he admitted in Job 32:18. In summary, he told Job that God was not silent, as Job had charged, but that He was speaking through dreams and sickness to Job. Rather than using suffering to punish Job for his sins, God was using it to prevent him from dying. Elihu said God was being merciful to Job. The three counselors had said the purpose of... read more
2. Elihu’s first speech 32:6-33:33Before Elihu began presenting his views (ch. 33), he first had to gain the attention of his elders and explain why he wanted to speak (Job 32:6-22). read more
The Speeches of Elihu (continued)1-13. Elihu blames Job for regarding himself as sinless, and complaining that’ God is his enemy and will not answer him.4. Elihu feels that God is inspiring his mind to speak aright. 6. RV ’Behold, I am toward God even as thou art.’ Job need have no fear in facing a man like himself, such as he had felt about God: cp. Job 9:32; Job 13:21. 9. Cp. Job 9:21; RV Job 10:7; Job 16:17; Job 27:4-6. But Elihu exaggerates Job’s protestation of innocence: cp. Job 7:21; Job... read more
Job 33:1 Why is it that the just must endure such suffering on earth? The book of Job does not solve this perplexing question. On the contrary, this very book is the Song of Songs of scepticism, and in it the loathsome serpents of doubt writhe and hiss out their everlasting 'why?' How was it that, at the return from Babylon, the pious Commission of the Temple Archives, over which Ezra presided, admitted this book into the canon of the Holy Scriptures? I have often asked myself this question. My... read more
XXV.POST-EXILIC WISDOMJob 32:1-22; Job 33:1-33; Job 34:1-37A PERSONAGE hitherto unnamed in the course of the drama now assumes the place of critic and judge between Job and his friends. Elihu, son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, appears suddenly and as suddenly disappears. The implication is that he has been present during the whole of the colloquies, and that, having patiently waited his time, he expresses the judgment he has slowly formed on arguments to which he has given close... read more
CHAPTER 33:8-33 1. Elihu rebukes Job (Job 33:8-13 ) 2. How God deals with man (Job 33:14-22 ) 3. How God in grace recovers (Job 33:23-30 ) 4. Mark well, Job, hearken unto me (Job 33:31-33 ) Job 33:8-13 . Elihu treats Job in a dignified, yet firm manner. He speaks as one who is sure of the whole matter. He has heard Job’s speeches; he knows the mistake Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar made, in treating Job as a suspicious character, a hypocrite and a godless man. No such wrong accusations are... read more
HE SPEAKS AS A MEDIATOR (vv.1-7) Elihu did not take any haughty and unfeeling attitude as did Job's three friends, but speaks with simple humility, entreating Job to hear and consider what he says (v.1). He claims that his words come from his heart, uttering pure knowledge (vv.2-3), because he is conscious that the Spirit of God has made him, and the breath (or Spirit) of the Almighty gives him life. If you can answer me, set your words in order before me: take your stand" (v.5). This... read more
WORDS OF ELIHU ; WORDS OF GOD Elihu now comes forward with apparent modesty, and yet great pretensions. Young and inexperienced, he is nevertheless indignant at the manner in which the friends of Job have sought to reply to him. Professing that his views have been revealed from above, he undertakes to clear up all the difficulties in the case. Afflictions are for the good of the sufferer is his dictum, a thought which he exhibits in various lights. He, too, reflects upon Job for his... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Job 33:1-33
Elihu accuses Job (33:1-33)Turning now to Job, Elihu gives the assurance that he speaks with sincerity and with respect for the God who created him (33:1-4). He also speaks as one who is on a level of equality with Job (5-7).To begin with Elihu recalls Job’s claim to be innocent and Job’s accusation that God has treated him as if he were guilty (8-11). Elihu is shocked that a person could make such an accusation against God, and boldly rebukes Job (12-13). He suggests that if Job were quiet for... read more