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Job #5 Elihu Speaks Introduction: Elihu was another one of Job's friends. He was apparently younger than Eliphaz, Zophar, or Bildad (Job 32.6). He listened to what everyone had to say about Job's plight and starts to speak up. While Elihu was not 100% accurate he did make some very good points and was closer to the truth than Job's friends. We know this because God rebuked the three friends but not Elihu (Job 42.7). We want to look at some lessons we can learn from Elihu. I) Job 32 A) Elihu had listend but now felt compelled to speak us, v. 3 1. Easier to say what is not true than what is true. 2. Hard for me to speak up in a room full of preachers. B) Age does not equal wisdom, v. 6-9 1. Wisdom is gained by certain activities: a. Listening to others is a way to learn and gain knowledge, vv. 10-12. We are told to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath, James 1.19b. b. Meditate upon God's word, take your time to think about what you have read or heard), Psalm 1.1-2 c. Application-- properly apply what we have learned to real life situations, discerning good and evil, Hebrews 5.13-14. Bad decisions are sometimes made because of a lack of knowledge and others times because of a lack of wisdom. 2. a sign of wisdom is the ability to think for yourself, v. 14. a. There is a difference between Bible Study and creed book practice. b. Our denominational friends have been taught from creedbooks but not the Bible. We can be guilty of the same things for we can follow a preacher or our traditions instead of the Bible. C) Elihu states his motive was not to flatter or show partiality, vv. 21-22 II) Job 33 A) He implores Job to listen, v. 1-5 1. Elihu acknowledges he is the same as Job, made of clay, v. 6 2. God is not so, His way are different. Isaiah 55.8-9 a. The contrast: i. Job's friends thought Job was being punished because of his sins. ii. Elihu: suffering may be a way God uses to discipline us and get us to return back to Him. [Are there certain things you would do if there were no consequences you would have to face?] {Catholic Church tradition-- doors at Rome where once every 25 years the Pope goes through and there is some type of indulgence but everyone is forgiven of their sins.} B) Elihu brings up Job's questioning of whether it profits a man to serve God, v. 7-9 1, God does not sin, He cannot and will not sin, v. 10 2. God judges man by his works, v. 11 3. God does not judge wickedly, v. 12 4. God is the one with the authority and ability to judge, v. 13 5. God sees all that man does, v. 21 III) Job 35 A) Elihu accuses Job of wrong in justifying himself rather than God, Job 32.2 1. In other words he did not say that Job's suffering was due to his sins. 2. However, he believed Job in answering his friends overstepped his righteousness. B) Sometimes we may allow others to push us and do something that is wrong IV) Job 36 A) Elihu states the righteousness and greatness of God 1. In some ways he sounds a lot like the other three friends. 2. They had knowledge but did not make the right application. 3. Elihu seeks to make the proper application. B) The difference between the wicked and the good, vv. 10-12 1. The wicked will not listen to God in either good or bad times [often they will blame God in bad times and neglect God in the good times.] 2. The righteous will listen and praise God in both the good and bad times. Job 1.21 C) What is Elihu's point? 1. vv. 22-25 We tend to be self centered but we need to be God centered. More of thee and less of me. 2. We read passages about emptying ourselves (Phil. 2), about being servants, about loving God and others, but there are times we can get pretty self centered. We can sing songs that says, "I want to be a worker for the Lord" and then get upset when we have to work. 3. In dealing with how to live godly lives people come across something the Bible condemns but say, "I believe God would want me to be happy." They really mean I want to be happy and it does not matter what God says. Conclusion: God is great (Job 37.5) as seen in the rain, thunder, snow, etc. Consider the wonders and works of God (Job 37.14). One of the greatest was sending His Son to die for our sins. Instead of asking what does it profit to serve God or why is this happening to me? We should ask, "how can I serve God better?" How can I use whatever circumstances I am in to glorify His name?
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