Job 33:15–22

Not only was Job judging God, but he was also not subject to Him. There was a lack of submission in his heart. If God was dealing with him, why did he not ask Him, instead of murmuring?

Since God is invisible, He speaks to man in ways that do not show Him personally, but ways that awaken man's serious attention... Though man may not perceive that it is God speaking to him, yet often God does so "in a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men." At such a time God has a captive audience, whether man wants to listen or not. God spoke to Pilate's wife this way (Matthew 27:19), though sadly Pilate did not act on her advice. He had already trapped himself by his weak indecision.

When all is quiet at last, God can speak... So insomnia, or sleeplessness, can sometimes be a hidden blessing. It is always a good habit, when we cannot sleep, to praise and pray.

The word for deep sleep, tardemah, is never used of natural sleep. It is used of sleep that is either supernatural, sent for a special purpose (Gen. 2:21; Gen. 15:12; Job 4:13; Job 33:15), or spiritual, part of God's dealings in governing man (Prov. 19:15; Isa. 29:10).

When the light of nature is withdrawn, when all is silent, He speaks in "a still small voice" and makes known His mind. So instruction is sealed on the heart of man. His purpose is to correct wrong thoughts and actions, to withdraw man from "mischief," or his purpose, and to hide pride from man (geber, the hero or mighty man). This goes deeper than action, for pride lurks in the heart, and God would hide it from man — hinder its control over him.

If a dream is a warning against what I may be inclined to do, or if it humbles me, then I should take it to heart.

Verses 15-22. He shows God using the plough — of a dream, of a striking providence, of bodily pain or sickness — to break up such fallow ground. And such is the work to this day... Verses 23-24. The sower comes after the ploughman. The seed is the Gospel. God provides the ransom and brings deliverance to the sinner.

He begins with the first work of God in the man who does not know Him. It is grace working to awaken an unconverted soul... It is exactly what marks divine mercy in appealing to the unconverted man. He is carried away by his own will. But God knows how to bend or break it.

The same truth is in even fuller force now, for we do not need a revelation by dreams and visions, but have it in the written word of God. He who spoke in many ways (dreams among the rest) has now given us the full revelation of Himself in His Son.

I think I have been aware of God whispering little things to me about myself. He advised me to be careful about what I was doing. He made me judge myself in a way I had not done before... The great point is that it is altogether inferior to the word. This is where we have our great advantage.

Here Elihu rightly begins at the beginning. He starts with the first work of God in the man who does not know Him. It is grace working to wake up a soul that is not yet converted... This is exactly what marks out God's mercy when He appeals to the man who is not converted. His own will carries him away. But God knows how to bend it or break it.

"Then he opens the ears of men" (verse 16). That is what this chapter shows. It does not say "believing" men; it is any man, so that he may believe. Yet we do not always behave as believers. When that happens, we may get a little word that simply shows us where we are — that we are "walking as men," as the apostle said.

Elihu makes it plain that God does speak to man in this way. When the light of nature is gone, when all is silent, He speaks in "a still small voice" and makes His mind known. In this way He seals the instruction on the heart of man. His aim is to correct wrong thoughts and actions, to draw man back from "mischief," or from his own purpose, and to hide pride from man. The word for man here is geber, the hero or mighty man. This goes deeper than what a man does, for pride hides in the heart, and God would hide that pride from him — He keeps it from ruling him.

When there was no Bible, no written revelation of God, God spoke to individuals by dreams and visions. He does not do so any longer, for we have His finished Word, which makes His will known to us.

He may speak in a dream or a vision. Scripture records that He has often done so, and He clearly still does. It happens most with simple believers who know little of the Bible, and who may not even have much of it in their own language. Where believers have the Bible to teach them — a better kind of guidance — dreams in which God speaks are rare by comparison. And if God does speak to a man in a dream, what is it for? To change his course, and to humble his pride into the dust.

When God sends people dreams, He "opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction" (v.16). This is not to flatter man's pride, but the very opposite: "to turn man from his deed, and conceal pride from man" (v.17). In other words, if a dream is a warning against what I may be inclined to do, or if it humbles me, then I should take it to heart.

Then, too, "sickness" comes and strikes many. It stops all activity. The whirl of busy life gives way to the quiet of a bed of pain. This has done good to thousands. Then, "He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction" (Job 33:16). In the quiet they learn how worthless their own efforts are, and where they can find true peace.

In this chapter Elihu shows Job one common way God deals with people, though God does not always work this way. He is not limited in how He reaches men, and can act on the soul in many ways. Elihu rightly begins at the beginning, with the first work of God in the man who does not know Him. It is grace working to awaken a soul that does not know God… This is just what marks out divine mercy when it appeals to such a man. His own will carries him away. But God knows how to bend or break it.

We all forget too easily the weighty fact that "God tries the righteous." "He does not withdraw His eyes from them." We are in His hands and always under His eye. We are the objects of His deep, tender, unchanging love; but we are also the subjects of His wise moral government. His dealings with us are varied. They are sometimes preventive, sometimes corrective, always instructive. We may be bent on some course of our own, the end of which would be moral ruin. He steps in and withdraws us from our purpose. He dashes our castles in the air to pieces. He scatters our golden dreams. He breaks in on many a favourite plan our hearts clung to — a plan that would have ended in certain destruction.

His object is to correct wrong thoughts and actions. He withdraws man from "mischief," or his purpose, and hides pride from man (geber, the hero or mighty man). This goes deeper than action, for pride lurks in the heart, and God would hide it from man — hinder its control over him. "Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins" (Ps. 19:13). So man is kept back from destruction. He bows to the correction of God's truth, and so is spared the smiting of the rod, or of the sword.

Chastenings are not always for actual faults. Job 33:18-19 says, "he keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword. Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed and with continual strife in his bones." Verse 17 tells us the purpose: to hide pride from man. Then in chapter 36 the chastening is for positive faults (v. 9).

When there was no Bible, the revelation of God, God spoke to man individually by dreams and visions. He does not do so any longer, for we have His completed Word in which His will is made known to us.

When God sends dreams to people, He "opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction" (v.16). This is not to flatter man's pride. It does the very opposite: it is "to turn man from his deed, and conceal pride from man" (v.17). In other words, if a dream is a warning against what I may be inclined to do, or if it humbles me, then I should take it to heart.

Every effort to justify myself before God is striving against God… God "opens the ears of men, that He may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man." Then the man must pass through this sore pain and affliction. It may be through some fall that all self-trust is blighted.

In this very chapter Elihu points out to Job a fairly common way of God's dealings, though by no means a fixed rule. God is not at all limited in His methods of reaching men, but can act on the soul in many ways. He begins with the first work of God in a man who does not know Him. It is grace working to awaken a soul that has not yet turned to God... "He keeps back his soul from the pit" — such is the merciful purpose of God's intervention — "and his life from perishing by the sword."

In these remarkable words Elihu was acting the part of the interpreter with Job. He showed the good purpose of God in His dealings with men, however hostile those dealings appear. He aims at delivering them from the "pit" of self-esteem and self-satisfaction in this life, and the "pit" of judgment and condemnation in the life to come.

Chastenings are not always for actual faults. In Job it is said (chapter 33:18-19), "He keeps back his soul from the pit... He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and with strong pain in many of his bones"; and we find from verse 17 that this is for the purpose of hiding pride from man. Then in chapter 36 the chastening is for actual faults.

His aim is to correct wrong thoughts and actions, to withdraw man from "mischief," or his own purpose, and to hide pride from man — the word means the hero, the mighty man. This goes deeper than action, for pride hides in the heart, and God would hide it from man — stop it controlling him. "Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins" (Psalm 19:13). So man is kept back from destruction. He bows to the correction of God's truth, and is spared the striking of the rod, or of the sword.

"Then he opens the ears of men" (v. 16). That is what is shown in this chapter. It is not "believing" men; it is any man, so that he might believe... "That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man." You see, it is one who had never yet been broken. "He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword." He was on the straight road to it.

There is another way God has of pursuing a soul: He preserves from sudden danger. I well remember when I was a boy of sixteen, a brother of mine shot a partridge. The bird fell into the water. "Fetch it," he said, and I plunged into the sea. The bird was not worth sixpence, but I risked my life, risked my soul, to get it. Only the mercy of God brought me to shore... But He spared me, that He might save me.

"Then he is gracious to him, and says, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom." This is a vivid way of presenting what God was about to do in due time. It is not given here only as a picture and a promise. The language is plain — perhaps as clear as any words in the Old Testament, looking forward to that infinite work which we now know was finished at the cross of Christ.

Job 33:14. He states man's natural dullness and lack of feeling toward God. Job 33:15-22. He shows God using the plough — a dream, a striking providence, physical pain or sickness — to break up such hard, unworked ground. And this is still His work today. Job 33:23-24. The sower comes after the ploughman. The seed is the gospel. God provides a ransom and brings deliverance to the sinner.

Another way God speaks is by inflicting "strong pain." It often comes in bed. There a man cannot occupy himself with the many things that keep him from listening to God (v. 19). Sickness and suffering have often driven people to the Lord.

"He is chastened also with pain on his bed." It is not only these dealings with the soul, but also with the body. There he touches the very case of Job.

As we have admitted, there is a great measure of truth in what the friends have said. But it has been one-sided truth, distorted and spoiled by a wrong principle: that all suffering is for wickedness. That principle makes every affliction proof that the sufferer is simply a sinner found out.

Chastenings are not always for actual faults. In Job it is said (chap. 33:18-19), "He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. He is chastened also with pain on his bed, and all his bones with strong pain." Verse 17 shows that this is to hide pride from man. Then in chapter 36 the chastening is for positive faults (v. 9).

He chastises them by sickness; and it is important to keep truth in the inner man. Men hide their faults; they want to walk as if all were going well; but God judges His people. He tries the heart and the mind. They are held in bonds of affliction. God shows them their faults, or their unbroken self-will. Man "is chastened also with pain on his bed, and all his bones with strong pain," Job 33:19.

Elihu shows that God's purpose is Job's full deliverance. This is His purpose too when He permits all the buffeting and conflict the believer passes through. Yes, he comes to the last sinking point. Then: "If there is a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man his uprightness, then He is gracious to him. He says, Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom."

But God has another way of speaking to men. If they do not listen to His word, He may send them His rod. In enlarging on this, Elihu practically describes the case of Job. Severe chastening pains come on him, and his bones seem to wither in deadly struggle... He is brought so low that he loathes even the food that would keep him alive. "The food I refused to touch has become my food of sorrow." "My soul is weary of my life."

God has another way of speaking: He sends "strong pain." It often comes in a man's bed, where he cannot keep himself busy with the many things that keep him from listening to God (v.19). Sickness and suffering have often driven people to the Lord. A man finds himself unable even to eat (v.20). Then he loses weight and becomes little more than "skin and bones." An early death stares him in the face.

He is also chastised with pains on his bed, and the strife of his bones is lasting. And his life loathes bread, and his soul the food it desires. His flesh wastes out of sight, and his bones that were not seen stand out.

It is exactly what marks out divine mercy in appealing to the unconverted man. He is carried away by his own will. But God knows how to bend or break it. "He keeps back his soul from the pit" (such is the merciful object of God's intervention), "and his life from perishing by the sword."

God may also speak through pain and sickness. Verses 19-22 describe it in vivid detail. He may keep speaking until the sufferer comes face to face with death itself... How often has a blow like this led a careless sinner to turn to God and awakened him for his eternal salvation. How often too has a believer had to look back to a time of severe sickness as an occasion of much spiritual blessing.

God uses these outward means of dealing with a man. He works by His word, and as a rule also by a messenger He sends — an interpreter, as we are told, one among a thousand. "Then He is gracious to him, and says, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom." That is a strikingly vivid way of presenting what God was about to do in due time... Here the language is plain — perhaps as clear as any words in the Old Testament. It looks forward to that infinite work which we now know to be finished in the cross of Christ.

Another way God speaks is by inflicting "strong pain." It often comes in one's bed, where a man cannot occupy himself with the many devices that keep him from listening to God (v.19). Sickness and suffering have often driven people to the Lord. One finds himself unable even to eat (v.20). Then he loses weight and becomes little more than "skin and bones." An early death stares him in the face (vv.21-22).

Sore chastening pains come upon him, and his bones seem to wither in the struggle for life. "The night racks my bones, and the pain that gnaws me takes no rest" (Job 30:17). He is brought so low that he hates even the food which would sustain his life... His flesh is wasted away, and his bones look and stare upon him. "My bones stick to my skin and to my flesh" (Job 19:20).

"He is chastened also with pain upon his bed." It is not only these dealings with the soul, but also with the body. There he touches the very case of Job... "His flesh is consumed away" — how true it was of poor Job... He is a fallen man. He may be a believing man. But still he is a man, as we can say, with the flesh in him. And that flesh may be working strongly, as it did in Job as well as the others.

Elihu does not say in so many words that Job has refused to listen to God's warnings. He does not say he is describing Job's case exactly. He speaks of God's method of dealing with men. Has it no voice for Job? Can he not at least see that God is speaking in the affliction and that He has something to say?

It is exactly what characterizes divine mercy in appealing to the unconverted man. He is carried away by his own will. But God knows how to bend or break it. "He keeps back his soul from the pit" (such is the merciful object of God's intervention), "and his life from perishing by the sword." Here is more than a dream of the night or a passing vision. Here are corrective ways.

God may speak through pain and sickness, described so vividly in verses 19-22, until the sufferer comes face to face with death itself... How often has a careless sinner, when struck this way, been led to turn to God and awakened for his eternal salvation. How often too has a saint had to look back to a time of severe sickness as an occasion of much spiritual blessing.

If they do not listen to His word, He may send them His rod. As he expands on this, Elihu is in effect describing the case of Job. Painful chastening comes upon him, and his bones seem to wither in deadly struggle. "The night racks my bones, and the pain that gnaws me takes no rest" (Job 30:17). He is brought so low that he loathes even the food that would keep him alive... His flesh is wasted away, and his bones look and stare at him. "My bones stick to my skin and to my flesh" (Job 19:20). He is at the last of life, drawing near to the grave, or the more dreadful "pit of destruction." "I know that You will bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living" (Job 30:23).

Elihu does not say in so many words that Job has refused to listen to God's warnings, nor does he say he is describing his case exactly. He speaks of God's method of dealing with men. Has it no voice for Job? Can he not at least see that God is speaking in the affliction, and that He has something to say?

And again, God may speak through pain and sickness. Verses 19-22 describe it vividly. God speaks until the sufferer comes face to face with death itself. How often has a careless sinner, when struck down like this, been led to turn to God and awakened for his eternal salvation. How often too has a believer had to look back to a time of severe sickness as an occasion of much spiritual blessing.

The man is carried away by his own will. But God knows how to bend or break it. "He keeps back his soul from the pit" — this is the merciful purpose of God's intervention — "and his life from perishing by the sword." Here is more than a dream of the night or a passing vision. Here are corrective ways, as well as glimpses of God's light, or of His judgment, which the man was despising.

One finds himself unable even to eat (v.20). Then he loses weight and becomes little more than "skin and bones," with an early death staring him in the face (vv.21-22). "His soul draws near the pit." Is there any help?

The word for "messenger" is "angel," and this suggests a supernatural revealer of the mind of God... Here we have a suggestion of the Mediator. The next word makes this stronger: "an Interpreter," or "Mediator" — one sent as an ambassador to make known the mind of God. No ordinary messenger will do; it must be "one of a thousand."

There may be many who can sympathise and sometimes condemn the afflicted one, as Job's three friends did. To give the mind of God is another and a greater thing.

"Then He is gracious to him, and says, Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom." This is a vivid way of presenting what God was about to do in due time... Here we have plain enough language — perhaps as clear as any words in the Old Testament, anticipating that infinite work which we now know to be finished in the cross of Christ.

What the sinner needs to be shown is what uprightness means for him: bowing before God, and owning his true state without holding back or hiding anything. This would be genuine uprightness, and it would at once draw out the response from the heart of God.