Job 33:5

Elihu did not take the proud, unfeeling attitude of Job's three friends. He speaks with simple humility, asking Job to hear and consider what he says (v.1). He claims that his words come from his heart, speaking pure knowledge (vv.2-3). He says this because he knows that the Spirit of God has made him, and that the breath (or Spirit) of the Almighty gives him life. "Answer me, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand" (v.5). This should be true of anyone who speaks for God.

Elihu has cleared the way with his opening words to the friends and to Job. Now he goes straight to the heart of the matter. His handling of the subject is markedly different from the method of the three friends, and he clearly expects results. He does not propose to leave such weighty questions in the confused state they were now in, when all the contestants had fought to a standstill and none were convinced. His addresses are not a showy statement of his own principles. They are an appeal to Job's conscience and reason. He has none of the abusive and insulting manner of the friends. Yet he uncovers Job's faults faithfully and without sparing, and he does not stir up opposition.

Here it is that Elihu stands out in vivid contrast. He tells Job the truth; but he lays no heavy hand upon him. Elihu has learned the mighty, mysterious force of "the still small voice" — the soul-subduing, heart-melting power of grace. Job had voiced a quantity of false notions about himself. Those notions had sprouted from a root, and the sharp axe of "truth" had to be laid to it.

"The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Answer me, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand. Behold, I am what you wished for, in God's place." Job's heart went out towards God, but he was afraid it would be too overwhelming. He wanted to find Him, and yet he was still afraid. He wanted someone who could speak to him in a human voice, and who could speak fully for God. Well, Elihu does that in his measure. Elihu is an interpreter, one of a thousand, so he does speak for God. That is just what Job had wanted, though he falls very far short of the Great Interpreter.

He reminds Job of his own desire for such a person: "Neither is there any daysman between us, who might lay his hand upon us both" (Job 9:33); "Oh that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleads for his neighbour" (Job 16:21). To this desire Elihu now replies: "Behold, I am what you wished for, in God's place; I also am formed out of the clay. Behold, my terror shall not make you afraid, nor shall my hand be heavy upon you" (Job 33:6-7).

There were two great faults in what Job had said. He thought too well of himself, and he found fault with God... He had completely failed in the reverence due to God. He had entirely forgotten the infinite distance between God and man, and the majesty of God. So, instead of finding fault with himself for falling so far short, he found fault with God.

And now, Job, what have you to say to all this? Elihu wants to bring out Job's true condition — he would not excuse his wrong, but treat him with all fairness. He pauses for a reply. He will not force Job, but does Job not agree with what he has said? May we not take his silence as an acknowledgment of the truth we have been dwelling upon?