Would that Job were tried to the end, because he answers like wicked men.
Elihu ends his defence of God's justice with a wish, not with comfort. He wants Job's ordeal to run all the way through. It sounds cruel until you ask what Elihu thought was still wrong, and whether his wish was ever granted.
Where the Wish Comes From
The whole speech has been a defence of God's character against Job's charge that he had been treated unfairly. Commentators mark the closing verses as a separate movement: after refuting the charge, Elihu turns to what Job himself still needs. One writer sets out the structure plainly — the address runs from an appeal to wise men, through Job's accusation against God, to its refutation, and then to a final section headed:
Samuel RidoutJob needs further testing (verses 31-37).
What triggers the wish is what Job has not said. Elihu has just described the words a chastened man would use, and Job has never used them:
Arno Clemens GaebeleinVerses 31-37. And Job has not yet learned the lesson; he needs more testings. Did ever a word like this come from his sinful lips? "I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more." Has he asked in humility to be taught? Or has he said, "if I have done iniquity I will do it no more"? Sadly, despite all his affliction, his spirit was still unbroken.
Answering Like Wicked Men
Elihu's reason is about how Job has been talking, not about hidden crimes in his past:
Leslie M. GrantElihu might well desire that Job be tried to the utmost, because his answers were like those of wicked men (verse 36). Job should have known better, for he was not wicked. Yet whatever other sin he might be guilty of, Job was adding to it a serious crime: rebellion against the God of all creation. He acted as though he could stand against God and prosper! (verse 37).
Not Spite, but Concern for God's Honour
Elihu is not enjoying Job's pain. He starts from God's rights and reasons down from there. The harm he names is public: Job spoke in the hearing of others, and his words dishonoured God.
J. N. DarbyNotice this in Elihu's speech: he brings God forward and gives Him first His rights. He draws all his conclusions from there… Job had been haughty with God. He said it was no use pleasing Him. Elihu says God is certainly righteous. It did not become a man to say even to a prince "You are wicked," much less to God… It becomes man to bow under His hand and seek to be taught. Elihu wants Job fully tried and humbled here, because Job's words dishonoured God in front of wicked people.
There is also a reversal here. Elihu is not the one prolonging the suffering. Job's own refusal to bow is what keeps it going:
Samuel RidoutJob had found fault with God's judgments because they were not according to his shortsighted expectations. It was Job therefore who was choosing his own affliction, not Elihu, who longs to have him declare it, and clear himself.
The Wish Was Answered
The book itself settles whether Elihu judged rightly. What he said Job had got wrong is exactly what Job later admits, and the change in tone is total:
C. H. MackintoshAs to God, Elihu had declared Job's mistake in these words: "Job has spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom. Would that Job were tried to the end, because he answers like wicked men"… But notice the change. Listen to a truly repentant spirit speak… "Then Job answered the LORD and said… Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know… I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You" (Job 42:1-9).
Why God Lets a Trial Run Its Course
The principle behind the wish reaches past Job. A trial that meets self-will in us exposes it and wears it away.
J. N. DarbyWhen the trial is met in the truth and power of spiritual life, it brings out much more softness and maturity of grace. It gives a spirit more separated from the world to God, and better acquainted with God. Where the trial meets the flesh, it brings the will of the flesh — its rebellion — to light. The conscience becomes aware of it before God. And the discipline itself destroys the self-will, even without our noticing. Trial cannot in itself give grace. But under God's hand it can break the will, and uncover hidden and unsuspected evils, so that the new life develops more fully and widely.
Summary
- Unbroken. Elihu asks for more testing because Job never said "I have borne chastisement." The affliction had not yet reached his spirit.
- Unworthy answers. Job was not a wicked man, but he was answering like one, adding rebellion to whatever sin he had.
- Unhonoured God. The wish is not personal spite; Job's words had dishonoured God in front of others, and Elihu wants that put right.
- Unnecessary delay. Job's own refusal to bow, not Elihu's wish, was what chose and prolonged his affliction.
- Unfailing outcome. The wish came true. Tried to the end, Job took back what he had said — and the same discipline still brings self-will to light and destroys it.