Teach us what we shall say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of darkness.
Elihu has just pointed Job to the sky, spread out like a cast mirror. Now he dares Job to teach the rest of them what to say to God — then admits that in the dark no one can put a case together.
The challenge behind "teach us"
Elihu is not asking for help. He is handing Job the floor, knowing Job cannot take it. The challenge starts in the sky:
William KellyHad Job, with God, spread out the skies, strong as a cast mirror? If so, he could tell us what we should say to Him. Otherwise we have no ability to set anything in order because of darkness.
Wisdom and ignorance answer this demand in opposite ways:
William KellyThe wisest of men are the most ready to own their incompetence, and how little they know. This at least they know, that they cannot answer God... This is exactly how ignorance betrays itself. An ignorant man may not claim that he himself can answer. But he does not know the limits of human power and knowledge, so he imagines that men of reputation behind him can. Some are sure that, with intellect and science advancing, someone wiser could easily answer questions about nature asked three or four thousand years ago.
Darkness on our side, not God's
The darkness here is not God's failure to shine. It is the limit of what a creature can take in. Even those who walk with God know only a part:
William KellyEven with those men of God, we know only in part. There is great darkness even now.
So the order of speaking has to change:
Leslie M. GrantCould Job teach his friends — Elihu included — what to say to God? Elihu himself admits that he can prepare nothing to say "because of darkness" (19). For God's ways are wrapped in darkness until He reveals Himself. In other words, let God speak first before I dare to lift my voice.
"We", not "you"
Notice that Elihu does not say you cannot speak. He says we. He steps into the same ignorance he is describing, and speaks for everyone standing there:
Samuel RidoutAs he goes on, Elihu himself becomes the spokesman for all the lowly. We have undertaken to speak, who are only dust and ashes. "We cannot draw up our case because of darkness." Let us hush our voices and listen to Him!
Light behind the clouds
Not being able to explain God's dealings is not the same as God having no purpose in them:
Samuel RidoutIf we do not see the sunlight behind the clouds, it is still there, and in due time the mists will be blown away... It is the Almighty. We cannot fathom His greatness, but we know His uprightness is as great as His power. Let us bow in worship before Him: He does not listen to those who think they are wise.
Earlier in Elihu's speech the same point is drawn from the clouds themselves:
Leslie M. GrantThe obscurity caused by clouds should move us to realise that it is impossible for mere man to perceive why God deals as He does: His ways are hidden from human observation.
Job proved the verse true
Elihu's words were tested. Job had said he would present his case and fill his mouth with arguments. When God finally spoke, the speech never came:
Leslie M. Grant"Should He be told that I wish to speak?" (v.20). Job had said as much in chapter 23:3-4. He would present his case to God and fill his mouth with arguments. Did he do so when God spoke to him at last? No indeed! Instead he said, "Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth" (ch. 40:3-4).
(The verses quoted there follow an older translation.)
Why the darkness was so thick then
Elihu had creation to point to, and little more:
William KellyHere we can see that these are the infant days of even God's people. They spelled out the vast letters of heaven and earth, seen long before anyone read the Scriptures... Christ was not here yet. That is why this chapter points to the outward world, to show God's majesty, faithfulness, and gracious power in everything around man.
The same writer names what is needed to face God at all:
William KellyHe who does not gaze on the Son cannot face God.
Summary
- Darkness — the problem is not God hiding; it is the creature's limit. Even people who walk with God know only in part.
- Silence — since we cannot arrange our case, the right response is to stop talking and listen.
- Order — God speaks first. His ways stay hidden until He reveals them, so our words come second or not at all.
- Light — the sun behind the cloud has not gone out, and His uprightness is as great as His power. Whoever does not gaze on the Son cannot face God.
- Proof — Job planned a speech full of arguments and ended with his hand over his mouth. Elihu's words were right.