Near the end of the book of Job, a young man enters the conversation: Elihu. Elihu has something to say to both Job and the four friends. Elihu's speech gives important truth addressing the problem of suffering.
Believers have pondered the problem of suffering since history's beginning. The question hits us all: "If God is good and just, why is there evil and suffering in the world?"
The Bible doesn't shy away from this topic. Far from it. The first written book of the Bible is Job. Job was a contemporary of Abraham. Generations later, Moses wrote the narrative of the first five books of the Bible. However, many scholars believe Job was written before the time of Moses, making the first narrative a poetic story exploring the question, "Why do good people suffer?"
What Bible Passage Mentions Elihu?
Elihu appears in Job 32-Job 37.
For those unfamiliar with the story, Job, the central character, experiences immense suffering. He loses his wealth, health, and family, leading him to question the reasons for his afflictions. Throughout the book, Job's friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—dialogue with him, attempting to explain his suffering with their understanding of God's justice and righteousness.
The three friends look at Job's suffering and conclude he must have sinned. Job defends his innocence. The back-and-forth dialogue makes up the majority of the book of Job.
However, Elihu appears later in the narrative as a young man who has been listening to the ongoing conversation. Elihu is described as "angry with Job because he justified himself rather than God" (Job 32:2). The three friends only judge Job—rather than speaking on God's behalf, they assume God is punishing Job. Job responds by defending himself and then questions God's justice and goodness.
Elihu is displeased with both Job's self-righteousness and his friends' inability to provide a satisfactory answer to Job's suffering.
Despite his criticism, Elihu acknowledges their age and experience, respecting his elders.
Elihu's speeches bridge the dialogues of Job and his friends and the book's final section: God appearing. After Elihu's speeches, God addresses Job directly, emphasizing His sovereignty and wisdom.
What Do We Know about Elihu?
While the biblical text provides limited information about him, we can glean some insights into his background and role from the passages where he is mentioned.
He is listed as the son of Barachel, a Buzite. The term Buzite likely refers to Elihu being from the land of Buz. A second possible explanation would be that he is from a tribe of Buz.
The text describes Elihu as a young man compared to Job and his friends. In Job 32:6, Elihu acknowledges his youthfulness and respects the older generation, which was the custom of his time. Elihu becomes increasingly frustrated with the arguments Job and his friends put forth. He believes they have failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for Job's suffering and have not adequately defended God's righteousness.
Elihu attributes his understanding and wisdom to the Spirit of God. In Job 32:8, he says, "But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand." Elihu perceives his insights as inspired by God's Spirit, which drives him to speak.
Despite respecting his elders, Elihu feels compelled to speak and share his insights. He believes he has a unique perspective to offer in the ongoing debate.
Beyond his appearance in the Book of Job, the Bible does not provide further information about Elihu, his lineage, or his background. His name, "Elihu," means "My God is He" or "God is my helper," which carries a meaningful connotation in the context of his speeches about God's role as the divine Helper and Teacher.
What Is the Core Theme of Elihu's Message to Job?
Elihu's core message revolves around God's justice, wisdom, and the purpose of suffering.
Throughout his speeches, Elihu passionately defends God's justice and righteousness. He believes God is just in His dealings with humanity and that suffering is not arbitrary but serves a purpose. Elihu asserts that God is fair and impartial, contrasting this view with Job's earlier complaints about perceived injustice in his suffering.
He makes the point Job can't judge God's goodness based on a temporary situation, even one as tragic and painful as Job's. Job can't treat the middle of the story like the end of the story. While there may be suffering now, God will make everything right in the end.
In this particular case, Job needs to repent.
It's important to note that God ultimately blesses Job, giving him twice as much as he had before. The narrative ends with blessing and abundance.
Elihu underscores the wisdom and knowledge of God. He argues that God's ways are beyond human comprehension and that people should humbly acknowledge God's superior understanding. Elihu uses the natural world as evidence of God's wisdom, emphasizing that God's creation reflects His limitless intelligence and power.
Elihu introduces the concept that suffering can serve as a means of instruction and correction. He contends that God allows suffering in people's lives to teach them important lessons, to turn their hearts back to Him, and to help them grow spiritually. Elihu sees suffering as a tool for refining and molding individuals.
The truth is shared. God is glorified as the mighty, righteous, just God he is. Elihu makes his appeal with respect and love. This opens the door for God to reveal himself to Job, which Job has longed for throughout the conversation with the three friends.
Elihu's role in the narrative isn't to draw attention to himself but to God. And with this, God responds.
What Separates Elihu's Message from the Message that Job's Three Friends Give?
Elihu's message in the Book of Job differs significantly from the messages delivered by Job's three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. While all four characters engage in a theological and philosophical dialogue regarding Job's suffering, the distinctions in Elihu's message are notable and provide a unique perspective on the complex issues.
Elihu is introduced in the text as a young man, and he acknowledges his youthfulness (Job 32:6). This distinction sets him apart from Job's three friends, who are older and more experienced. Elihu's youth gives him a fresh perspective and the courage to challenge the prevailing views presented by the older characters.
Elihu asserts that he will speak impartially and honestly without showing partiality to any disputing party (Job 32:21-22). His posture contrasts with Job's three friends, who consistently take sides and attribute Job's suffering to his supposed sins. Elihu's impartial approach aims to provide an unbiased perspective on the matter. What empowers him to be impartial? He speaks by the Spirit of God.
He also strongly defends God's justice, showing how God is kind and loving and sees people in pain. In contrast, Job's friends tend to present a more legalistic perspective, suggesting that suffering is always a direct consequence of sin.
Elihu uses the natural world and creation as a source of wisdom and metaphorical examples throughout his speeches. He parallels God's actions in the natural world and His dealings with humanity. This approach differs from the more traditional arguments of Job's friends, which rely heavily on human wisdom and legalistic interpretations.
Job's friends only see the suffering as a punishment for sin, even if they don't know what it is. They don't consider how suffering can be instructive and strengthen faith. This is the reality and loving truth Elihu brings.
Job and his friends talk about God more academically and argumentatively. Elihu praises God and focuses his audience's attention more fully upon the person and character of God, acknowledging God's sovereignty and glory.
What Can We Learn from Elihu's Message Today?
People still ask the same question of God today. If he is good, why do bad things happen? Why is there suffering? Elihu's message does two important things. First, he answers those questions through a worship of God in truth. Second, his message brings us to the ultimate gift, a message from God himself. We should also seek to answer the question of suffering in our world in such a way that people directly come into relationship with God. He is the ultimate answer.
What can we learn from Elihu?
- The Importance of Humility. Elihu emphasizes the importance of humility before God. He reminds us that human wisdom and understanding have limitations, and there are aspects of God's ways that we may never fully comprehend. In our quest for answers and understanding, it is essential to approach God with humility, recognizing His sovereignty and wisdom.
- Acknowledging God's Justice. God isn't unjust; this isn't the end of the story. We should also passionately defend God's justice and goodness, reminding people of the unwavering truth that God is just in all His ways. Even when we face unfair trials and suffering, we can trust that God's justice ultimately prevails. This perspective encourages us to maintain faith in God's character.
- Suffering as a Means of Instruction. Elihu introduces the idea that suffering can serve as a means of instruction and correction. While we may not fully embrace suffering as a desired experience, we can learn from it. Suffering can teach us important lessons, deepen our faith, and draw us closer to God if we allow it to shape our character positively.
- Balanced Perspective on Age and Wisdom. Elihu's presence in the narrative challenges the idea that wisdom is solely the domain of older people. His willingness to speak the truth and challenge prevailing views demonstrates that wisdom can be found in individuals of all ages. This lesson encourages us to value diverse perspectives and not dismiss the insights of the younger generation. Younger generations need those of the same ilk to speak the eternal truth in their cultural language.
- Impartiality and Compassion. Elihu's commitment to speaking impartially and without showing partiality highlights the importance of treating others fairly and compassionately. It reminds us to approach complex issues with an open mind and a willingness to consider multiple viewpoints. We are on God's side because he is good and will do good things. We speak from a heavenly perspective, which lifts all people's vision higher to God.
- Preparation for God's Revelation. Elihu's role in preparing the way for God's revelation underscores the significance of patience and trust in God's timing. Sometimes, before we receive answers or deeper insights, we must go through a period of waiting and reflection. Elihu's message serves as a stepping stone toward greater understanding. Also, our focus and goal shouldn't be to have the answers but to introduce people to the One who is the Answer.
- Repentance and Self-Examination. Elihu does not assume Job has sinned but encourages Job to examine his heart and consider whether he needs to acknowledge some sins or wrongdoings before God. We must remember the value of self-examination and a willingness to confront our shortcomings and seek reconciliation with God.
- Theology of Suffering. Elihu's message contributes to a broader theology of suffering. It reminds us that suffering is a complex and multifaceted experience that can have purposes beyond punishment. It encourages us to seek spiritual growth and transformation amid adversity.
Incorporating these lessons from Elihu's message into our lives today can help us navigate the challenges of suffering, deepen our faith, and speak the truth in love that brings others into a direct relationship with God. May we learn how to speak by the Spirit like Elihu in our day and age for the good of all!
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/JonnyJim
This article is part of our People of Christianity catalog that features the stories, meaning, and significance of well-known people from the Bible and history. Here are some of the most popular articles for knowing important figures in Christianity:
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