Description

Introduction of Elihu, “the fourth friend”

Introduction of the speeches

From Woolvard and Zuck:

a.  First speech

• To all four 32:6-9
• To the three original friends: 32:10-14
• To Job 32:15-33:3

b.  Second speech (Ch 34)

•  To the three and then
• To Job

c.  Third speech (Ch 35)

•  To Job 

d.  Fourth speech (Ch 36-37)

• To Job
• To three
• To Job

Chapter 32: Introduction to Elihu:

-  Son of Barachel, the Buzite

-  Angry

• At Job (32:1-3)
• At the 3 friends because they had no answer.

-  Intimidated to Prideful 
-  Speaking in his spirit (in his opinion: 32:6,10,17)
-  Believes in God: 27 mentions in chapter 32-33 alone
-  Young (32:4) 

Chapter 33: Elihu’s speech begins

A simplified outline of 33:

• Elihu relates to Job, “Don’t be afraid, I am like you – made by the same God…”
• Elihu rebukes Job for disrespecting God in his previous speeches.
• Elihu tells Job how God is speaking to him for good reasons.

Points of Elihu’s  1st speech – once he gets to it – has some wonderful truths! GOD is in this!

1.     Job shouldn’t pompously bring charges against God, or expect God to give an account.

2.     God DOES speak, but no often one notices 33:14 

a.     Through dreams and visions (33:15-18)

b.     Through pain (33:19-22)

• C.S. Lewis:  God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.

c.     Through an angel or mediator for him (33:23-28)

3.     WHY? Does God communicate?

a.     That he may turn aside from his conduct (33:17)

b.     To deliver him from going down into the pit and be enlightened with the light of life. (33:23,28,30)

c.     That he will one day tell others, “I was near the pit and God saved me!” (33:28)

Our Mediator is Christ :

• Provides a ransom (just like 33:24)
• His flesh becomes fresher than his youth (25)
• Brings joy (26)
• Restores righteousness (26)
• Redeems (28)
• Brings back soul from the pit (30)
• Enlightens us with the light of life (30)
• Delivers us from Hell. (24)

Summary Principles:

I. The Holy Spirit is not confined by man's age.

II. God is not confined to man's understanding.

• God’s delays are not His lack of involvement.
• God doesn’t have to answer to us.

III. God's communication is not confined to our selective hearing. 

• Davey, “When life is confusing, God is still communicating.”
• Living in lack of understanding can be our sign of faith to Him. “I don’t understand, but I trust.”
• Our Mediator is Christ.

Final principle from our first day of class in September applies well to this chapter: 

“We don’t have to understand His world to trust His hand.”