Job 33:1 - Meaning and Application

Elihu uses several arguments here to persuade Job to listen patiently and believe that he means well. Job should notice, first, that Elihu does not side with Job’s three friends. In the last chapter, Elihu already showed that he disagreed with their way of handling Job’s case and rejected their main idea. So he says, “Job, please listen to what I say” (Job 33:1). They had all been repeating the same line, but Elihu was taking a different approach. Job should hear all of his words, not just a part of them, because a speech cannot be judged fairly unless it is heard through to the end.

Second, Elihu wants Job to know that this is serious business for him, not a quick comment or a chance to show off. After keeping silent for a long time, he opened his mouth with care and purpose (Job 33:2). He had thought this through, and he was ready to continue if Job would pay attention.

Third, Elihu says he will speak honestly, exactly as he thinks, and not say anything else (Job 33:3). His words will come from “the uprightness of my heart,” meaning they will be the true result of his own convictions and beliefs. There was good reason to suspect that Job’s three friends did not truly believe all the harsh things they said about him. They seemed to be defending their theory more than telling the truth. It is a wicked thing to condemn people with our words just to protect our argument, when our conscience tells us otherwise. Elihu refuses to do that.

Fourth, Elihu says his speech will be plain and easy to understand. He wants his words to be clear, so Job can quickly grasp what he means. People who speak about God should avoid confusing language and muddled ideas as much as possible. Clear speech shows that they understand what they are saying, mean honestly, and want to help their listeners.

Fifth, Elihu says he will do the best he can with the reason and understanding God has given him, that life, that rational soul, which he received from the Spirit of God and the breath of the Almighty (Job 33:4). He admits he is younger than Job’s other counselors, but he does not want Job to despise his youth. Elihu is also God’s workmanship, made by the same hand and given the same kind of mind and abilities. If God made him, then God can use him as an instrument for Job’s good. We should think this way too, and use our abilities to do good where we are. God gave us life, so we should use it for a worthy purpose, to glorify him and serve the people of our time according to his will.

Sixth, Elihu says he is willing to hear Job’s reply if Job has one (Job 33:5). If Job can answer, he should lay out his case. If he still has strength and soundness of mind, let him put his words in order, and Elihu will give them careful attention. People who can speak reason should also listen to reason.

Seventh, Elihu reminds Job that he has often wished for someone to stand up for him before God, someone with whom he could speak freely and to whom he could submit the matter as a judge or mediator, a person who helps two sides come to an agreement (Job 33:6). Elihu says he can fill that role for the moment. Job had longed for someone to plead for a person before God (Job 16:21), and to know where he might find God (Job 22:3). He had only asked that such an opponent would not terrify him (Job 13:21). Now Elihu says, in effect, “Since that is what you wanted, treat me as standing in God’s place for this discussion. I will explain God’s case against you, and you can bring your complaints to me.”

Eighth, Elihu says he is not in a stronger position than Job. “I also am formed out of clay” (Job 33:6). In other words, he too is human, made from the same material as the first man (Genesis 2:7), and made by the same Creator as Job. Job had used that thought with God as a reason not to deal harshly with him (Job 10:9). Elihu now uses it about himself. It is good for all of us to remember that we are made from clay. It is also a mercy that God often speaks to us through people like ourselves. He has wisely put his treasure in earthen vessels, that is, in frail human lives like ours (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Ninth, Elihu says Job has no reason to be frightened by the way he is pressing the matter (Job 33:7). He will not terrorize Job the way his friends have done with their arguments, nor will he heap harsh accusations on him. And he will not frighten Job the way God might if God himself appeared in majesty to reason with him. Elihu is standing on the same level as Job, made of the same clay, so he cannot bring the kind of overwhelming fear that would come from the direct appearance of God. If we want to help people understand the truth, we must use reason and fair argument, not fear and force.