Job 33

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33 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.

Elihu is stating he has a lot to say and he wants Job's attention.

2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.

I am speaking now, I have already thought or rehearsed the things I am going to say now.

3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.

Elihu brags; I am speaking from a clear heart, and my lips shall speak of what I know and I will be clear.

4 The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

God made me who I am and he breathe life into me. I am certified by God.  I am a minister and I filled with a word from God.

5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.

If you can answer me, prepare your words and stand up.

Defend yourself Job.  Here Elihu is talking but his words sound anxious and unclear.  Is he telling Job to answer, prepare your words and stand or defend yourself?

6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.

Job I am as God to you.  Although I am a man.

7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.

I will not make you scared and I will keep it light on you.

8 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,

I heard you speak Job.

9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.

10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,

11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.

Job spoke verses 9, 10, and 11, and Elihu is quoting what he stated earlier.

12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.

Job what you stated are words that are not right.  

13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

Why do you argue with God?  God does not answer to man.

14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.

God warns us more than once but man does not pay attention.

15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;

God speaks in dreams.

16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.

18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.

19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:

God sends dreams and warns man about the evil that he may confront.  Dreams are our personal contact with God.

Is Elihu stating that dreams are God's way of communicating with all men for all times?

20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.

The dream God shows are so bad you will lose your appetite.

21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.

You will lose a lot of weight.

22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.

Again Elihu makes no sense in these words.  Your soul is going one way and your life is taken to the executioner. 

23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:

God may send 1 out of 1000 to stand as a mediator among you to show you what he needs to do to become right.

24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.

Then the prophet (perhaps) will be as a ransom and deliver the man from the pit.

25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: 

His flesh will be renewed like a child and strength will be renewed.

26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.

God will favor the sinner and his face will display joy.

27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;

28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.

If any man will admit he is a sinner God will deliver his soul from hell and he will see the light.

29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,

God does this many times.

30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.

He does this to restore man back to him.

31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.

32 If thou hast anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.

33 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.

Verse 31 says listen to me, be quiet and I will speak

Verse 32 listen to me, answer me, now say something, I want to help you.

Verse 33 Listen to me hold your peace, be quiet I will teach you wisdom.

Elihu 

1. young

2. arrogant

3. he talks without a sense of order

4.  he sounds confused

5. he hops around 

6.  He ends his message with hope

His entire message is unclear.

Sing or  Say

Listen brother Job

I pray you hear my speech

I  will now open my mouth

Pay close attention to me

I will be honest

I will speak from my heart

What I know will be clear

I just want to share my part

When Elihu spoke

His  words  were not clear

He boasted of himself

And that’s hard on the ear.

Elihu went on and on

Like many do today

Speaking empty words

As food that has no taste.

This is a chapter

That I can learn from

Not to do as Elihu 

Silence is his wisdom.