Job 33

The Explanation

Job has lost almost everything: his children, his possessions, his health. His three friends have talked with him for a long time, but they only made things worse. They kept saying: Job, you must have done something wrong, that is why God is punishing you. Job kept saying back: I have not done anything that bad. God is being unfair to me.

Now a new person steps forward. His name is Elihu. He is younger than the others, and he has been listening all this time. In chapter 33 he finally starts to speak, directly to Job. He says: Job, listen to me. I am a human being just like you, made from clay, formed by God's Spirit. You do not have to be afraid of me. I will not shout you down.

Then Elihu carefully repeats what Job has been saying. Job said: I am innocent, but God treats me like an enemy. He locks up my feet, He watches every step I take.

Elihu answers: Job, here you are not right. God is much greater than a human being. You cannot demand that God explain every choice He makes. But listen, He does speak, only we often do not notice.

Elihu names two ways God speaks. First, through dreams at night. God can whisper warnings when someone sleeps, to hold that person back from doing something foolish or proud. Second, through sickness and pain. When someone lies on a sickbed, so thin that the bones stick out, so weak that even bread tastes awful, God can be speaking through that too.

And then Elihu says something beautiful. If there is an angel, a messenger, someone who explains what is right, then God can say: Save him from the pit. I have found a ransom. Then the sick person recovers. His skin becomes fresh again, like a child's. He prays and sees God's face with joy. He sings and says: I sinned, but God rescued my life from the darkness.

Elihu ends by saying: God does this again and again, to pull people back from death into the light of the living.

What Does This Mean?

Elihu says two things that are important. First: God is bigger than we are, and He does not always have to explain Himself. That is hard, especially when you are suffering. Second: God does speak, only in ways we do not always recognize. Through a dream. Through a difficult time. Through someone who suddenly says the right thing at the right moment.

Elihu does not say Job did something terrible. He says: pay attention, because God may be speaking to you right now, and you might miss it.

The Common Thread

Elihu talks about a ransom. Someone who pays so another can be set free from the pit. In the Old Testament this often meant a sacrifice. But when we read the whole Bible, we see where this points. Jesus called Himself a ransom for many. He went into the deepest pit so we could come into the light.

And Elihu says: God speaks. That is what the whole Bible is about. God is not silent. He speaks through creation, through His Word, through prophets, and finally through His Son Jesus, who is called the Word of God.

For You

Sometimes something hard happens and you do not understand why. Maybe you are sick, or a friendship breaks, or something at home hurts. It is okay to ask God: why? Job did that too, and God did not push him away for it.

But this chapter also asks something of you: listen. God speaks in ways you may not expect. Through a Bible verse that suddenly sticks. Through a dream. Through your parents or a teacher who says something you need to hear. Through a quiet feeling inside when you are about to do something you know is wrong.

You do not have to have all the answers. You are allowed to ask questions. But keep your ears open, because God is not silent.

Talk About It

Elihu says God sometimes speaks through difficult things, like sickness. Do you find that a comforting thought, or does it make you uneasy? Why?

Have you ever had the feeling that God was telling you something? How did that happen?

Praying Together

Father, thank You that You are not silent. Thank You that You speak, even when we do not always notice. Help us to listen. When things are hard and we do not understand, remind us that You are near, and that Jesus paid the ransom so we can walk in Your light. Amen.