An examination of who Elihu might have been

1. Elihu – who was he?
Laindon Bible Class
4th November 2015

2. Our approach
• The principal characters in the Book of Job
• The story line
• Theories about Elihu
• What difference does it make?
• What can we learn from Elihu?
Elihu 2

3. The principal characters
• The angel of God or His mortal representative (a priest?)
• Job himself, who probably lived in the time of the patriarchs
• Satan, his adversary, who is unnamed
• Job’s wife, who told him to “curse God and die”
• Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, Zophar
the Naamathite
• “Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram”
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4. The character of Job
• “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was
perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” Job 1:1
• “Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a
perfect and an upright man…?” Job 2:3
• “…ye [the 3 friends] have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my
servant Job” Job 42:8
• “Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it [ House of Israel] ,
they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness [cf Israel’s
rebellion], saith the Lord God.” Ezekiel 14:14
• “Ye have heard of the patience of Job [an example], and have seen the end of
the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” James 5:11
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5. The story line…
• Satan and the Sons of God present themselves before the Lord
• Job’s adversary challenges Job’s integrity
• Job is stripped of possessions and family
• He is then subject to horrible diseases
• His three friends come to talk with Job
• After their speeches, Elihu appears
• Elihu offers his assessment of the situation
• God speaks with Job and Job acknowledges God’s sovereignty
• His friends are rebuked and Job’s fortunes are restored
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6. Theories about who Elihu was
“A riddle, wrapped up in a mystery, inside an enigma”:
• He apparently arrives from nowhere, without explanation
• He then disappears without trace
1. Just another friend/acquaintance of Job’s
2. A mediator sent by God to correct Job
3. The adversary mentioned in the opening section of the book
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7. Theory 1 – Another friend/acquaintance
Pros
• Was present from the start 32:5
• Accuses him of wickedness 34:7-8
• Says Job justified himself 32:2
Cons
• God testified to Job’s righteousness Ez 14:14
• His arguments are somewhat different to
those of the friends but fundamentally the
same
• He claims to be God’s mediator 33:6
• He is not referred to by God 42:7
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8. Theory 2 – God’s mediator
Pros
• He claims to be God’s mediator 33:6, 36:2
• He waited patiently 32:4, 11
• He claims inspiration 32:7-8, 18
• He says he wants to justify Job 33:32
• He ascribes righteousness to God 36:3
Cons
• He offers his opinions 32:10, 17
• He accuses Job of rebellion 34:37 v 23:12
• His words conflict with God’s 42:7
• He wished Job to be tried to the end 34:36
• His role is not endorsed by God
• He may have been rebuked by God 38:1-2
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9. Theory 3 – He was the adversary (Satan)
Pros
• Satan was among the Sons of God 2:1
• It is likely that he would have wanted to
see the results of his persecution
• He was there from the beginning 32:5
• Why did God need a mediator?
• He offers his opinions 32:10, 17
• He wished Job to be tried to the end 34:36
• He did not speak right about Job 42:7
• He twists Job’s words 34:9 v 21:14-15
• He may have been rebuked by God 38:1-2
Cons
• He says he wants to justify Job 33:32
• Some of his arguments were sound
though misapplied eg 34:12
• Job does not respond to Elihu’s
accusations
• Job applies God’s opening words from the
whirlwind to himself cf 38:2 with 42:3
• It does not actually say Elihu was Satan in
the record
Elihu 9

10. What difference does it make?
• If it was of vital importance surely God would have revealed it?
• The fundamental lessons are unaffected:
• we are totally reliant on the grace and mercy of God (not our own
righteousness)
• there is no direct connection between our service and the blessings we
receive in this life (although we are under God’s providential care)
• I believe we should avoid interpretations that are inconsistent with
the rest of scripture (eg Job was rebellious)
• Job was one of the most faithful of men and a great example to us
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11. What can we learn from Elihu?
• We should not judge by appearances (good or bad)
• There may be a Satan amongst us
• It is easy to misapply scripture to suit our preconceptions
• Opinions can be dangerous, the only source of truth is God’s word
• We should be very careful about claiming to speak for God
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