1) Elihu was a character in the Book of Job who appeared after Job's three friends had spoken. 2) There are several theories about who Elihu was, such as another friend of Job, a mediator sent by God, or even the adversary (Satan) in disguise. 3) The identity of Elihu is ultimately unclear and not directly revealed by God, so his precise role remains uncertain, but the overall lessons from Job about reliance on God's grace remain unaffected.

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”
Elihu 3

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
Elihu 4

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
Elihu 5

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
Elihu 6

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
Elihu 7

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
Elihu 8

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
Elihu 11