The Bible Recap: Day 012 (Job 32-34) - Year 7

Host: Tara-Leigh Cobble
Release Date: January 12, 2025

Introduction of Elihu

In Day 012 of Year 7, Tara-Leigh Cobble delves into Job chapters 32-34, introducing a pivotal character—Elihu. For the first time in nearly a week, Elihu enters the narrative, marking a significant shift in the dialogue surrounding Job's suffering.

• Elihu's Anger:
  "He's very angry. Elihu... is angry not only at Job, but also at Job's three friends because they're all kind of self-righteous." ([00:02])

Elihu is characterized by his intense anger, not just towards Job but also towards Job's three friends, whom he perceives as self-righteous. Despite being a newcomer, Elihu's presence is impactful, challenging the existing dynamics of the conversation.

Elihu’s Background and Motivation

Tara explores Elihu's background, highlighting his humility and the reasons behind his delayed intervention in Job’s plight.

• Listening in Silence:
  "Chapter 32, verse 4 makes it sound like Elihu has been there all along, listening to the whole back and forth from everyone. And he's been holding his tongue, perhaps out of some humility since he's younger than everyone else..." ([00:02])

Elihu's restraint is attributed to his youth and humility, as well as a fear of man, as revealed in the subsequent verses. His decision to speak up comes after witnessing the ineffectiveness of Job's friends in addressing Job's suffering.

Challenging Age and Wisdom

A key theme Elihu introduces is the relationship between age and wisdom, emphasizing that wisdom is a divine gift rather than solely a product of time and experience.

• Wisdom from God:
  "Age doesn't always equal wisdom, and youth doesn't always equal foolishness. Elihu points out in verse eight that it's God, not time, who grants wisdom." ([00:02])

Elihu asserts that God alone dispenses wisdom, sometimes bypassing traditional means like age and experience. He believes that his own wisdom is a testament to God's direct intervention, suggesting that listeners may need to reassess their perceptions of wisdom and maturity.

Rebuking Job's Friends

Elihu criticizes Job's three friends for their inability to provide a substantive rebuttal to Job's arguments throughout their discussions.

• Failure to Rebut:
  "He starts out by rebuking Job's three friends and telling them that in all their speeches they were never able to offer a proper rebuttal to what Job said." ([00:02])

This critique sets the stage for Elihu to position himself as a more effective and insightful commentator on Job's situation, highlighting the shortcomings of the previous speeches.

Approach to Rebuking Job

Transitioning to Job himself, Elihu adopts a slightly more gentle tone compared to Job's friends, yet he remains firm in his rebuke.

• Gentle Rebuke:
  "Then in chapter 33, he goes on to rebuke Job, even though he initially approaches it with a little more gentleness than the other three did." ([00:02])

Elihu emphasizes that his intentions are not to burden Job but to guide him, although he acknowledges that he makes some missteps in his arguments.

Elihu’s Missteps

Despite his newfound perspective, Elihu isn't infallible. He incorrectly accuses Job of claiming innocence, which Tara points out.

• Incorrect Accusation:
  "He gets a few things wrong in his rebuke of Job, though in verse 9 he said Job had claimed to be without transgression and Job never actually claimed that." ([00:02])

This mistake underscores the complexity of Job's character and the challenges in interpreting his declarations accurately.

God’s Long-Term Plan

Elihu introduces the concept of God employing hardship as a tool for eventual healing and restoration, emphasizing God's eternal perspective.

• God’s Patience and Eternal Plan:
  "In verses 29:30, Elihu points out that sometimes God brings hardship in the temporary in order to bring healing in the eternal. He says, behold, God does all these things twice, three times with a man to bring back his soul from the pit that he may be lighted with the light of life." ([00:02])

Tara elaborates that Elihu is suggesting God operates on a long timeline, using trials to refine and ultimately restore individuals. This perspective aligns with themes previously presented by Job's friends but takes on a more nuanced approach.

Elihu’s Accusations and Job’s Plight

Elihu continues his rebuke by accusing Job of associating with wickedness and rebelling against God, intensifying Job's sense of isolation and misunderstanding.

• Accusations Against Job:
  "He starts to accuse Job of walking with the wicked men, of being foolish, and not only of sinning, but also rebelling against God." ([00:02])

Tara empathizes with Job’s situation, highlighting the compounded suffering he endures—not only the loss of family and possessions but also the relentless rebuke from his friends and Elihu.

Relatable Struggles and Faith

Drawing parallels between Job's trials and listeners' own experiences, Tara emphasizes the universal nature of suffering and the struggle to maintain faith amidst adversity.

• Connecting with Listeners:
  "If you haven't yet, you almost certainly will tomorrow. We'll finish up Elihu's speech, but as for today, what was your God shot?" ([00:02])

She encourages listeners to reflect on their own "God shots"—moments that capture God's character and presence in their lives, fostering a deeper trust and connection despite current hardships.

Elihu’s Message on Trust and Learning

Tara concludes by resonating with Elihu’s message about trusting God's long-term plan, likening God to a parent who allows children to learn through struggles for their ultimate benefit.

• Trusting God’s Process:
  "God isn't always lined up with my desires in the moment and that he can see further than I can. It makes me trust him more." ([00:02])

She underscores the importance of trusting God's sovereignty and patience, even when immediate circumstances seem bleak, highlighting the potential for growth and deeper faith through enduring trials.

Conclusion

In this episode, Tara-Leigh Cobble effectively introduces Elihu as a significant new voice in Job's narrative, offering fresh insights into the themes of wisdom, suffering, and divine purpose. Elihu's perspective challenges both Job and his friends, prompting listeners to contemplate the nature of wisdom and the complexities of maintaining faith amidst adversity.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Age doesn't always equal wisdom, and youth doesn't always equal foolishness." – Elihu ([00:02])
2. "God does all these things twice, three times with a man to bring back his soul from the pit that he may be lighted with the light of life." – Elihu ([00:02])
3. "If you just lost your Job and your home and your family was killed, and God feels distant and your friends all just keep rebuking you." – Tara-Leigh Cobble ([00:02])
4. "I want the kind of parent who lets me suffer through doing my homework so that I can learn to read." – Tara-Leigh Cobble ([00:02])

These quotes encapsulate the episode's exploration of wisdom beyond age, God's intricate plans, the depths of Job's suffering, and the personal reflections on trust and growth through hardship.