Sermon for April 6th, 2014
Contents
Job 32:1-10 Get Ready (for Elihu)
1So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became angry. He was angry at Job because he justified himself rather than God; 3he was angry also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, though they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he. 5But when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouths of these three men, he became angry.
6Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite answered: ‘I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you. 7 I said, “Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.” 8But truly it is the spirit in a mortal, the breath of the Almighty, that makes for understanding. 9It is not the old that are wise, nor the aged that understand what is right. 10Therefore I say, “Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion.”
Eli Who?
If you have faithfully paying attention up to this point our sermon series on the "other voices" in the Book of Job; if you've been following along with the story, and the characters, and the conversations, there should be one glaring question on your mind right now, after listening to the opening verses of chapter 32. It's probably the same question that's on the minds of Job and his three friends: Who the 'El is Elihu? Or to put it more succinctly...Eli...who??
That's actually a really good question. Some people lump Elihu together with Job's friends, but in chapter two, when the friends are introduced, Elihu's name is not among them. During the back and forth conversation between Job and his friends, Elihu is never once mentioned and never speaks a word. He just suddenly appears right here in chapter 32, although it seems obvious from his words that he has been listening to the conversation for awhile (we just have no idea how long). Elihu speaks through this and the next five chapters without being interupted a single time by Job. Neither Job nor any of the friends ever respond to Elihu's words. In fact, once he finishes speaking, he's never mentioned in the book again. When God rebukes Job, and then rebukes Job's three friends, Elihu is left out of that list, too. He simply appears out of nowhere, speaks passionately for six chapters, and then disappears.
Elihu is a puzzle, a mystery. His speeches don't fit the pattern we've seen thus far between Job and his friends. His entire presence in this story seems (at first glance) awkward and out of place. This has led some scholars to speculate that chapters 32-37 were inserted into the book at a later date, and not part of the original composition. While that's entirely possible, I think a closer look at this strange, often neglected and misunderstood voice in the book of Job yields some amazing, eye-opening, and inspiring possibilities.
Elihu in Art
As we have done before, let's start by turning to art. Sometimes an artist, with carefully trained eye, will pick up on things in the text that others miss.
- The Wrath of Elihu - William Blake (1805).
- Job in His Adversity Arthur Ackland Hunt (late 1800s)
Notice anything the depictions have in common? How about with this guy?
Job 33:14-28 God's Justice / God's Mercy
14For God speaks in one way, and in two, though people do not perceive it. 15In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on mortals, while they slumber on their beds, 16 then he opens their ears, and terrifies them with warnings, 17 that he may turn them aside from their deeds, and keep them from pride, 18to spare their souls from the Pit, their lives from traversing the River. 19They are also chastened with pain upon their beds, and with continual strife in their bones, 20so that their lives loathe bread, and their appetites dainty food. 21Their flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen; and their bones, once invisible, now stick out. 22 Their souls draw near the Pit, and their lives to those who bring death.
23Then, if there should be for one of them an angel, a mediator, one of a thousand, one who declares a person upright, 24and he is gracious to that person, and says, “Deliver him from going down into the Pit; I have found a ransom; 25let his flesh become fresh with youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigour”; 26then he prays to God, and is accepted by him, he comes into his presence with joy, and God repays him for his righteousness. 27That person sings to others and says, “I sinned, and perverted what was right, and it was not paid back to me. 28 He has redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit, and my life shall see the light.”
Job 35:4-8 Elihu's Answer
4I will answer you and your friends with you. 5Look at the heavens and see; observe the clouds, which are higher than you. 6If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him? And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him? 7If you are righteous, what do you give to him; or what does he receive from your hand? 8Your wickedness affects others like you, and your righteousness, other human beings.
Job 37: Get Ready (for God)
1‘At this also my heart trembles, and leaps out of its place. 2Listen, listen to the thunder of his voice and the rumbling that comes from his mouth. 3Under the whole heaven he lets it loose, and his lightning to the corners of the earth. 4After it his voice roars; he thunders with his majestic voice and he does not restrain the lightnings when his voice is heard.
8Then the animals go into their lairs and remain in their dens. 9From its chamber comes the whirlwind, and cold from the scattering winds. 10By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast. 11He loads the thick cloud with moisture; the clouds scatter his lightning. 12They turn round and round by his guidance, to accomplish all that he commands them on the face of the habitable world. 13Whether for correction, or for his land, or for love, he causes it to happen.
