Every year there comes a point as I read in the latter chapters of Job where I ask myself, “Self, what do you make of Elihu?” You know, Elihu, the fourth man in the fray.

Not one of the three friends that came to Job to sympathize and comfort him after his world imploded (Job 1:11), Elihu’s someone who saw the crowd and decided to join the parade as a silent observer. But the eavesdropper eventually has enough of the back-and-forth between Job and his council of three and so decides to weigh in. Where Elihu came from we’re not entirely sure, but it’s trying to understand where he’s going that can produce a blessing.

While his discourse echo’s similar strains of the three caballeros, he contends there’s “still more to be said on God’s behalf” (Job.36:2b). He’s frustrated that Job indicts God as unjust (Job 32:2b, 34:5) and that Job’s life circumstance has tempted Job to conclude, “A man gains nothing when he becomes God’s friend” (Job. 34:9). Elihu’s also bent out of shape at Job’s three miserable comforters “because they had failed to refute [Job] and yet condemned him” (Job 32:3). So Elihu takes the mic and presents a third way of engaging in the argument.

Rather than Job’s “I am righteous, therefore God must be wrong” or the testy trio’s “God is righteous, therefore you must have done something terribly, terribly wrong”, Elihu seeks to refute Job by refocusing on God. To that end, Elihu sort of becomes the “opening act” to the main event of the book which is when, in chapter 38, God Himself takes center stage and says, “Listen up!”

So, while all of Elihu’s conclusions may not be entirely correct, it seems I’d do well to take note of what He has to say about God. For when we are clear about God, it has a way of bringing clarity about ourselves and our situations.

I’m reading in Job 36 this morning, but up to this point there’s been a number of redemptive hints dropped by the young orator. He’s spoken of God wanting to turn a person from his actions (Job 33:17), of God wanting to spare a person’s soul from the Pit (33:18), of finding a ransom which keeps someone from going down to the Pit (33:24), and of God intervening so that a person doesn’t get what they deserve but is instead redeemed so that they can continue to walk in light (33:27-28). While condemning Job’s condemnation of God, Elihu doesn’t so much condemn Job as he does exhort Job.

Yes, God is mighty, but He despises no one;
He understands all things.

If people are bound with chains
and trapped by the cords of affliction,
God tells them what they have done
and how arrogantly they have transgressed.
He opens their ears to correction
and tells them to repent from iniquity.

Be careful that you do not turn to iniquity,
for that is why you have been tested by affliction.

Remember that you should praise His work,
which people have sung about.
All mankind has seen it;
people have looked at it from a distance.
Yes, God is exalted beyond our knowledge;
the number of His years cannot be counted.

(Job 36:5, 8-10, 21, 24-26 CSB)

Lot of truth about God in this morning’s reading. But a couple of exhortations, a couple of commands to obey, as well. Be careful! Remember!

Affliction, it can make or break you, Elihu seems to be saying. It can turn your face toward God, or it can tempt you to shake your fist at Him. It can be your redemption and renewal, or it can be your ruin. So be careful. Your affliction is testing you. It’s trying your faith. It’s authenticating your standing as a son or daughter of the Father. It’s sealing the deal on your sanctification.

So, be careful. But be careful AND remember. Remember that God should be praised. Praised not for how He may be blessing (or not so much) in our current circumstance or season but for who He is in all circumstances and seasons. Remember, God is exalted beyond our knowledge — whether you choose to do the exalting or not. But it is better — so much better — if you continue to sing the song that countless have sung through the ages who have found God greater than any situation and faithful through all situations.

Be careful. Remember.

Only by and because of God’s grace. Always for God’s glory.