Trying to hear what the kid has to say this morning. Elihu has listened long enough to the back-and-forth of the grey-heads, now it’s his turn.

Job has already had his “drop the mic” moment (Job 31:40), and now the younger and respectful Elihu, burning with anger (32:2-3), is compelled to grab the mic from Job’s miserable comforters to try and set some things straight. First, he addresses Job’s three friends (32:11-22). Then, the kid turns his attention to Job.

As I read Elihu’s opening discourse, what grabs me is how gospel-like it sounds.

” . . . man prays to God, and He accepts him;
He sees His face with a shout of joy, and He restores to man His righteousness.

He sings before men and says:
‘I sinned and perverted what was right, and it was not repaid to me.
He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit, and my life shall look upon the light.’

“Behold, God does all these things, twice, three times, with a man . . . ”

(Job 33:26-29a ESV)

Read it again with Peterson’s words . . .

“Fall on your knees and pray — to God’s delight! You’ll see God’s smile and celebrate, finding yourself set right with God.

You’ll sing God’s praises to everyone you meet, testifying, ‘I messed up my life — and let me tell you, it wasn’t worth it. But God stepped in and saved me from certain death. I’m alive again! Once more I see the light!’

“This is the way God works. Over and over again . . . ”

(Job 33:26-29a MSG)

Sounds pretty New Testament to me, how about you? Maybe God really is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Elihu get’s to this gospel summary by first pointing out that God, though greater than man (33:12), condescends to speak to man, even when man might think he is as great as God. And that God has a couple of ways to “turn man aside from his deeds”, to “rebuke man”(33:19a, 23b). God can speak to man through revelation so that man might hear the words of God (33:15-16), or God may use pain and suffering so that a man might feel his way to God (33:19). Either way, it is so that God might show man “what is right for him” (33:23b). And what is right is that God longs to be merciful, and seeks to deliver, and can do so because He has “found a ransom” (33:24).

And why does Elihu try and get all this through to Job?

“Pay attention, O Job, listen to me; be silent, and I will speak. If you have any words, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you.”

(Job 33:31-32 ESV)

I desire to justify you . . .

Job, you’ve been trying so hard to justify yourself. Listen, I want to justify you. I want your name cleared as much as you do. I want your righteousness, too. But it’s not found in your clinging to your self-righteousness nor in your feeble demands to stand before God in order to justify yourself.

It’s found in a merciful God who longs to keep your soul from the pit and your life from perishing (33:18). It’s found not in you trying to convince Him of your own righteousness, but in a God who has Himself has provided a ransom for you. It’s found in redemption. It’s found in restoration. It’s found in another who wants to justify you. Then, will you know the light of life.

And how does God want to bring you to that realization, and ultimately to rest, Job? Through your pain.

How might He graciously work to bring His longing for you to remembrance? Through your suffering.

How will you stand justified? Only by Him, and in Him, as He alone can be your justifier.

Yeah, sounds kind of gospel-like to me. Maybe the kid knows a thing or two.

About God’s grace. For God’s glory.