First, they summarize the argument of jobs three friends. The bulk of elihu s speech then focuses on the justice of god, which elihu feels job has maligned. Elihu, the forgotten prophet of job the book of job is one of the most important of the entire bible, and is a prerequisite to all discussions of christian theology, particularly theodicy. Out text this morning is job chapter 8, with only 22 verses, some of which i will prayerfully note. Elihu s speeches prepare the way for the lord speech to come. Elihu is not mentioned again after he ends his speech with job. If we were to film this book, the whole movie would take place on a single set, probably in a single day. He is said to have descended from buz who may be from the line of abraham genesis 22. Job had not been able to understand the purpose of his suffering. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly.
My argument in this paper is that the elihu speeches have a twofold role in job. A prerequisite for this discussion is the view on the book as a poem, and it has become a question whether the elihu speeches could have been written by the same writer as the rest of the speech material. In his second speech to job, god suggest the existence of purpose in evil through the image of leviathan. The book of job is often referred to as one of the great classics of world literature. Elihu waited out jobs speech, for they were all older than he. It is deeply poetic image with extensive ties to the babylonian.
Job s insistence on his innocence and undeserved sufferings. However, at the end of the story, god chastises all of job s friends except elihu. In chapter 34, elihu starts by affirming his own message again and then quoting more of job s statements which he finds improper. Winner of the standing ovation award for best powerpoint templates from presentations magazine. Irwin that the book of job divides obviously and naturally into several large sections is freely admitted by all students of the book of whatever stripe of critical bias. Elihu is saying god is answering job though elihu s own speech. He believes that job s assertion that he is no liar has in effect made god a liar.
The bulk of elihus speech then focuses on the justice of god, which elihu feels job has maligned. The poetical masterpiece that confronts the inexplicable mystery of good and evil can be. Sep 29, 2016 as in job chapter 38, verse 1 then the lord answered job out of the whirlwind, and said. The book of job young elihu speaks 3237 executable outlines. He concludes his speech with an effort to speak on god s behalf and by ascribing righteousness to the almighty. Hindi elihu is known as the son of barakel the buzite, of the family of ram job 32. Theyll give your presentations a professional, memorable appearance the kind of sophisticated look that todays audiences expect. Most books of the bible take place on larger stages, but the book of job goes down at a very specific and narrow point in the human life cycle.
First, they summarize the argument of job s three friends. Elihu by arthur davis on 28 march 2010 10 comments weve just written essays on the book of job, and ive been looking at whether or not the text answers questions of suffering. In elihu s second speech he defends the character of god against the charges of job that god is unjust and that piety is without reward. It should be kept in mind that job is not the author. Chapter 32 of the book of job is directed at jobs three friends.
Dec 03, 2010 the role and character of elihu in the book of job the book of job is widely regarded as one of the great written masterpieces of history, equally impressive for the depth of the issues it wrestles with and the great literary quality it displays. Elihu asked him if he considered his answer to be just. First, the name elihu is a variant spelling of the name elijah, and elihu s actions in the book of job suggest a strong connection to the great prophet. Dec 03, 2010 the third and best understanding of elihu s role in the book of job is that he helps to prepare job for god s appearance in the whirlwind. Thats exactly what job called his three friends later in the dialogue, at job 16. And today he finally closes his speech, actually several orations combined, say the scholars.
Because job was suffering, they were of the opinion that job had some hidden evil. Messianic implications in elihus mediatorial speech. With large parts of job being the arguments of his friends which are afterwards being repudiated by god himself, and job repen. The book of job is widely regarded as one of the great written masterpieces of history, equally impressive for the depth of the issues it wrestles with and the great literary quality it displays. A final indication that elihu is speaking for god is his theology, which is extraordinary, especially as it unfolds in chapters 34 and 35. Elihu is similar to the name elijah, yahweh is my god. Worlds best powerpoint templates crystalgraphics offers more powerpoint templates than anyone else in the world, with over 4 million to choose from. And in it, he attempts to solve the mystery that has been set by the apparent contradiction between jobs life and his sufferings.
Job 32 with king james bible lyrics and commentary, background info, trivia and music downloads. Curtis, why were the elihu speeches added to the book of job. Some critics have considered that the elihu portion of the book of job was added by a later hand, and urge obscurities and prolixities, as well as a different style, to prove that it was the work of an inferior writer. The book of job lets us crawl into the head of someone who undergoes immense suffering, but comes out the other side with his faith intact.
Campbell morgan published a brief 6page study entitled the answers of jesus to job revell in which he connected a number of christological concepts and teachings to references in job. Oct 29, 2012 time and time again throughout the story of job, job s three friends, eliphaz, bildad, and zophar, make speeches to job. He does not say anything that is not said more succinctly by the three original friends or by god, and his speech contains more aramaisms than the rest of the book. Elihu, in the hebrew bible, a comforter of job, the biblical prototype of undeserved suffering. Elihu is identified only as the son of barakel the buzite, of the family of ram job 32. Interpretations of elihu in job biblical hermeneutics stack. Also waterss discussion of elihus four speeches shows that critics are wrong in suggesting elihus view of suffering was no different from that of jobs three companions. Aug 30, 2012 evidence that elihu prepared job for god when we concluded our readings on the book of job in the bible meditator, we wondered about the messages of elihu, the young man who listened to the debate between job and his friends. Now that everyone has quit talking, elihu is ready to step up and show both jobs friends and job that they are wrong.
Reading the speech cycles in the book of job by paul l. The book of job is one of the most problematic portions of the bible and has called forth a variety of interpretations. All throughout the book of job, job has been desiring a moderator. And it is interesting to note that god did not rebuke him as he did to eliphaz the temanite, and his two other friends job 42. Today we meet bildad, the second of jobs miserable comforters. Redditt georgetown college the field of old testament study today is marked by disagreement over method, in particular readeror audiencebased methods and historicalcritical methods including source. Elihus speeches seem more a criticism of the whole book of job to this point than of job himself. Waters the book of job is essentially about god s relationship with. Aug 29, 2016 today we meet bildad, the second of jobs miserable comforters. And he wants his readers to know that god has not concealed all of his ways.
Not only do they incur the indignation of job and his other friend elihu, b. Messianic implications in elihus mediatorial speech job. I have been reduced to skin and bones and have escaped death by the skin of my teeth. In chapter thirtyfive we have elihus third correction and refutation of job. In short, elihu condemns job s friends and job s claim of being without sin, declares gods justice, condemns job s attitude toward god, and exalts gods greatness.
Elihus point was that gods justices was vindicated against what job has been insinuating. The contributors are scholars of international standing. Elihu rightly points job to gods might, saying, listen to this, job. He concludes his speech with an effort to speak on gods behalf and. Elihu has been standing in the shadows, giving deference to his older friends. When we concluded our readings on the book of job in the bible meditator, we wondered about the messages of elihu, the young man who listened to the debate between job and his friends. Book of job author of job job praised from notables god reveals himself story of job. He isnt mentioned as one of jobs friends, but apparently he was there listening in on their conversation, because he knows all about it when he chimes in.
Elihus contribution to the thought of the book of job. Leviathan is isaiahs name for a crosscultural symbol of the moral evil that strikes at the heart of creation. Evidence that elihu prepared job for god the bible meditator. In the book of job, it becomes clear that the first three of jobs friends eliphaz, blidad, and zophar speak wrongly. In the book of job, job has three friends approach him and condemn him for evil. The book of job young elihu speaks 3237 objectives in studying this section 1 to examine elihus perspective in the debate regarding jobs suffering 2 to notice how elihu appears to prepare job for what the lord will have to say summary we are now introduced to a new voice in this discussion. Nov 11, 2014 a critique of elihus speech against job posted on november 11, 2014 by christopher fisher in the book of job, job has three friends approach him and condemn him for evil. Elihu presented the proper theological perspective of retribution theology. Elihu denies job s charge that god does not answer 33. Elihu corrected job further by checking with him concerning his answer vv. Job 32 new international readers version nirv the speech of elihu.
In chapter 32, we have several reasons to believe that elihu is a man that should be taken seriously. A major difficulty in understanding the meaning of the book is, what insight leads job to submit so humbly to god at the end. The role and character of elihu in the book of job the. It is as if god tired of elihus half right, halfwrong assessments of the. I admit that there are some things in elihus speeches very hard to understand. He believes that jobs assertion that he is no liar has in effect made god a liar. Jobs sufferings are not for correction but for demonstration. First cycle of speeches 414 objectives in studying this section 1 to examine the counsel of jobs friends, what their observations were, and upon what they based their conclusions regarding jobs suffering 2 to consider jobs response to his friends, how he took their advice, and how he continued to.
First, the name elihu is a variant spelling of the name elijah, and elihus actions in the book of job suggest a strong connection to the great prophet. God and are totally dependent on his grace for deliverance. The bulk of this argument comes from putting god on trial. Thats because job said he himself was right instead of god. Interpretations of elihu in job biblical hermeneutics. There is more to see of god s purpose in suffering than we may think. Job 32 new international readers version nirv bible gateway. However, at the end of the story, god chastises all of jobs friends except elihu.
Ppt the book of job powerpoint presentation free to. But the writer of the book of job is not satisfied to live that way. Job spends his entire book in a position of sadness and loss. Elihu ends this chapter by reaffirming his own message v33. But he also challenged job for insisting that gods justice was flawed and that his suffering was undeserved p. Waters has made an outstanding contribution to the study of the book of job and the subject of undeserved suffering. The poetical masterpiece that confronts the inexplicable mystery of good and evil can be a companion on your own spiritual journey. Unfortunately, two erroneous interpretations of jobs theses are by far the most popular. Oct 23, 2014 elihu, the forgotten prophet of job the book of job is one of the most important of the entire bible, and is a prerequisite to all discussions of christian theology, particularly theodicy. Elihu challenged job s three antagonists by opposing this view of suffering.
The old testament library provides fresh and authoritative treatments of important aspects of old testament study through commentaries and general surveys. Eastern great lakes and midwest biblical societies 8 1988. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him. He is one of jobs friends who appear after jobs three friends eliphaz, bildad, and zophar came to comfort him. The purpose of elihus speech is to justify and defend god. The authenticity of the elihu speeches in job 3237 29 allotted to elihu in comparison to the four chapters assigned to eliphaz, the three to bildad, and the two to zophar, b the placement of the elihu speeches in the book, and c the reaction the speeches have. Redditt georgetown college the field of old testament study today is marked by disagreement over method, in particular readeror audiencebased methods and historicalcritical methods including source, form, and redaction criticism.
Elihus speeches prepare the way for the lord speech to come. Jobs insistence on his innocence and undeserved sufferings. The elihu speeches in the criticism of the book of job. Elihus defense of god sabbath school net posted on november 28, 2016 by sabbath school lesson december 1, 2016 a lot of commentary has been written over the ages about elihu and his speech, some seeing it a major turning point in the direction of the dialogue. Does the book of job provide an explanation to suffering. In this volume, norman habel takes on the humbling task of writing a commentary on such a classic work as the book of job a text that is complex and unclear at many points. Having remained silent up to this point because of his youth, elihu now speaks. Commentary on elihu and job chapter 32 and 33 by craig truglia. The point elihu was making is that gods retributive justice. The book of job, book of hebrew scripture that is often counted among the masterpieces of world literature. Interpretations of elihu in job biblical hermeneutics stack exchange. After a few rounds of back and forth, the friends quite down. Elihu charges job with adding to his sin by multiplying words. Not only do they incur the indignation of job and his other friend elihu, but god himself rebukes them, saying to eliphaz, i am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant job has.
Because elihus speech, which appears in the book of job. The books theme is the eternal problem of unmerited suffering, and it is named after its central. The first portion of this speech appears in job 36. In elihus second speech he defends the character of god against the charges of job that god is unjust and that piety is without reward. Elihu s fourpart speech is followed by god breaking his silence to directly answer job. So a young man appears on the scene in chapter 32 named elihu. Many scholars perceive the speeches as later interpolations. The role and character of elihu in the book of job the doc file.
Time and time again throughout the story of job, jobs three friends, eliphaz, bildad, and zophar, make speeches to job. Why wasnt elihu included in gods scolding to jobs friends. The third and best understanding of elihus role in the book of job is that he helps to prepare job for gods appearance in the whirlwind. In this speech elihu challenges job s claim that he is innocent and has been unjustly treated and his complaint that god does not answer when addressed. The very thing for which job has earnestly longed for months and months now. Elihu was one of jobs friendsnot one of the three who had come to comfort job at the beginning of the book, but one who arrives later and offers the last and longest single speech to job.
In the book of job chapter 19, verse 20 we can find a wonderful ancient hebrew idiom preserved for us from the oldest book in the bible. Job s sufferings are not for correction but for demonstration. Messianic implications in elihus mediator speech job. Questions about elihu in the book of job scripture. In the book of job, it becomes clear that the first three of job s friends eliphaz, blidad, and zophar speak wrongly. At a recent pastors conference on the book of job, a leader asked the attendees whether the speeches of elihu job 3237 should be trusted. The place of elihu in the book of job has been greatly discussed by biblical scholars. Elihu concluded that the friends had condemned job without finding an answer for him and elihu was angered against job for justifying himself rather than god job 32. And then he takes it upon himself to spend about five chaptersan eighth of the entire bookspouting off his thoughts. Notice god did not answer elihu, speaking rather his faithful servant job. Elihu charges job with adding to his sin by multiplying words against god without knowledge 34. It is found in the third section of the biblical canon known as the ketuvim writings.
This estimate seems, however, to take into account only the part it plays in a didactic treatise, or a theological debate. Pdf elihus contribution to the thought of the book of job robert. Messianic implications in elihus mediator speech job 33. Pdf elihus contribution to the thought of the book of job. He is never mentioned either before or after chapters 3237. The authenticity of the elihu speeches in job 3237 29 allotted to elihu in comparison to the four chapters assigned to eliphaz, the three to bildad, and the two to zophar, b the placement of the elihu speeches in the book, and c the reaction the speeches have drawn from critical circles on the question of authenticity. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a fourth friend steps in and is given six consecutive chapters to present yet another speech to job. Professor of old testament the masters seminary ets annual meeting november 19, 2003 introduction the following paper is still a work in progress. Its subject matter is the allimportant question, why, in a world over which yahweh has jurisdiction, should innocent persons have to suffer when at the same time the wicked escape suffering and are permitted to have comfort and security. How was what elihu said any different from what jobs other three friends. Correcting job further by checking with him concerning his answer.
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