Elihu...picture of Christ?

[webdog]

This was mentioned back in the summer, and was never really addressed...

Elihu had just finished addressing Job’s friends in Chapter 32 when he begins to talk directly to Job in Chapter 33. I personally feel Elihu is a picture of Christ. You will find that God does not mention Elihu when he rebukes the others near the end of the book, which would seem to mean there was nothing wrong with what Elihu had said.

Agree or disagree? I see many errors in Elihu's lengthy address to Job, which has me confused how he could not have said anything wrong just because God didn't rebuke him. The errors, false accusations and arrogance on behalf of Elihu is pretty evident. I will chime in with these errors later...

 

[EdSutton]

Chime away.

​

I believe Elihu to be the author of the book of Job.

Ed

 

[canadyjd]

I have wondered where Elihu came from?

Job begins his dialog with three friends. After all three have spoken, Elihu appears and sort of chastises Job for questioning God.

Immediately after Elihu, God speaks to Job, and admonishes the first 3 friends, but not Elihu.

It is interesting.

peace to youraying:

 

[Pastor Larry]

Consequently, the Joban author uses Elihu to serve as a transition from the dialogue to the Yahweh speeches. As a transition, the Elihu speeches serve a twofold purpose of summarizing the content of the dialogue, with many of Elihu’s ideas serving as a recapitulation of earlier views, and of preparing for the God speeches. With Elihu’s summary role, the Joban author basically uses him to review the key issues of the debate, Job’s innocence and God’s justice. With Elihu’s preparatory role, the Joban author significantly uses him to provide a theocentric perspective of God’s control of the natural realms and to serve as a theological foil for God.

Elihu's Contribution to the Book of Job

 

[Jim1999]

I have wondered where Elihu came from..
---------------------------

A Buzite, Elihu's name means God is Jehovah, and he is from the lineage of Abraham. Nahor, his father was Abraham's brother.

I think it was Lightfoot who suggested that Elihu was the author of Job. Some also believe this is why Elihu is last to speak rather than his age, and suggest he is perhaps creeping up to Job's age group.

One other thought, consider what Elihu has to say as a messenger between God and man (Job) he foreshadows Christ in te New Testament.

Just a few more thoughts.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[EdSutton]

I have wondered where Elihu came from..
---------------------------

A Buzite, Elihu's name means God is Jehovah, and he is from the lineage of Abraham. Nahor, his father was Abraham's brother.

I think it was Lightfoot who suggested that Elihu was the author of Job. Some also believe this is why Elihu is last to speak rather than his age, and suggest he is perhaps creeping up to Job's age group.

One other thought, consider what Elihu has to say as a messenger between God and man (Job) he foreshadows Christ in te New Testament.

Just a few more thoughts.

Cheers,

Jim

I'm sure I could have checked on the name Elihu to find out his family relationship, although I never did.

Nor was I aware of what Bishop Lightfoot, or any other, may have said, as to authorship, apart from hearing Dr. Peter J. Ruckman say that certain verses showed the author, several years ago. Not putting a lot of stock in what Dr. Ruckman says, as a rule (and never being willing to quote him, or cite him, uncritically, without carefully checking out what he says, personally), led me to actually read the passage, in question, carefully for myself, a short time later, when I had some reason to be reading in Job. That came to mind, and I did read the discourse by Elihu.

The reason I believe Elihu wrote the book, has to do with the change(s) to the first 'person' with the pronouns, and recording the speech in the present tense, as Elihu's speech is recorded - no other reasons. But this seems to answer that question, at least in my mind.

Ed

 

[webdog]

Here are some of the errors through Elihu's speech. I'm not understanding how he can be a picture of Christ speaking such errors, and going against what God said in the beginning of Job. Elihu basically accused Job's "sins" of his calamity, when God states plainly that is not the reason. How is he a picture of Christ?

Verses 2-4 in chapter 32 Elihu stated God punished Job because of his sins
Verse 18, his words were out of anger. Rarely are words spoken from wisom out of anger.
Verse 5 in chapter 33 Elihu exhibits pride and arrogance...then turns around and accuses Job of the very same in chapter 34.
Verses 7 - 9 in chapter 34 Elihu lapsed into the same arguments as Job's three "friends" withunfounded accusation. Since these three were rebuked by God, it would naturally follow Elihu's false accusations fall under the same.
Verses 10 - 15 Elihu stated God immediately punishes sin. Job challenged the same notion in his second response to Zophar (ch. 2)
Verse 30 Elihu stated God prevents the godless from ruling which we ALL know is not true. Just look at our president elect, the ruler of Iran, North Korea, China, etc.
Verses 31 - 32 Elihu (as Job's three friends) believed Job should either admit he sinned or ask God how he had sinned.
Verses 33 - 37 Elihu, like Eliphaz, falsely charged Job with rejecting God, lacking wisdom, deserving the "maximum penalty" for his wickedness, and also added rebellion to his "sins".
Verses 1 - 8 in chapter 35 Elihu challenged Job's claim that he was righteous and then pointed out that commiting sin only affects "people like yourself".
Verses 12 - 14 Elihu added another "sin" of Job by claiming God doesn't answer people because of their "pride".
Verses 2 - 4 in chapter 36 Elihu's arrogance is again revealed. No wonder Job didn't answer him.
Verses 18 - 19 Elihu warns Job not to let his wealth become a problem, but apparently he forgot Job lost his wealth.
Verse 22 Elihu again falsely accuses Job of commiting evil, and God's just punishment for this "evil".

 

[Jim1999]

Webdog:

The items you list are why most comentators do not call Elihu a type or picture of Christ.

The commentators who might show Elihu as foreshadowing Christ is taken from Chapter 33: 23-26, showing the intercessory role of Elihu between Job and God, as did our Lord Jesus between man and God. Jesus being our great Intercessor.

All the other character traits of Elihu you present are correct and indeed listed.

Cheers,

Jim