Well, good morning.
It's good to see all of you this morning.
I feel like I need to introduce myself.
I'm Pastor Andrew, for those of you who don't know me.
It's been a while, and it's really great to be able to have so many gifted men who can carry
the word and deliver it from week to week.
And we are a privileged church to have so many gifted men who can give us.
The final song that we sang, and actually all the songs that we sang this morning really
helped to speak of the theme of this section of Scripture we're going to be covering this morning.
That last song in the final phrase of that song says,
Draw me close and teach me to abide.
That's the essence of the message this morning.
That's what we learn this morning from our passages that start in Job chapter 32 and work their way all the way to Job chapter 37.
Draw me close.
Teach me to abide.
Of course, that song is drawn out of the Scripture.
John 15 verse 4 says this,
Abide in me.
This is Jesus speaking.
And I in you, as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine.
Neither can you unless you abide in me.
I am the vine.
You are the branches.
Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.
For apart from me, you can do nothing.
If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.
By this, my Father is glorified that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
If you want to have a life that enjoys the product of fruitfulness, it must be attached to the vine.
It's got to draw from the source of truth that comes from God in his word.
And it's so important for us, especially in this day and age, because we live in a society, we live in a culture of influencers, right?
And those of you who are younger would probably, it's kind of the hip term, influencers, right?
And we might talk, the older generation, we might talk about counselors, advisors.
We might talk about those who are providing a level of direction and guidance in life.
But we have got to understand that we're living in a culture right now, and it's always been this way,
but especially in the here and now, where we are bombarded by counselors.
We're bombarded by influencers.
Wherever you go, on the billboards, on the computer screens, on your cell phones,
when you go home, you're listening to the radio, wherever you are, you're bombarded by influencers.
And we are those who influence as well.
Well, you give advice.
You might not call it counsel, but you're going to provide your opinion, whether it's asked for or not.
And we want our voice to be known.
We want our voice to be heard.
We want people to listen up.
We have something to share.
And that's, again, the day and age in which we live.
We have something to give.
We have an opinion to provide.
And we just want people to listen.
We want our voice to be heard.
And so the counsel that we give is never in a vacuum.
It's always conditioned by something.
It's either conditioned by the experiences that we have,
or conditioned by the things that we hear,
or the things that we read,
or the things that we see,
or the latest talk show hosts,
or the latest, the trending life hacks that you might be associated with.
We are influencers because we have been influenced.
Our lives are constantly bombarded by perspectives,
opinions, values, and social norms.
And whether it be Oprah Winfrey,
or Dr. Phil,
or for the older generation, Phil Donahue,
or Barbara Walters,
or Whoopi Goldberg,
whoever it is,
whoever's the talking head,
whoever's sharing their opinion,
whoever you're listening to,
is going to be influencing you in a way to think.
Maybe social media.
Maybe it's Charlie Kirk,
or Ben Shapiro,
or Jordan Peterson.
Whoever it is that you're tuned into
is going to be somebody
who is influencing your perspective,
your values,
your thinking,
guiding your experiences,
and also influencing your perspectives
and your advice to others.
The world is intent on influencing the way you think.
The world wants your mind.
Because if it can get to your mind,
it can get to your heart.
The world wants to have you.
And so,
there could be not a more important topic
than what we're covering this morning.
Because you will be influenced
and are being influenced in some way,
and you are an influencer,
whether you think so or not.
And so,
this is a really important thing
for us to consider
as we look into the Word of God today.
And it begs the question,
how do we tune our ears
to listen to right wisdom?
And how do we tune our lips
to speak the wisdom of God?
How can we be influenced in the right way?
How can we influence others
in the right way?
That's what it boils down to.
That's really what this passage
in Job chapter 32,
moving all the way to Job 37,
is all about.
It's about influence.
How will you influence?
Will you influence in a way
that points to God,
or will you influence in a way
that points to this world,
points to you,
points to your perspectives,
your advice,
your expertise,
whatever it might be.
How does your influence
point to Jesus?
How does your heart
help to draw out
and encourage faith in Him?
Of course,
the psalmist has a lot to say,
and I love the psalms
because it's so much about counsel,
good counsel, right?
And it opens up this way.
It says,
Blessed is the man
who walks not
in the counsel
of the ungodly,
or stands in the path of sinners,
or sits in the seat
of the scornful.
But,
here it is,
his delight
is in the law of the Lord.
In His law,
he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree
planted by rivers of water
that brings forth
its fruit
and its season.
Its leaf
will not wither.
So there's two roads
to choose from.
There's a road
of listening
to the counsel
of this world
to be influenced
by the ungodly,
the sinners,
the scornful,
or
to be influenced
by the great influencer,
by God Himself,
who loves
to steer you
in the right direction,
who has made
His word available,
His truth available
to you.
And as John
referred to
a little earlier,
we are living
in a day and age
where we couldn't ask
for anything more
as it speaks
to revelation,
the revelation of God
in speaking
to all of the things
of this life,
providing direction
for us
in every area of life.
What a blessing
it is.
And how do we access,
how do we access
that knowledge?
How do we allow
God's word
to influence
our hearts
so that we can be
the right kinds
of influencers
to those around us?
Proverbs 3, 5, and 6.
It's a familiar
passage as well.
Trust in the Lord
with all your heart.
Lean not
to your own understanding
in all your ways.
Acknowledge Him
and He shall
direct your paths.
I love the way
the NIV puts it.
He will make
your paths straight.
If you want to have
straight paths,
God delights
in making them straight.
God wants to counsel you.
And God has provided
His counsel,
the best counsel
in His word
for us to access
and through the power
of the Spirit
we can understand it
and apply it.
He not only helps us
understand the truth,
but by God's grace
He gives us the power
to put it to work.
It's amazing.
We are,
of the most people,
most to be
thankful
for what God
has done for us.
So,
the title of this message
and it probably
kind of tips
my hand
as it were
in telling you
kind of where
I land on Elihu,
but what we're
going to see
is Elihu
is a lot like
his friends.
He's going to speak
for God
when God is silent.
And whenever we do that,
whenever we speak
for God
and God is silent,
beware.
It's not only
dangerous,
it's disastrous.
it will lead
to disaster
in your life
and in the lives
of those
you're seeking
to lead.
So,
we're going to pick up
this study
in Job
from chapter 32
and as you can imagine,
we do not have
enough time
probably even
to read it all,
let alone
to talk about it all.
So,
I want to just
hit the high spots.
I want to introduce
to you
who this guy
Elihu is.
I want us
to evaluate
his life
and his counsel
because there's
something for us
to learn here.
That's what
the apostle Paul
says in 2 Timothy 3.16
that all scripture
is given by inspiration
of God.
It is profitable
for doctrine,
reproof,
correction,
instruction,
and righteousness
so the man
and woman of God
might be perfect,
thoroughly equipped
for every good work.
So,
there's something
for us to learn here
but we can't learn it
unless we understand
what's going on
and however we take
Elihu
will kind of
help to steer
the way we see
what's going on
and the things
we take away
from his advice,
his counsel.
So,
we're going to see
the introduction
to Elihu.
That's kind of
our first point
this morning
and we're going to see
that Elihu
was an influencer
and right out of the gate
you're going to notice
that he is an angry
influencer.
Okay?
And you're going to see
this as we read
through Elihu
the angry influencer.
Picking it up
at verse 1.
Notice.
So,
these three men
ceased to answer Job
speaking of Eliphaz,
Bildad,
and Zophar.
And because he was
righteous in his own eyes
speaking of Job
this is when Elihu
begins to speak.
So,
then Elihu
the son of Barakal
the Buzite
of the family of Ram
burned with anger.
he burned with anger
at Job
because he justified
himself rather than God.
He burned with anger
also at Job's three friends
because they had
found no answer
although they had
declared Job
to be in the wrong.
Now Job
had waited to speak
excuse me
now Elihu
had waited to speak
to Job
because they were
older than he.
And when Elihu
saw there was
no answer
in the mouth
of these three men
he burned
with anger.
Do you see it?
Anger.
And not just
frustration
but he burned
with anger.
He was seething
with anger.
He just could not
contain himself.
We're going to see
that more as we go.
We don't know
how long
he's been present.
We don't know
how he's related
to Job
or his friends.
We don't know
how much he's heard
about this.
We don't even know
how he got invited
to the party
as it were.
Was he just walking by
he saw Job
and his friends
sitting on the
ash heap
and decided
to join
we don't know
we're not given
that information
but here he is.
Up to this point
he's been quiet.
Up to this point
he's been willing
to listen.
Up to this point
he's shut his mouth.
And now that Job
and his three friends
are silent
Elihu decides
it's now his turn.
Elihu by the way
means
he is my God.
That's telling
of his orientation.
It's telling
of something
about him
and I think
we're going to see
as we work
our way through
that Elihu
really does care
about God.
I believe
that's the case.
In his dad
his father's name
Barakel
means God blesses.
And so
these Hebrew names
point to God
and that's
significant for us.
But
it is important
for us to see
this anger
that's on the surface.
Five times
excuse me
four times
in just
these five
verses
the author
wants to emphasize
he burned
with anger.
And we're left
with this question
and we're not
going to answer
it quite yet.
Is his anger
righteous
or is his anger
carnal?
Is it fleshly?
We'll explore this
as we move along.
But
there's two
aspects
to his anger.
First he's
angry at Job
because Job
has justified
himself
rather than God.
That's in verse 2.
And then in verse 3
he's angry
because Job's
friends can't seem
to put Job
down.
They can't seem
to argue their case.
They can't seem
to convince Job
that he's in the wrong.
Now
on the surface
Elihu
is driven
by the right motive.
I think we can
all agree
that Elihu's
motive
of trying
to justify
God
trying to glorify
God
trying to defend
God's honor
is a correct
and lofty thing.
But we should
be challenged
by the
truth that we learn
from James
the half brother
of Christ
in James 1
19 and 20
when it says
know this my
beloved brothers
let every person
be quick to hear
slow to speak
slow to anger
for
the anger
of man
does not produce
the righteousness
of God.
Just keep that
locked away
keep that in the
back of your minds
understand that
there can be
righteous anger
but there's also
mostly
the kind of anger
that comes
out of us
it's driven
by selfish
motives
it's driven
by fleshly
things
and that anger
does not produce
the righteousness
of God.
So beware
just because he
burned with anger
does not mean
that he is
speaking
for God.
Next
Elihu
was a
wordy
influencer
not just an
angry
influencer
but a
wordy
influencer
and we see
that in a
sampling of
passages
beginning in
chapter 32
verse 6
where it says
this
and Elihu
the son of
Barakal
the Buzite
answered and
said
I am young
in years
and you are
aged
therefore
I was timid
and afraid
to declare
my opinion
to you
I said
let days
speak
and many
years
teach wisdom
and so
while he
waits
and he's
willing to
listen
now he's
hit the
tipping point
now the
others are
quiet
and now
Elihu
is going
to step
in
we see
that in
verse 11
behold I
waited for
your words
I listened
for your
wise sayings
while you
searched
out what
to say
I gave
you my
attention
and behold
there was
none
among you
who refuted
Job
or answered
his words
now jump
down to
verse 18
for I
am full
of words
the spirit
within me
constrains me
behold
my belly
is like
wine
that has
no vent
like new
wineskins
ready to
burst
I must
speak
that I
may find
relief
I must
open my
lips
and answer
you get
the sense
of this
eruption
that's about
to take
place
this explosion
of words
because
Elihu
just
cannot
contain
himself
anymore
and the
anger
that's
burning
within
him
has now
bubbled
to the
surface
and now
it's
explosion
you might
call it
word
vomit
that's
what we
see here
and we
know that
he's
angry
he's
angry
and God
will
burn
with anger
too
we see
that in
Job
chapter 42
verse 7
but the
anger
that God
will burn
with
we see
this
the Lord
speaks
these words
to Job
the Lord
said to
Eliphaz
the Temanite
my anger
burns
against you
and against
your two
friends
for you
have not
spoken
of me
what is
right
as my
servant
Job
has
so while
there is
this anger
bubbling
and boiling
down inside
of Elihu
it's not
an anger
that we're
going to see
mimics
the same
anger
of the
Lord
at least
in terms
of the
person
or the
direction
he has
one
of the
two
but he
has
Job
also
in his
crosshairs
and God
is not
angry
with Job
so
is his
anger
appropriate
are his
words
appropriate
and from
this point
on
we're
going to
see
we're
going to
only hear
from
two
speakers
there's
no more
dialogue
anymore
it's
only
going to
be a
monologue
that
Elihu
will
speak
for six
consecutive
chapters
he will
not
take
a breath
he'll
speak
2700
words
more than
any of
the other
friends
of Job
and I'm
sure
I'm sorry
I don't
know
my
popping
up here
there we
go
maybe give
it a little
bit more
service loop
that Elihu
will just
start to
spill
these words
and he
won't even
take a
breath
and it's
fascinating
to me
that as
the younger
individual
he will
speak
four
consecutive
speeches
as opposed
to the
three
speeches
of the
others
and he'll
even
speak
more
than
God
will
speak
for
four
chapters
about
1900
words
and
Elihu
will
just
go on
this
rampage
for
2700
words
without
interruption
without
inviting
response
he just
keeps
on
speaking
and I
think the
lesson
that we
see
one of
the
minor
lessons
that we
see
is
more
words
does
not
mean
Elihu
is
more
right
more
words
does
not
mean
you're
more
right
matter
of fact
Proverbs
10
19
will
say
this
when
words
are
many
sin
is
not
absent
but
he
who
holds
his
tongue
is
wise
there
is
wisdom
in
restraining
the
number
of
words
and
speaking
in
a way
that
is
concise
and
deliberate
and
Elihu
just
gives
vent
to
his
words
because
of
the
anger
inside
and
we
are
still
at
the
point
of
deciding
whether
or not
Elihu
is
speaking
for
God
and
that
is
one
of
the
fundamental
questions
of our
time
this
morning
does
he
represent
God
faithfully
or
is
he
just
like
Job's
other
misguided
friends
is
he
speaking
for
God
does
he
speak
in
a way
that
not
only
acknowledges
God
but
does
he
speak
in
a way
that
represents
God
faithfully
or
we'd
assume
that
since
God
doesn't
rebuke
Elihu
at the
end
that
Elihu
must
then
be
right
in
God's
eyes
what's
going
on
there
but
let's
just
dive
in
and
try
to
tackle
these
first
couple
of
points
quickly
so
we
can
get
to
the
lesson
in
all
of
this
for
us
does
Elihu
represent
God
faithfully
does
Elihu
represent
God
faithfully
that's
an
important
question
because
fundamentally
the
lessons
that
we're
going
to
learn
from
these
chapters
are
going
to
rise
and
fall
they're
going
to
rest
on
what
we
determine
how
we see
Elihu
and
how
God
sees
Elihu
if
he's
speaking
for
God
then
it's
an
example
we
need
to
follow
if
he's
not
speaking
for
God
then
it's
an
example
for
us
to
resist
right
so
as
you
can
imagine
though
commentators
are really
mixed
on
this
and
that
has
been
some
of
the
biggest
challenge
of
these
chapters
is
who
is
Elihu
is
he
speaking
for
God
and
where
are
we
supposed
he
says
almost
every
commentary
is
skeptical
about
Elihu
critical
of
his
views
his
tone
his
character
such
a
widespread
agreement
among
critics
ought
not
to
be
lightly
jettisoned
and
yet
in
Christopher
Ash's
opinion
and yet
I think
it is
wrong
let us
consider
some
of the
arguments
and he
goes
on
to
share
his
arguments
now
I
don't
know
which
commentators
he's
looking
at
or
reading
from
all
the
commentaries
that I
have
all
the
contemporary
commentators
see
Elihu
in a
positive
light
that
he
is
one
who's
approaching
the
argument
differently
than
Job's
other
friends
that
he
is
one
who's
adding
to
the
conversation
that
he's
one
who's
addressing
Job's
sin
in a
way
that's
appropriate
and
truthfully
I've
gone
back
and
forth
and
I
don't
think
this
is
cut
and
dry
and
I
don't
want
to
provide
a
perspective
that
I've
arrived
but
I
do
want
to
share
some
things
that
at
the
end
of
the
day
I
think
are
convincing
enough
so we
can
understand
where
Elihu
is
coming
from
so
while
this
is
not
a
simple
decision
it
is
an
important
one
and
at
the
end
of
the
day
the
question
that
we
need
to
ask
ourselves
is
does
Elihu
represent
God
faithfully
that's
the
underlying
question
to
commend
about
Elihu
we
see
first
of
all
that
he
cares
about
the
honor
of
God
he
cares
about
the
honor
of
God
and
that
by
the
way
is
fundamental
in
representing
God
to
know
who
God
is
and
to
want
to
defend
the
things
that
God
would
defend
and
so
we
saw
right
out
of
the
gate
in
chapter
32
verse
2
that
Job
justified
himself
rather
than
God
and
that's
what
got
Elihu
riled
up
and
that's
an
appropriate
reason
to
speak
that's
an
appropriate
reason
to
be
angry
second
he
claims
to
be
speaking
for
God
not
just
wanting
to
honor
God
but
he
actually
claims
to
be
speaking
for
God
and
we
see
this
in
chapter
32
verses
8
and
9
notice
he
says
it
is
the
spirit
in
man
the
breath
of
the
almighty
that
makes
him
understand
it
is
not
the
old
who
are
wise
nor
the
aged
who
understand
what
is
right
and
to
this
Christopher
Ash
will
say
this
he
says
Elihu
implicitly
claims
divine
inspiration
for
his
words
if
this
is
so
and
then
he
says
I
believe
it
is
then
we
are
faced
with
a
choice
either
Elihu
is
a
false
prophet
or
he
is
a
true
prophet
and
I
agree
we
are
left
with
one
of
two
options
you
are
either
speaking
for
God
or
you
are
not
speaking
for
God
it
can't
be
a
both
and
situation
in
chapter
36
verses
2
and
4
not
only
does
he
claim
inspiration
but
he
claims
perfection
notice
this
in
chapter
36
verse
2
it
says
bear
with
me
a
little
and
I
will
show
you
for
I
have
something
to
say
on
God's
behalf
I
will
get
my
knowledge
from
afar
and
ascribe
righteousness
to
my
maker
for
truly
my
words
are
not
false
one
who
is
perfect
in
knowledge
is
with
you
oh
really
that's
interesting
basically
what
Elihu
is
saying
is
well
God
can't
be
here
but
it's
a
good
thing
I
am
because
I'm
gonna
advocate
for
God
and
I'm
perfect
in
knowledge
and
it's
by
the
way
perfect
in
knowledge
is
the
exact
phrase
that
he
uses
of
God
in
chapter
37
verse
16
do
you
know
the
balancings
of
the
clouds
the
wondrous
works
of
him
who
is
perfect
in
knowledge
yeah
God
is
perfect
in
knowledge
but
buddy
I
am
too
so
here
we
go
I'm
gonna
share
with
you
what
God
has
in
mind
and
by
the
way
if
he
was
or
if
he
is
speaking
for
God
then
he
needs
to
have
that
kind
of
perfection
but
nowhere
in
the
book
do
we
find
Elihu
saying
thus
says
the
Lord
and
as
we're
gonna
keep
making
our
way
through
there
actually
he
says
I'm
gonna
share
with
you
my
own
opinion
so
this
provides
a
standard
for
us
does
he
truly
speak
for
God
or
does
he
not
speak
!
God
and
that's
important
he
wants
to
honor
God
he
claims
to
speak
for
God
he
seeks
to
uphold
the
honor
of
God
the
character
of
God
and
that's
seen
throughout
his
discourse
going
all the
way
back
to
chapter
33
verse
12
he
says
God
is
greater
than
man
in
chapter
33
verse
26
he
says
God
hears
and
answers
prayer
in
chapter
34
verse
10
he
says
far
be
it
from
God
that
from
the
almighty
that
he
should
do
wrong
in
chapter
34
verse
12
he
says
of
a
truth
God
will
not
do
wickedly
and
the
almighty
will
not
pervert
justice
in
chapter
35
verse
5
he
says
behold
God
is
mighty
and
does
not
despise
any
he
is
mighty
in
strength
and
understanding
then
in
chapter
36
verse
26
he
says
behold
God
is
great
and
we
know
him
not
the
number
of
verse
27
he
draws
up
the
drops
of
water
verse
30
he
scatters
the
lightning
about
him
and
covers
the
roots
of
the
sea
verse
31
he
judges
peoples
he
gives
food
in
abundance
upholding
the
character
of
God
and
the
work
of
God
over
creation
in
chapter
37
is
totally
completely
devoted
to
celebrating
the
work
of
God
over
creation
and
especially
God's
benevolence
to
his
creatures
he
upholds
the
character
of
God
he's
interested
in
celebrating
and
exalting
and
worshiping
God
for
who
he
is
I love
how he
closes
chapter
37
verse
22
he says
God
is
clothed
with
awesome
majesty
verse
23
he
is
great
in
power
justice
and
abundant
!
righteousness
he
will
not
violate
here's
a man
who
loves
God
and
who
wants
to
celebrate
and exalt
the
wonders
of
who
God
is
that's
commendable
fourth
he
speaks
in a
way
that
resembles
God
and
we
don't
have
time
to
dig
into
all
of
the
complexities
of
this
but
let me
just
draw
your
attention
I
think
I
have
there
in
your
study
guide
some
examples
of
how
God
speaks
at
the
end
of
this
book
and
how
Elihu
will
speak
in
a
way
that
emulates
or
resembles
God
says
that
Job
speaks
without
knowledge
well
guess
what
Elihu
accuses
Job
of
the
same
thing
in
chapter
34
verses
35
and
37
then
in
chapter
40
verse
2
God
calls
Job
a
fault
finder
Elihu
does
the
same
thing
in
Job
33
verses
9
to
11
then
God
says
that
Job
has
put
him
in
the
wrong
we
see
that
in
chapter
42
verse
3
Elihu
will
do
the
same
thing
in
his
discourse
in
chapter
34
verses
5
and
6
and
then
we
see
that
Elihu
will
draw
attention
to
the
work
of
God
over
creation
and
he'll
invite
Job
to
consider
the
works
of
God
can
you
imagine
what
God
has
done
in
terms
of
lightning
and
clouds
and
creatures
and
God
will
do
the
same
thing
draw
attention
to
his
work
and
his
sovereignty
over
creation
and
fifth
and
finally
he
affirms
that
God
speaks
to
his
people
that
God
is
not
silent
that
God
does
speak
that
God
does
allow
his
word
to
be
known
he
says
that
in
Job
33
verses
14
to
16
God
speaks
in
one
way
and
in
two
though
man
does
not
perceive
it
in
a
dream
in
a
vision
of
the
night
when
deep
sleep
falls
on
men
while
they
slumber
on
their
beds
then
he
opens
the
ears
of
men
and
terrifies
them
with
warnings
and
then
dropping
down
to
verse
19
this
is
another
way
that
God
speaks
man
is
also
rebuked
with
pain
on
his
bed
and
with
continual
strife
in
his
bones
so
that
his
life
loathes
bread
and
his
appetite
the
choicest
food
God
does
speak
and
Elihu
affirms
that
God
makes
himself
known
to
his
creatures
but
then
there
are
some
reasons
to be
concerned
about
Elihu
much
to be
concerned
about
and
I
want
to
just
move
through
these
quickly
so
we
can
get
to
the
final
punch
the
final
lesson
of
this
first
Elihu
does
not
reflect
the
character
of
God
in
his
presentation
in
his
discourse
in
his
speech
he
does
not
represent
he
talks
about
the
character
of
God
but
his
life
does
not
put
the
character
of
God
on
display
that's
what
I
mean
okay
and
we
see
several
examples
first
his
anger
he
was
an
angry
guy
and
while
God
will
burn
with
anger
Elihu's
anger
is
misapplied
he
applies
his
anger
to
Job
and
to
Job's
friends
while
God
will
only
direct
his
anger
to
Job's
friends
and
he
seems
to
this
whole
speech
seems to
be
governed
by
anger
you can
see
he is
ticked
off
all the
way
through
he is
like
on a
rampage
and you
can see
it's a
testimony
of his
words
from start
to finish
there is
little or no
compassion
zero compassion
of Elihu
for Job's
situation
he is just
ticked
off
we also
see his
arrogance
his arrogance
one commentator
puts it this
way
Elihu's
conceit
would be
less
insufferable
to
an
oriental
than
to
us
but
to
boast
of
one's
integrity
comes
with
ill
grace
from
a
youth
who
has
experienced
none
of the
sufferings
of Job
and yet
pretends
to
gainsay
his
arguments
it's an
older
commentary
but
Elihu
claims to
have
this
perfect
knowledge
and we
see
that
Elihu
is going
to
do
what
none
of
Job's
friends
were
able
to
do
going
back
to
chapter
32
beginning
in
verse
11
I
want
you
to
notice
the
personal
pronouns
here
and I
think
this
gives
it
away
notice
in
verse
11
I
waited
and
then
I
listened
then
in
verse
12
I
gave
you
my
attention
there
was
none
among
you
who
refuted
Job
then
in
verse
14
I
will
not
answer
with
your
speeches
I
will
answer
with
my
share
I
will
declare
my
opinion
then
verse
20
I
must
speak
that
I
might
find
relief
I
must
open
my
lips
and
answer
one
commentator
puts
it
this
way
Elihu's
response
to
their
defeatism
is to
proffer
himself
as a
champion
of logic
and
justice
no need
to call
on
God
is
Elihu's
retort
I
am
quite
equal
to
the
task
of
overcoming
him
myself
his
anger
his
arrogance
his
disrespect
and
this
may
not
be
apparent
to
us
as
21st
century
readers
but
we
see
nine
times
throughout
his
discourse
that
he
refers
to
Job
by
name
and
you're
like
wow
big
deal
he
refers
to
him
by
name
well
none
of
Job's
other
friends
have
the
audacity
to
bring
Job
down
and
to
speak
with
him
on
a
level
plane
but
Elihu
doesn't
see
that
problem
Elihu
sees
himself
as
equal
to
the
task
Elihu
even
sees
himself
as
speaking
down
to
Job
even
though
he's
older
and
wiser
and
more
experienced
and
nine
times
he will
address
Job
as
a
counterpart
as
a
peer
now
again
I know
that
here in
the
21st
century
it's
not
a
big
deal
but
I
gotta
tell
you
that
growing
up
in
my
generation
you
never
referred
to an
older
person
by
their
first
name
never
it
was
always
mister
or
missus
and
by
the
way
when
I
go
back
to
the
home
church
that
I
grew
up
in
I
still
don't
know
the
first
names
of
whoever
they
are
it's
either
mister
or
missus
or
hey
good
to
see
you
and
we
have
made
respect
so
commonplace
it
almost
has
no
bearing
especially
in the
way we
address
one
another
and
so
it's
hard
maybe
for
us
to
recognize
the
disrespect
that's
happening
but
it's
significant
and
I'll
just
leave
it
at
that
parents
please
teach
your
kids
to
respect
adults
maybe
even
call
them
mister
or
missus
or
call
them
by
their
title
or
coach
or
teacher
professor
whoever
it
might
be
it's
a way
for
us
to
show
respect
he
lacks
humility
and
compassion
not
one
word
of
compassion
or
sympathy
he
does
not
reflect
the
character
of
God
in
his
life
second
he
does
not
convey
the
truth
of
God
he
does
not
convey
the
truth
of
God
and
while
he
loves
God
and
exalts
!
God's
character
he
does
not
speak
for
God
meaning
he
is
not
one
who
is
addressing
!
the
theology
that
God
is
consistent
with
God's
nature
he
is
spouting
the
same
theology
the
retributive
theology
that
Job's
friends
is
speaking
where
this
retribution
or
payment
or reward
you reap
what you
sow
you get
what you
deserve
you obey
and you're
blessed
you disobey
your curse
that kind
of methodology
that kind
of thinking
so it should be
no surprise
that this has been
the theme of the book
and by the way
going all the way
back to the beginning
of this book
we find that
that is what
stands
at the
center
piece
of this
disagreement
between
Satan
and God
where
Satan
will
accuse
God
of
buying
Job's
devotion
you're
making
his life
easy
and so
there's
no wonder
why Job
worships
you
and so
Elihu
by continuing
to adopt
this
methodology
this
retributive
theology
of you
reap
what you
sow
he continues
not to speak
for God
but to actually
speak for God's
adversary
the devil
Elihu
reiterates
the same
tired
theology
of retribution
God will
kill the
wicked
and preserve
the righteous
we find
an example
in chapter
34
verse 11
where he says
for according
to the work
of man
he will repay
him
and according
to his
ways
he will
make
excuse me
he will
make it
befall
him
and there
are other
examples
as well
but you
get
you get
the idea
third
he
mis
represents
the words
of Job
he mis
represents
the words
of Job
on five
different
occasions
we find
throughout
his discourse
that he
says
Job
you have
said
Job
you say
an example
of that
is in
Job
33
verse 9
you have
that
in your
outline
where he
says
you say
Job
and then
in Job
34
5
he says
Job
has
said
and then
in Job
34
9
he has
said
in Job
35
verse 2
do you
say
and then
in Job
35
verse 14
you say
so he
he seems
to be
quoting
from Job
and some
of the
phrases
that he
lays in
are words
that Job
has
actually
spoken
but he
cherry
picks
those
words
and
cherry
picks
those
phrases
so he
can
raise up
a straw man
and then
bring it
crashing down
that's what we find
consistently
throughout his
discourse
and so if you're
just reading
his discourse
and you see
what Elihu's
words are
and how he
represents
Job
you're like
wow
I'm glad
that Elihu
spoke
now
finally
we're getting
somebody
who knows
what they're
talking about
the problem
is Job
didn't actually
say the words
that Elihu
credits to him
he's twisted
them
he's
cherry picked
them
he's drawn
them
out of
context
he doesn't
use the
whole phrase
and the
whole context
to lay it
in so that
he can
provide
the kind
of argument
that has
integrity
he's a
poor
representative
of Job's
words
fourth
he misunderstands
the nature
of suffering
he misunderstands
the nature
of suffering
we find this
in Job
33
verses
29
and 30
he says
behold
God does
all these
things
he's referring
to suffering
and God
speaking
through
suffering
he says
behold
God does
all these
things
twice
three times
with a man
to bring
back his
soul
from the
pit
that he
may be
lighted
with the
light
of life
and to
boil it
all down
to summarize
what he
means
basically
he's saying
God
allows
suffering
to happen
and he
speaks
through
suffering
so that
we can
be informed
so that
we can
grow
in knowledge
and so
that we
can gain
more access
to truth
from God
and while
that is
true
generally
and that
is something
that we
should celebrate
God does
use
suffering
in our
life
to help
sanctify
us
to help
us
grow
in our
faith
that was
not
the reason
why God
introduced
suffering
for Job
God said
he was
blameless
not that he
didn't have
anything to
learn
but you
pull back
the veil
from chapter
one and
chapter two
and the
reason
why God
is allowing
this to
happen
has almost
nothing
to do
with Job
and everything
to do
with proving
his character
I did
not buy
Job
off
he's
a faithful
follower
of mine
I have
nothing
he has
nothing
to prove
in terms
of his
life
but I'm
going to
demonstrate
to you
Satan
that I
didn't
buy him
off
and so
while
suffering
does
provide
for us
knowledge
and certainly
Job will
have learned
through suffering
that was not
the cause
of the
suffering
that Job
was experiencing
alright
we take the
next few
minutes
just to
kind of
wrap this
up
to draw
two clothes
and to
help us
kind of
bring this
home for us
what is the
lesson
that we're
to learn
what lesson
is there
to learn
from the
life of
Elihu
and if I
were to
provide a
lesson
I were to
say
going back
to the
theme
it's
dangerous
for us
to speak
when God
is silent
don't do
it
don't speak
into a
situation
without
prayerfully
considering
the word
of God
and seeking
to address
your
counselee
or the
person that
you're seeking
to influence
don't do
it without
allowing the
word of
God to
govern
your words
your heart
your direction
and the
influence
that you
seek
to apply
to a
given
situation
and when
it comes
to the
world
that we're
living in
and all
of us
are bombarded
every single
day
with
influence
influencers
and the
only way
for your
heart
to be
guarded
against
the
influence
of this
world
which is
not only
satanic
it's
dangerous
and it
will destroy
you
inevitably
destroy
you
but guarding
your heart
and tuning
your ears
to consider
what influence
you should be
listening to
is by allowing
your life
to be
resting under
the great
influencer
the only
and ultimate
influencer
God himself
who has
spoken
through his
word to us
are you
allowing
day by
day
your heart
in life
to be
directed
by
the word
of God
are you
soaking in
and basking
in the
glow
of the
great truth
of God
drinking
in as it
were
this vine
or this
branch
that's
attached
to the
vine
drinking
in
the
wonders
of God's
truth
so that
when
the influence
comes
all around
you
you can
navigate
that influence
and be
influenced
by the
ultimate
influencer
God
himself
so that
when you
provide
your opinion
when you
provide
your advice
when you
seek to
make your
voice
heard
it's not
your voice
that people
hear
but it's
the voice
of God
it truly
is
the voice
of God
that's
coming
through
an
individual
who has
been
conditioned
to think
about
God
exalt
God
and reflect
the character
of God
the heart
of God
not in
anger
but in
humility
not in
frustration
but in
patience
as an
individual
who is
willing to
sympathize
with those
who are
hurting
in front
of you
those who
are willing
to take
the message
of the
word
and bring
it to
bear
on the
hearts
and lives
of those
around
you
are we
those
who are
willing
to be
influenced
by God
himself
and as
we
follow
God
as we
follow
God
then we
can lead
others
to see
and to
know
God
that's
ultimate
for us
we don't
want to
draw
attention
to self
we don't
want to
lead
people
to my
opinions
we don't
want
individuals
to be
drawn
to us
because we
think we
have a
corner
on good
advice
or good
wisdom
we want
to
consistently
and
continually
direct
people's
hearts
in lives
to
savor
and love
the truth
from God
and to
understand
and to
be anchored
in the
knowledge
that God
is
faithful
to direct
our paths
just closing
with this
trust in the
Lord
with all
your heart
lean
not
to your
own
understanding
in all
your ways
acknowledge
him
and he
will
make
your paths
straight
and so
if those
paths
are not
straight
right now
might I
suggest
that you
like Job
and like
Elihu
and like
Eliphaz
and Bildad
and Zophar
that instead
of jumping
the gun
and making
a decision
based upon
the other
influencers
that are
in your
life
that you
wait
and trust
in the
fact
that God
will bring
his influence
to bear
on your
life
he will
make
your paths
straight
he promises
to do
that
getting
your
attention
God
wants
to get
your
attention
too
he
longs
to have
our
attention
and that
attention
will always
direct us
to the
words of
God
are you
anchoring
and resting
your life
in the
truth
of God's
word
oh may
God
help us
not only
for our
own benefit
for the
benefit
of others
who we
will influence
day by
day
week by
week
let's
pray
Lord
thank you
for your
word
thank you
for the
truth that
we find
there
and thank
you for
the wisdom
that helps
to direct
our paths
Lord
thank you
for the
promise
that
the life
of those
who follow
the counsel
from the
scriptures
will be
blessed
so Lord
may we
experience
your blessing
and may
we be a
blessing to
others
as we
lead them
to Christ
in Jesus
name
amen
God
bless you
have a
great week
miracle