1 "However, Job, please hear my speech, and listen to all my words. 2 See now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth. 3 My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart. That which my lips know they shall speak sincerely. 4 The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. 5 If you can, answer me. Set your words in order before me, and stand forth. 6 Behold, I am toward God even as you are. I am also formed out of the clay. 7 Behold, my terror shall not make you afraid, neither shall my pressure be heavy on you. 8 "Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying, 9 'I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me. 10 Behold, he finds occasions against me. He counts me for his enemy. 11 He puts my feet in the stocks. He marks all my paths.' 12 "Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man. 13 Why do you strive against him, because he doesn't give account of any of his matters? 14 For God speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed; 16 Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction, 17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. 18 He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. 19 He is chastened also with pain on his bed, with continual strife in his bones; 20 So that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty food. 21 His flesh is so consumed away, that it can't be seen. His bones that were not seen stick out. 22 Yes, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers. 23 "If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him; 24 then God is gracious to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.' 25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's. He returns to the days of his youth. 26 He prays to God, and he is favorable to him, so that he sees his face with joy. He restores to man his righteousness. 27 He sings before men, and says, 'I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it didn't profit me. 28 He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit. My life shall see the light.' 29 "Behold, God works all these things, twice, yes three times, with a man, 30 to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living. 31 Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak. 32 If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you. 33 If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom."
Elihu offers himself in God's stead to reason with Job in meekness and sincerity, Job 33:1-7. Charges Job with irreverent expressions, Job 33:8-12. Vindicates the providence of God, and shows the various methods which he uses to bring sinners to himself: - By dreams and visions, Job 33:13-15; by secret inspirations, Job 33:16-18; by afflictions, Job 33:19-22; by messengers of righteousness, Job 33:23; and by the great atonement, Job 33:24. How and from what God redeems men, and the blessings which he communicates, Job 33:25-30. Job is exhorted to listen attentively to Elihu's teaching, Job 33:31-33.
INTRODUCTION TO JOB 33
In this chapter Elihu addresses Job himself, and entreats his attention to what he had to say to him, and offers several things to induce him to it; and recommends himself as one that was according to his wish, in the stead of God, a man like himself, and of whom he had no reason to be afraid, Job 33:1; and then he brings a charge against him of things which he himself had heard, of words that had dropped from him in the course of his controversy with his friends; in which he too much and too strongly insisted on his own innocence and purity, and let fill very undue and unbecoming reflections on the dealings of God with him, Job 33:8; to which he gives an answer by observing the superior greatness of God to man, and his sovereignty over him, not being accountable to him for anything done by him; and therefore man should be silent and submissive to him, Job 33:12; and yet, though he is so great and so absolute, and uncontrollable, and is not obliged to give an account of his affairs to man, and the reasons of them; yet he condescends by various ways and means to instruct him in his mind and will, and even by these very things complained of; and therefore should not be treated as if unkind and unfriendly to men; sometimes he does it by dreams and visions, when he opens the ears of men, and seals instruction to them, and with this view, to restrain them from their evil purposes and doings, and to weaken their pride and humble them, and preserve them from ruin, Job 33:14; and sometimes by chastening and afflictive providences, which are described, Job 33:19; and which become teaching ones; through the interposition of a divine messenger, and upon the afflicted man's prayer to God, and humiliation before him, God is gracious and favourable to him, and delivers him; which is frequently the design and the use that he makes of chastening dispensations, Job 33:23; and the chapter is concluded with beseeching Job to mark and consider well what had been said unto him, and to answer it if he could or thought fit; if not, silently to attend to what he had further to say to him for his instruction, Job 33:31.
*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.