Voices from God

Job 36:1-23New International Version (NIV)

Elihu continued:

“Bear with me a little longer and I will show you
    that there is more to be said in God’s behalf.
I get my knowledge from afar;
    I will ascribe justice to my Maker.
Be assured that my words are not false;
    one who has perfect knowledge is with you.

“God is mighty, but despises no one;
    he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.
He does not keep the wicked alive
    but gives the afflicted their rights.
He does not take his eyes off the righteous;
    he enthrones them with kings
    and exalts them forever.
But if people are bound in chains,
    held fast by cords of affliction,
he tells them what they have done—
    that they have sinned arrogantly.
He makes them listen to correction
    and commands them to repent of their evil.
If they obey and serve him,
    they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity
    and their years in contentment.
But if they do not listen,
    they will perish by the sword
    and die without knowledge.

“The godless in heart harbor resentment;
    even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help.
They die in their youth,
    among male prostitutes of the shrines.
But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering;
    he speaks to them in their affliction.

“He is wooing you from the jaws of distress
    to a spacious place free from restriction,
    to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.
But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked;
    judgment and justice have taken hold of you.
Be careful that no one entices you by riches;
    do not let a large bribe turn you aside.
Would your wealth or even all your mighty efforts
    sustain you so you would not be in distress?
Do not long for the night,
    to drag people away from their homes.
Beware of turning to evil,
    which you seem to prefer to affliction.

“God is exalted in his power.
    Who is a teacher like him?
Who has prescribed his ways for him,      

    or said to him, ‘You have done wrong’?

Who is Elihu?

He isn't one of the three friends/antagonists in the Book of Job who lecture Job endlessly about the cause of Job's suffering.  Instead, Elihu just shows up out of no where in chapter  32 almost as if he has simply heard enough of the rantings of Job's "friends" and needs to defend God.

I see him in some ways as an advocate.  A spokesperson.

He speaks of wisdom coming from God and of the mystery of God's ways. He is a transition character from the speeches of Job and his three friends, to the appearance of God's very self.

Who is a voice of God for you when all the voices around you seem to drown out God's word in your life? When the messages you hear elsewhere seem to be messages that go against God's wisdom? Is there someone to whom you turn?

I'm not sure that Job turned to Elihu, or if Elihu was just a great big buttinsky who had something important to say.  

Either way, those voices in our lives are important to have.  Voices we trust to tell us the truth when we've gone off the rails.  Voices of wisdom who see things we don't and miss things we overlook.

Voices who speak God to us.

Who's your Elihu?

God of Word and Service, help us to hear your voice in those you send to us when we really need to hear you.  Amen.