Topical Bible: Anger: Elihu, Because Job had Beaten his Friends in Argument

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In the Book of Job, Elihu is introduced as a young man who becomes angry with both Job and his three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Elihu's anger is particularly directed at Job because he perceives that Job has justified himself rather than God. This episode is found in Job 32, where Elihu's character and motivations are revealed.

Elihu's anger is first mentioned in Job 32:2-3 : "Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite of the family of Ram became very angry. He was angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God, and he was also angry with Job’s three friends, because they had failed to refute Job, and yet had condemned him."

Elihu's anger is rooted in his perception that Job's friends have been unable to provide a satisfactory answer to Job's arguments, which Elihu believes have unjustly vindicated Job at the expense of God's righteousness. Elihu is portrayed as a passionate young man who feels compelled to speak because he believes that wisdom is not solely the domain of the aged, but that the Spirit of God can grant understanding to anyone, regardless of age. This is evident in Job 32:6-9 : "So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite declared: 'I am young in years, while you are old; therefore I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know. I thought that age should speak, and many years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice.'"

Elihu's anger is not merely a personal grievance but is portrayed as a righteous indignation. He believes that Job's self-justification has overshadowed the need to uphold God's justice and sovereignty. Elihu's speeches, which span Job 32-37, are an attempt to correct what he sees as a theological error on Job's part and a failure on the part of Job's friends to adequately defend God's honor.

Elihu's intervention is significant because it introduces a new perspective into the dialogue. Unlike Job's three friends, Elihu does not accuse Job of specific sins but rather focuses on the broader themes of God's justice and the human inability to fully comprehend divine wisdom. Elihu's anger, therefore, serves as a catalyst for a deeper exploration of these themes, preparing the way for God's own response to Job in the subsequent chapters.

Elihu's role and his anger highlight the complexity of the discussions surrounding suffering, divine justice, and human understanding. His speeches emphasize the importance of humility before God and the recognition that human wisdom is limited. Elihu's anger, while intense, is portrayed as a zeal for God's righteousness and a desire to see God's character rightly understood and honored.

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Job 32:3
Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
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The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
... they transgress as well as others, and because the law ... man with God, as a man pleadeth
for his neighbour!" (Job ... Such an one Job had, but he had almost at this ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the work of jesus christ.htm

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
... or be overtaken with hastiness or anger, they presently ... not be ashamed to use such
things; since Elihu, that had ... Because the time is short, that they that buy ...
/.../proposition xv concerning salutations and.htm