Elihu is angry Job believes himself on a plane where he thinks he can complain of God’s decisions. He accuses Job of contending he is more right or righteous than God and even asking What use is God? Elihu stresses Job is NOT appreciating God’s majesty. Nor is Job humble in the face of God. Job is also accused of denying any moral order.
Elihu then re-emphasizes that Job has sinned then rebelled for not acknowledging same and endlessly clamors. Elihu instructs Job to look to the Heavens. This is a Reminder to LOOK UP and behold that infinite majesty. The fraction of the sky we perceive speaks to God’s omnipotence.
Elihu uses this portion of his speech to take Job to task for questioning whether it even profits man to refrain from sin.
Elihu then discusses the subject of how sin affects God. He implies there is an arrogance in Job believing his actions impact the Lord. Elihu notes: For even if Your crimes be many – what does it do to him? This idea seemingly contradicts the Old Testament theme that sin profoundly wounds God. However, it can be reconciled. We can come to appreciate the ways God is both unreachable and vey reachable. Never lose sight, however, that the Lord is the ultimate King and none of us are “masters of the universe.” Elihu posits that Job has lost his fear and reverence.
Elihu also takes up the corollary – that even if Job is in the right – what extra benefit does God receive? Additionally, when we act in ways we regard as pleasing to God, we may find ourselves challenged by a test of faith. Though difficult, just being tested can be looked at as a badge of honor in that we have been deemed worthy of such a challenge.
Elihu moves on to mentioning obvious human suffering. Multitudes cry out to God on such occasions, including many who did not honor Him. Calling to the Lord, even in frustration, serves as an acknowledgment of his power. In our own troubles, we should ALWAYS look to him first. Elihu is speaking to the need to commune with God and recognize his wisdom, protection and road to salvation.
Elihu implies that sinful people historically oppress others. So, Your sin, even if it does not hypothetically reach God, has an impact. In the same vein, acting wickedly can affect the transgressor without God’s interference based on some underlying law of nature, which we often try to explain through karma or cause-and-effect.
Elihu asks Job where he gets the audacity to cry out in the manner he has. He acknowledges Job’s plight but considers that others have had it equally bad. In this world, if you look hard enough, we will always see worse suffering. It is a never-ending conundrum.
Elihu also points out that God is less likely to answer the proud. He is much more likely to respond to those who have attempted to maintain the proper relationship. Elihu expresses: God does not answer from evil man’s haughtiness.
One way to look at Job’s conundrum is that Job was sent to suffer for reasons he could never understand. His case is a lesson to humanity -- provided through the arrangement between the Almighty and Satan (or Ha-Satan – Accuser/Adversary). We can never grasp the full meaning dynamic. The answers are multi-faced and multi-dimensional. However, through the proper approach to analyzing Job’s plight we can get a tinge of the answers to man's most profound questions.