Job 33:1 “But now, Job, listen to my words; pay attention to everything I say.”
As I was reading this second chapter of Elihu’s long, wordy speech, Shakespeare’s Macbeth came to mind, specifically the soliloquy in Act 5, scene 5, “…It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” This feeling was further enhanced by commentary, which called Elihu “an astonishingly pompous little windbag.”
Job 33:31 “Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.”
But I am left trying to read a deeper significance into this chapter, into young, wordy, self-assured Elihu. What’s his purpose? What are we supposed to learn from him? Is he a cautionary tale about not being too full of yourself, about not inserting yourself into someone else’s misery and trying to “save” them? Is he a reminder that even though we may think we know, we must always be mindful that God’s ways are not our ways and we must proceed with caution as we seek to be compassionate and not condemning?
Job 33:32 “If you have anything to say, answer me; speak up, for I want to vindicate you.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. I know that if I set my heart and mind to You, I can always leave Your word a little closer to You than I started. Draw me to You. Help me, always, to treat others with the compassion with which You treat me. Amen.
Job 33:33 “But if not, then listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.”
Have a blessed day.