Elihu begins his speech quite boastfully (3). He seems to have misunderstood what Job was saying. He thinks that Job is boasting about his righteousness and claiming to be without sin (9). Job defended his integrity against his friends' accusations, but he never claimed to be sinless.

In spite of this, Elihu teaches correctly that God speaks to people through their life situations to lead them to repentance. God may speak to us in a subtle way, perhaps in a dream, but more often through his word, to steer us away from wrongdoing (14-18). God lets people taste the fruit of their sin so that they can realize their sinfulness and come to him before it is too late. (19-22) This is part of God's salvation grace.

Elihu's message prefigures the gospel. What people who are suffering in sin need most is a messenger to preach the gospel to them (23), telling them how Christ has paid the ransom for all their sins (24). Then they can pray and accept God's grace, their lives will be restored, and they can share their testimony of how God delivered them from destruction (27-28).


Application: Father, thank you for the messengers who brought me the gospel when I needed it. Help me give the good news to turn others from destruction.
One Word: Be a messenger of restoration