Job 36:2
Bear with me a little longer and I will show you that there is more to be said in God’s behalf.
We all have the friend who won’t leave us alone even when we’re grumpy and keep telling them to go away. We all have that person who has talked sense into us when we’ve decided to be senseless. We all have that buddy who has stuck with us through everything, pushing us to the finish line. For Job, that person was Elihu.
Elihu is an awesome friend. In the lowest point of Job’s time of testing, Elihu is there encouraging Job. Even though Job was probably pretty cranky, Elihu stays faithful, persistent, and helps Job push through this difficult section of his life. Elihu offers encouraging words, such as, “But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering” to keep Job going. Elihu tells Job to “stop and consider God’s wonders” to remind him of the blessing he still possesses. Also, if we look into earlier chapters, we see this isn’t the first time Elihu has offered Job encouragement; this is the third speech Job has received from Elihu!
Not only was Elihu Job’s friend, but he was also a mediator for Job. Along with encouraging words, Elihu also rebukes. Elihu isn’t trying to beat up Job, but he is reminding Job that the Creator has a bigger plan in mind. During this point in Job’s life, he needs a friend, but he also needs someone to tell things to him straight. Elihu was helping Job keep things in perspective. Without Elihu, it is likely that Job would have lost himself during his season of trials.
Most importantly, Elihu gave Job strength to keep going. Through his encouraging words and mediation, Job was able to persevere to the end. Without Elihu, who knows if Job would have made it? In the time when Job most needed a friend, Elihu was there.
Who are your Elihus? Who is persistent to the edge of annoying, in the right ways? Who is your mediator? Who is your through-thick-and-thin friend? Just as we all need an Elihu in our lives, or maybe a couple, we also need Jesus for the very same reasons. In times when we don’t have access to a human companion, Jesus encourages us, rebukes us, and sticks with us through everything. Have you thanked Him for that recently?
Prayer: Thank You, Lord! Thank You for giving us those Elihus to keep us going and to keep us accountable. Thank You for sending Your Son not only to be here for us always, but also to save us by death on the cross.
