DOUBLE FOR HIS TROUBLE
will redeem his soul from going down to the Pit, and his life shall see the light. Behold, God works all these things, Twice, in fact, three times with a man, To bring back his soul from the Pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of life. “Give ear, Job, listen to me; Hold your peace, and I will speak. If you have anything to say, answer me; Speak, for I desire to justify you. If not, listen to me; Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom” ((Job 33:22-33).
Can you believe the words we have just read? This is how the Spirit answers the cries of confusion and questions of injustice that Job has been expressing throughout the entire book. Elihu does not tell Job the sin he has committed is the cause of all this evil that has befallen him. He completely dismisses the argument of the three friends, which is the argument and accusations of the law. Neither does Elihu justify Job’s own righteousness. Instead, he points to God’s favor and to His grace. He speaks of providing a ransom that will deliver from the pit! Grace Because of the Ransom When I came across this segment of scripture, I literally fell to my knees in awestruck respect for the genius of the Holy Spirit who weaved this story together over a thousand years before the coming of Christ. I was overcome with the love of God and fellowship of Christ. Look again at this portion of Job, “If there is a messenger for him, A mediator, one among a thousand, To show man His uprightness, Then He is gracious to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down to the Pit; I have found a ransom.”
Elihu does not offer additional demands for perfect behavior and warnings against sin. God sends Elihu as a messenger to show Job uprightness and true righteousness. A righteousness that exceeds his 299