.33:1-33.

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Elihu accuses Job (Job 33:1-33)

Turning now to Job, Elihu gives the assurance that he speaks with sincerity and with respect for the God who created him (Job 33:1-4).

He also speaks as one who is on a level of equality with Job (Job 33:5-7).

To begin with Elihu recalls Job’s claim to be innocent and Job’s accusation that God has treated him as if he were guilty (Job 33:8-11).

Elihu is shocked that a person could make such an accusation against God, and boldly rebukes Job (Job 33:12-13).

He suggests that if Job were quiet for a while, he might hear God speaking to him, possibly through a dream or vision. God will then show him his pride so that he might repent of it and be saved from destruction (Job 33:14-18).

Elihu then repeats, and in some ways expands, what the other three have already said. He starts by asserting that God punishes the sinner with disease and suffering (Job 33:19-21).

Then, when the person is almost dead, God sends a messenger to show him his sin and lead him to repentance (Job 33:22-23.

Perhaps Elihu sees himself as this messenger). The person is then saved from death, his body is healed and good health returns (Job 33:24-25).

He rejoices in fellowship with God again, and confesses to all that though he was justly punished for his sin, God has mercifully saved him (Job 33:26-28).

After giving an added warning not to ignore God’s patience and mercy, Elihu challenges Job to deny the truth of his argument. If Job has nothing to say, let him listen to Elihu further (Job 33:29-33).