Podcast 48, Stories of the Bible, “The Book of Job, Ch 34”

Podcast 48, Stories of the Bible, “The Book of Job, Ch 34”Chapter 34 begins with the familiar refrain.Job 34:1Furthermore Elihu answered and said,From that point on, Elihu uses the following refrain to divide his chapter into stanzas or paragraphs..1.     Hear my words (verses 2-9)2.     Therefore hearken unto me (verses 10-15)3.     Hear this: hearken to the voice of my words ((verses 16-33)4.     And let a wise man hearken unto me. (verses 34-37)In English jargon those would be topic sentences that introduce paragraphs supporting a single thesis. In English format, the thesis would either be placed at the beginning, which is most common, or at the end for climactic purposes. From previous chapters of Job, we may surmise that Chapter 34 is a chiasm, following the model A1, B1—B2, A2. I shall analyze the parable by combining A1 & A2 and B1 & B2.  B2 will contain the most important part of the parable. In other words that is where we shall find the theme.  It is important to know that the Book of Job is very formal, tightly linked together through parallelism. It is one great argument among Job, Bildad, Eliphaz, Zophar, and Elihu, each respecting the others’ point of view. Notice that no one ever interrupts the other. That is a model that our own government could learn from.  Another thing we learn is that there is a kernel of truth in every argument. Ironically, from what we know of Job’s character, the premises of Bildad, Eliphaz, Zophar, and Elihu are wrong. They have misjudged Job enormously and unfairly; however, we must consider where they are coming from.  They are bringing in their biases from outside. Bildad, Eliphaz, and Zophar believe in a God, but they do not believe in Jehovah or Christ. Elihu, on the other hand, appears to believe in a redeemer who ransomed us from our sins. That sets Elihu apart. However, all four had condemned Job in their hearts before then even arrived. All four came to chastise and teach Job, not out of hate, we may assume, but out of love.  Chapter 34 contains some great Christian advice from Elihu, even more than the other three combined. The problem is that Job is innocent, even of the charges of Elihu. In other words, Elihu’s advice is great, but it is misplaced. But the audience of the Book of Job is not Job himself. They lived thousands of years ago. We are the audience. We must determine if the condemnation of Elihu applies to us. The purpose of the Book of Job is to ask us to access our own standing with God. As with all true scripture and all great literature, it speaks to every generation for it goes deeper than cultural or religious biases.A1 Job 34:2-9Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat. Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good. For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment. Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression. What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men. For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.One must love the image, “For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.” Elihu asks us to choose judgment, to know for ourselves what is good. Who can deny such good advice? However, Elihu mispresents Job. God didn’t take away Job’s judgment. It was the citizens who once respected Job’s every word who quit listening to him. When Job was wealthy and prosperous, above all men, they listened to him. Now that he sat in ashes they scorned him. The following statement by Elihu is true: “For Job hath said, I am righteous and God hath taken