以利戶在本章繼續以約伯為他言論發表的對象。他以有禮貌、卻帶自信的態度，向約伯的立場挑戰，但是他向約伯保證不必害怕；以利戶要在上帝的面前作約伯的「發言人」（33：6），以及他以啟示真理的方式努力為約伯辯護（33：32）。

        約伯所說有關他無辜與清潔的話都已為以利戶所引用（33：9），但是我們必須記住，約伯所說的這些話是針對三個朋友對他指控所作的辯護，而非否認人性有罪的本質（比較7：21；13：26）。不過，約伯的話仍帶有自義的暗示（尤其是在卅一章中），但是以利戶很快就證明，約伯對上帝及祂公義所作的抱怨是不對的（33：12），也是悖逆的（34：37）。約伯的態度顯示，他缺乏智慧與知識（34：35）。以利戶說，上帝是不可能不公平的，祂是上帝，祂比人大，人不可能了解祂所有的道路和目的。

        上帝一心只顧念著世人的福祉，上帝的心正好與約伯所表示的感受相反，因為上帝對人類是公正的，於是以利戶表達了一個真理：「上帝注目觀看人的道路，看明人的腳步」（34：21）。上帝的目的就是救贖人類，拯救他們不要掉進「坑洞」；以利戶指出，上帝用三種方法拯救人類的靈魂及啟示祂自己：（1）用夢和異象（33：15）；（2）用痛苦與苦難來磨折（33：19）；及（3）用恩典的上帝所差遣的公義使者和中保來拯救（33：23~24）。毫無疑問地，第三點必是出於上帝的默示，藉此預言主耶穌成為祂所差遣的彌賽亞，而且祂將親自成為我們的中保，並成為我們的贖價（或救贖）（約壹2：1；提前2：5~6；來7：25）。

        約伯從這一新觀點來看他所受的苦難時，必有如釋重負和愉悅的感覺。他所受的苦難是一種管教；正如以利法所了解的，這種管教與罪並沒有直接的關係（5：17），上帝的恩典乃是要警告他，教導他，使他將來不致陷在罪裡（驕傲／自義），也不會在坑裡滅亡（33：17~18）。以利戶生動地描繪了上帝所賜的令人喜悅的復原（33：25~26），這一點必定使約伯有了希望。以利戶指出，這一復原一定要伴隨禱告、認罪、悔改，及上帝的義在人的身上重現（33：26~27）。誠然，若是我們的裡面沒有基督的義，我們在上帝面前祇不過是骯髒的破布（賽64：6；約壹1：9）。

        最後，當約伯有機會回答以利戶的問題時，他卻什麼都沒有說。他保持寧靜，接受以利戶的教訓與智慧（33：31~33）。當他回想起他如何指控那位有恩典、又有愛心的上帝時，這種新的識見必然使他的心中充滿了羞愧。以利戶繼續引述約伯對上帝的抱怨，約伯曾指控上帝對他作了不公平的懲罰，因為他認為他「沒有犯罪」（34：5~6）。以利戶說，上帝是公正與公義的。這位宇宙的全能創造者與統治者從來沒有放鬆公義，造成混亂，因為上帝是有秩序的。祂是一位良善的上帝；對所有的人類與受造物而言，祂也是一位公正、有權威、無所不知的審判官。所有受造物的存留都在於祂（徒17：28）。祂如專心為己，祂可以從地上收回自己的靈和氣，凡有血氣的就必一同死亡，世人必歸塵土（34：14~15）。上帝竭力地賜給人新的、更興盛的生命；那也是祂差遣愛子來到世上的理由（約10：10）。

        約伯質疑上帝仁慈的照顧，悖逆懷疑祂的公義，雖然其動機情有可原，卻仍是愚昧之舉。約伯沒有耐心地憤慨拍手，用許多言語輕慢上帝（34：37）。以利戶給約伯機會為自己的悖逆辯護，但以利戶有智慧的話語又一次使約伯說不出話來。對約伯而言，這一定是一種受挫的經驗，然而他還是用心傾聽以利戶的話語；說不定以利戶從前在約伯風光的時候，還曾在他面前受過教，一心想效法他呢！（29：8）。誠然，約伯一度是受人稱讚的人，且是值得效法的榜樣；然而在他有了受苦的經驗之後，他就成為更偉大的榜樣了。

        父啊，我們今天帶著感恩的心來到您的面前。請使我們心裡充滿屬靈的智慧與明白，好在逆境中明白您的良善旨意。奉主耶穌基督聖名，阿們！

English

        The young man, Elihu, continued his discourse by directing his attention to Job. He respectfully, yet confidently, challenged Job's position, but he also assured Job he had nothing to fear; Elihu would be as Job's "spokesman before God" (33:6), and he sought to justify Job by revealing the truth (33:32).

        Job's words concerning his innocence and purity were accurately quoted by Elihu (33:9), but it must be remembered that these words of Job were spoken in defence of the charges laid against him by his three friends and not in denial of a sin nature (cf. 7:21; 13:26). There is, however, a hint of self-righteousness in Job (especially in chapter 31), but Elihu soon proved that Job's complaining attitude toward God and His justice (or, as Job believed, the lack of it) was unrighteous (33:12) and even rebellious (34:37). Job's attitude showed that he lacked wisdom and knowledge (34:35). Elihu argued that it was impossible for God to be unjust and that since He is God and greater than man, man cannot hope to understand all His ways and purposes.

        God has only the good of His creation in mind, and contrary to Job's expressed feeling that God is disinterested in mankind, Elihu expressed the truth that "His eyes are on the ways of man, and He sees all his steps" (34:21). God's purpose is to redeem and save mankind from falling into "the Pit", and Elihu gives three means whereby God seeks to save souls and reveal Himself: (1) through dreams and visions (33:15); (2) through chastening with pain and suffering (33:19); and (3) by a righteous messenger or mediator sent by a gracious God to redeem man (33:23-24). This third point was no doubt inspired by God in prophetic anticipation of the Lord Jesus who was that Messenger sent by God, and who Himself became our advocate and was made a ransom (or atonement) for us (1 John 2:1; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; Heb. 7:25).

        Job must have been relieved and thrilled to view his suffering in this new light. His suffering was a chastisement, not meted out in proportion to sin, as Eliphaz reasoned (5:17), but a gracious act of God to warn and teach him, so that he might not eventually fall into sin (pride/self-righteousness) and perish in the Pit (33:17-18). Elihu painted a beautiful picture of the joyous restoration God offers (33:25-26), and this surely would have given hope to Job. Elihu pointed out that this restoration must be accompanied by prayer, confession, and repentance, and it involved a restoration of God's righteousness upon man (33:26-27). Truly, without the righteousness of Christ in us, we are as filthy rags before God (Isaiah 64:6, IJohn 1:9).

        Finally, when Job was given the opportunity to answer Elihu, he had nothing to say. He held his peace and accepted the instruction and wisdom of Elihu (33:31-33). This new insight must have filled Job with shame as he recalled the accusations he made against his gracious and loving God. Elihu continued by quoting Job's complaints against God which actually accused God of being unjust in punishing him, since he was "without transgression" (34:5-6). Elihu went on to argue that God was indeed just and righteous. The Almighty Creator and Ruler of the orderly universe could never pervert justice, for that would mean anarchy, but God is a God of order. He is also a good God, and an impartial, sovereign, and all-knowing Judge over mankind, His creation. In Him all living things find their being (Acts 17:28). If He so desired, He could lift His Spirit from the earth, and all life would perish and return to dust (34:14-15). But God seeks to give man new and more abundant life; that is why He sent His Son Jesus into the world (John 10:10).

        Although it is understandable, Job was foolish to question God's benevolent providence, and he was rebellious to question His justice. Job would clap his hands with impatience and indignation against God and speak against Him; this only added to his guilt (34:37). Once again, Elihu gave Job the opportunity to defend his rebelliousness, but Elihu's words of wisdom had again silenced him. This must have been a humbling experience for Job, and he did well to heed the words of young Elihu, who might well have been one of those young men who were once awestruck by Job's presenc'e and no doubt desired to emulate him (29:8). Truly Job once had been an admirable figure and a worthy example, and after his experience of suffering, he would be an even greater example.

        Father, we come to You today with grateful hearts. Fill us with all spiritual wisdom and understanding, that we might see the good intentions of Your heart even in the midst of adverse circumstances.