Chapter Summary

Elihu's discourse continued. Affliction is shown to be discipline.

Discussion Questions for Job, Chapter 33

1. How did Elihu speak to Job? Why is this significant? How does it differ from the way Jobs friends spoke to him in the previous chapters?
2. Elihu tells Job, “Behold, no fear of me need terrify you; my pressure will not be heavy upon you.” (Job 33:7, ESV) What does he mean by this? How would hearing these words make you feel? How might you say these words in modern time?
3. How would you personally feel about Elihu’s approach to addressing Job’s situation? What kind of heart posture does it sound like Elihu had?
4. Elihu told Job, “You say, ‘I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me.” (Job 33:9, ESV) What did Elihu have to back up these words? How accurate is this to Job’s heart? Where in Scripture or in your life have you seen someone add words to something to change the meaning?
5. Job 33:12, “Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.” (ESV) Do you think Job did not know God was greater? How would this impact the way he received these words from Elihu?
6. How does Elihu perceive suffering? How does his perception of suffering differ from Jobs other three friends?
7. Job 33:23-24, “If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him, and he is merciful to him, and says ‘Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom.” (ESV) Why might a messenger or mediator be sent? How does this verse impact the way you understand intercession?
8. What image of redemption is painted for us in verses 26-28? What do these verses teach us about how God speaks to and redeems people?
9. What is Elihu trying to communicate to Job in verses 29-33? What does he want him to understand about God?
10. How does Elihu end his speech? What does this teach you about the way he addresses Job?

Key Words/Phrase

God's working, vv. 29, 30.

Characters

God, Elihu, Job.

Strong Verse(s)

4, 26.