Wisdom · Chapter 33 of 42

Job 33

Elihu turns directly to Job, inviting him to answer. He argues that God does speak to people, though they miss it, through dreams and through pain that warns the soul back from the pit. Then he describes a mediating messenger, one among a thousand, who declares a person's uprightness and announces, I have found a ransom, so the sufferer is restored and sees God's face with joy.

What happens in Job 33

Elihu addresses Job by name, urging him to listen and, if he can, to reply. He offers himself as a sparring partner formed of the same clay, so Job need not fear him as he fears God. Elihu recalls Job's complaint that God treats him as an enemy, and corrects it: God is greater than man and need not account for his ways. God speaks in more than one way. He warns through dreams and visions to turn a person from pride, and he chastens with pain on the bed until the body wastes and the soul draws near the grave.

Then Elihu describes a rescuer: a messenger, an interpreter, one among a thousand, who shows a person what is right. God is gracious and says, Deliver him from the pit, I have found a ransom. The sufferer's flesh is renewed, he prays and sees God's face with joy, and his life sees the light.

Job 33 in context

This is Elihu's first sustained argument. Against the friends, who reduced suffering to punishment, he adds a purpose: affliction can be God's discipline, opening the ear and drawing a person back from destruction. His picture of a mediating angel who finds a ransom introduces the hope of deliverance rather than mere verdict.

The language of ransom and restoration to the light stands out sharply in a book otherwise heavy with unanswered pain.

Main themes of Job 33

Job 33 (KJV)

1Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words. 2Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth. 3My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. 4The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. 5If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up. 6Behold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay. 7Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee. 8Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, 9I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. 10Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy, 11He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths. 12Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. 13Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters. 14For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. 15In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; 16Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, 17That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. 18He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. 19He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: 20So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. 21His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. 22Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. 23If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: 24Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. 25His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth: 26He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness. 27He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; 28He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. 29Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, 30To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. 31Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak. 32If thou hast anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee. 33If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.

Verses to carry from Job 33

“If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:”Job 33:23

“Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.”Job 33:24

“He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.”Job 33:28

Reflection

Elihu insists God is speaking even in the sleepless night and the aching body. When your pain feels only like silence or like punishment, could it also be a voice turning you back from a path toward the pit? Listen for the mercy that may be hidden inside the discipline.

A prayer from Job 33