Elihu’s Theology and His View of Suffering -- By: Larry J. Waters
Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 156:622 (Apr 1999)
Article: Elihu’s Theology and His View of Suffering
Author: Larry J. Waters
BSac 156:622 (Apr 99) p. 143
Elihu’s Theology and His View of Suffering
The Book of Job is essentially about God’s relationship with humankind, specifically with a man named Job, and it revolves around two questions. The first question is introduced through the accusations of Satan (1:9–11; 2:4–5): Why do people worship God?1 Satan suggested that the motivation for Job’s worship and righteousness was “self-focused aggrandizement (Job 1:9–11).”2 Elihu3 sought to show that Satan’s thesis-that “all religious interest is ultimately grounded in self-interest, or worse, in mercenary commitment”4 -is false.
The second question asks, How should people respond or react to God when He is silent and seemingly unconcerned about their problems? Therefore Elihu’s theology is primarily related to Job’s reaction to God, and the misunderstanding of the three antagonists and Job regarding their relationship to Him. Specifically Job questioned the operation of God’s justice and ultimately God’s own integrity, whereas the three questioned Job’s claim of innocence and asserted God’s right to exercise His freedom in the use of retributive justice. These two attributes, God’s justice and sovereignty, were emphatically defended by Elihu.
* Larry J. Waters is Professor of Bible Exposition, International School of Theology-Asia, Quezon City, Philippines.
BSac 156:622 (Apr 99) p. 144
Elihu’s View of Suffering relative to the Theology of God
In response to these two questions Elihu spoke first of God’s sovereignty. God is greater than man (33:12); He is sovereign in His decisions and actions (34:14–15, 29), in His rule over individuals, nations, and the earth (33:14–18, 29–30; 34:13–15, 21–25; 37:13), and in His greatness (36:22, 26). His sovereignty is demonstrated in His creative work (32:22;
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