Fish the Right

Day 24 · Part 2: Abraham’s Family

Elihu (1 of 2)

Job 32–34 · 92 verses

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In the Story

In context

Job’s three friends stop answering him, and a fourth man speaks: Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite. The book has not mentioned him before. He had waited because the others were older than he was, but now he is angry: with Job, for justifying himself rather than God, and with the three friends, because they had condemned Job without finding an answer (Job 32:1–6).

Elihu says God speaks to people in dreams and visions at night, and through pain on a sickbed, to keep them back from “the pit,” the grave (33:14–22). If an angel is beside such a person to show him what is right, God says, “Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom,” and his body becomes “fresher than a child’s” (33:23–25). In chapter 34 Elihu insists that God never does wrong and that no darkness can hide evildoers from him (34:10–12, 21–22). His speeches run on through chapter 37.

A word of hope
I waited patiently for Yahweh. He turned to me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. He set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand. He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in Yahweh.

Psalms 40:1–3 · Elihu speaks of God bringing a suffering man back from the pit (Job 33:28–30); the psalmist thanks God for lifting him out of “a horrible pit.”

In the Bible

World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).

Job 32

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Job 33

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Job 34

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A hymn for today

Sweet Hour of Prayer · words by William W. Walford

Organ and orchestra: an introduction, then each of the 3 verses. Tap a verse’s number to start there.
  1. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!That calls me from a world of care,And bids me at my Father's throneMake all my wants and wishes known;In seasons of distress and grief,My soul has often found relief,And oft escaped the tempter's snareBy thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
  2. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!Thy wings shall my petition bearTo Him whose truth and faithfulnessEngage the waiting soul to bless;And since He bids me seek His face,Believe His word and trust His grace,I'll cast on Him my every care,And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
  3. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!May I thy consolation share,Till, from Mount Pisgah's lofty height,I view my home and take my flight:This robe of flesh I'll drop, and riseTo seize the everlasting prize;And shout, while passing through the air,Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!