On the other hand, Elihu also agrees with Job too. While he questions how Job thinks he can comprehend the actions of God, he argues that God does indeed intervene and try to offer salvation for people -- redemption, in Job's earlier words in chapter 19.
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The second reading provides God's dramatic entry into the conversation. Earlier, Job demanded the right to make his case directly to God (in language that imagined a court case with God as both judge and defendant). Now, God answers Job's challenge. The answer, however, does not speak directly to Job's arguments. Instead, God challenges Job's understanding of the universe, asking "Where were you when I created the heavens and the earth?" The implication is clear: Job does not understand all that he thinks he does. In the matter of suffering, it suggests that humans lack all sorts of abilities to fully understand the cause and effect -- we cannot fully know the innocence or guilt of others; perhaps we also cannot know if what we describe as suffering is seen by God as suffering (perhaps it is what might be called "a blessing in disguise").
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Reading the Bible in Its Entirety
If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Job 26-33 today.
If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Job 26-33 today.
