Elihu is filled with righteous indignation at Job’s complaints against God. And he makes a lot of sense in his arguments!
I especially liked these verses:
It’s impossible for God to do anything evil;
no way can the Mighty One do wrong.
He makes us pay for exactly what we’ve done—no more, no less.
Our chickens always come home to roost.
It’s impossible for God to do anything wicked,
for the Mighty One to subvert justice.
He’s the one who runs the earth!
He cradles the whole world in his hand!
If he decided to hold his breath,
every man, woman, and child would die for lack of air.
Elihu is only saying what I’ve been thinking in the back of my mind:
31-33 “So why don’t you simply confess to God?
Say, ‘I sinned, but I’ll sin no more.
Teach me to see what I still don’t see.
Whatever evil I’ve done, I’ll do it no more.’
Just because you refuse to live on God’s terms,
do you think he should start living on yours?
You choose. I can’t do it for you.
Tell me what you decide.
It’ll be interesting to see what comes of Elihu’s throwing down of the gauntlet.
I LOVE that you’re using The Message Bible, too! It just has a way with words that I love. 🙂