Who is Elihu? - Job
Job 2:11 (3 friends came, Elihu not mentioned)
When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him.
Job 32:1-4 (Elihu is there, and has been listening seemingly the whole time, with no explanation how or when he arrived).
So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him. Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he. But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.
"I get my knowledge from afar;
I will ascribe justice to my Maker.
Be assured that my words are not false;
one who has perfect knowledge is with you."
Job 42:7
After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has."
So in the narrative of Job, Elihu appears to be a man who:
1. Is not listed with the three friends that arrive, but then is suddenly there, apparently having listened the whole time.
2. Seems to indicate that he has perfect knowledge from God. Though this reference of "one with perfect knowledge is with you" might be in reference to The Lord directly, this would still indicate a direct connection to the words of God, like Jesus has. Additionally, there are several other instances in his speech where he indicates authority, of a kind.
3. When God gives the rundown of who was right and who was wrong, he does not make reference to Elihu at all, or refute his brazen words.
All of this is making me wonder who the heck this guy was!? His movement in and out of the scene and narrative, and his unrefuted declaration of having such knowledge and claim to truth, suggest to me that he was no ordinary man, but perhaps was a Son of God. This would mean he was either Jesus, or a Son that was not "begotten" but may have arrived from another time, after/beyond when Jesus' declaration that we would be called Children of our Father in heaven takes place.
Matthew 5:44-45
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."
Highly suspicious this Elihu. -.-
As an afterthought here, for I imagine this argument coming up: "it is written exactly who he is, and even his family line."
Job 32:2
But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God.
Mark 6:2-3
When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.
“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
Mark 6:4-6
Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
John 8:14
Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going."
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