(Job 34–37 | Chapter XXIV of Jessie Penn-Lewis’s The Story of Job)
“Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out…”
—Job 37:23 (KJV)
Elihu speaks for four full chapters—longer than any other human speaker in the book.
He is articulate, passionate, and certain.
But there is something missing:
- No acknowledgment of Job’s heart.
- No intercession.
- No invitation to restoration.
Jessie Penn-Lewis writes:
“Elihu was full of thunder—but lacked rain. He could convict, but he could not cleanse.”
A Mixture of Truth and Misapplication
Elihu defends God’s justice—rightly.
“Surely God will not do wickedly…” (34:12)
He rebukes Job for claiming innocence—boldly.
“Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.” (34:35)
But he doesn’t see what God sees.
He doesn’t carry what Job carries.
He speaks about God, but not from God.
A Dangerous Confidence
Elihu claims inspiration:
“I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.” (36:3)
He’s not wrong in what he says about God’s greatness—but he speaks above his experience.
“God is great, and we know him not…” (36:26)
Ironically, he says this while acting as though he knows everything.
Thunder Without Rain
He ends with storm imagery:
“He directeth it under the whole heaven…” (37:3)
“Out of the south cometh the whirlwind…” (37:9)
The sky is roaring.
But the rain of mercy does not fall.
Jessie Penn-Lewis notes:
“True ministry leaves souls broken—and blessed. Elihu left them bruised and breathless.”
God Is Coming
Elihu’s storm builds to a climax—but he is not the voice of God.
He prepares the ground, but his words will soon be eclipsed by God Himself.
And when the Lord speaks, He will correct Job—but He will ignore Elihu entirely.
Overcomer’s Checkpoint
- Am I quick to speak when I’ve not been sent?
- How can I discern between spiritual intensity and spiritual maturity?
- Have I ever thundered without bringing grace?
“Elihu was full of thunder—but lacked rain. He could convict, but he could not cleanse.”
—Jessie Penn-Lewis