Elihu: Suffering as a Disciple Part 1 (Job 32-37)
Outlines and Structure
At this point in Job, we encounter a jarring development. Elihu shows up. Or rather, he speaks up. As far as we know, he was always there. And yet he has not been mentioned at all up to this point! Who is this guy, and what part does he have to play?
Various proposals have been offered. Some say he was simply not mentioned because he is young and overlooked. Others propose that he is an invention of the author or redactor of the original story to insert his own views. Still others propose even more radical solutions, such as a complete resorting of the text.
David J.A. Clines did this when he suggested that the Elihu material belongs in a different part of the book, namely before chapter 28. His proposal offers a solution to the obvious structural mistake of the book… when the third cycle of dialogue abruptly ends. He suggests that the third cycle ends with chapter 27 (and that much of that chapter and 26 are Bildad’s and Zophar’s words with Job’s responses). Chapters 32 through 37 then follow next, with Elihu’s response to all three friends as well as Job, and that chapter 28 is the conclusion to Elihu’s words. Then the narrative of 29-31 follow, right before YHWH’s speeches starting in chapter 33.
This helps the flow of the book. The three cycles are balanced with the third cycle matching the other two structurally. They end with the phrase, “then these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.” It makes chapter 28 Elihu’s words and not Job’s. And it has Job as the last person to speak before YHWH responds. The phrase, “The words of Job are ended,” immediately proceed YHWH’s first speech.
So, the new outline would look like this:
The 3rd Cycle: (22-27)
Eliphaz (Chapter 22)
Job’s response to Eliphaz (Chapters 23, 24)
Bildad (Chapters 25, 26)
Job’s response to Bildad (Chapter 27)
Zophar (Chapter 27)
Elihu’s Words (32-37, 28)
Job’s Final Speech (29-31)
Challenge: The LORD answers Job (38-)
Of course, that involves a whole lot of speculation. And speculation is usually dangerous. And if we believe that God is in charge of His revelation—that He inspired its writing and composition—we. Might ought to just take it as we have received it and learn what we can. Perhaps transposition errors are a part of the masterpiece!
At this point in Job, we encounter a jarring development. Elihu shows up. Or rather, he speaks up. As far as we know, he was always there. And yet he has not been mentioned at all up to this point! Who is this guy, and what part does he have to play?
Various proposals have been offered. Some say he was simply not mentioned because he is young and overlooked. Others propose that he is an invention of the author or redactor of the original story to insert his own views. Still others propose even more radical solutions, such as a complete resorting of the text.
David J.A. Clines did this when he suggested that the Elihu material belongs in a different part of the book, namely before chapter 28. His proposal offers a solution to the obvious structural mistake of the book… when the third cycle of dialogue abruptly ends. He suggests that the third cycle ends with chapter 27 (and that much of that chapter and 26 are Bildad’s and Zophar’s words with Job’s responses). Chapters 32 through 37 then follow next, with Elihu’s response to all three friends as well as Job, and that chapter 28 is the conclusion to Elihu’s words. Then the narrative of 29-31 follow, right before YHWH’s speeches starting in chapter 33.
This helps the flow of the book. The three cycles are balanced with the third cycle matching the other two structurally. They end with the phrase, “then these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.” It makes chapter 28 Elihu’s words and not Job’s. And it has Job as the last person to speak before YHWH responds. The phrase, “The words of Job are ended,” immediately proceed YHWH’s first speech.
So, the new outline would look like this:
The 3rd Cycle: (22-27)
Eliphaz (Chapter 22)
Job’s response to Eliphaz (Chapters 23, 24)
Bildad (Chapters 25, 26)
Job’s response to Bildad (Chapter 27)
Zophar (Chapter 27)
Elihu’s Words (32-37, 28)
Job’s Final Speech (29-31)
Challenge: The LORD answers Job (38-)
Of course, that involves a whole lot of speculation. And speculation is usually dangerous. And if we believe that God is in charge of His revelation—that He inspired its writing and composition—we. Might ought to just take it as we have received it and learn what we can. Perhaps transposition errors are a part of the masterpiece!
Comments
Post a Comment