**The Unshaken Righteousness of Job: Elihu’s Discourse on Divine Justice**

The night air was thick with the weight of unspoken tension as the small gathering of men sat around the flickering fire. Job, his body wracked with sores, his spirit weary from relentless suffering, remained silent. His three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—had exhausted their arguments, each insisting that Job’s calamities were the result of hidden sin. But now, a younger voice rose in the stillness, one that had listened patiently until this moment. Elihu, his heart burning with conviction, leaned forward, the firelight casting long shadows across his intense face.

**”Hear my words, you wise men,”** Elihu began, his voice steady yet fervent. **”Listen to me, you who have knowledge. For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food. Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.”**

The men turned toward him, their expressions a mix of curiosity and caution. Elihu, though younger, spoke with a wisdom that demanded attention. He had waited, but now the time had come to address the great matter of God’s justice—a matter Job had questioned in his anguish.

### **The Sovereignty of God’s Justice**

Elihu’s words flowed like a river, deep and unyielding. **”Job has said, ‘I am innocent, yet God denies me justice. He counts me as His enemy, though I have done no wrong.’ But I ask you, can a man be more just than God? Can a mortal be purer than his Maker?”**

The fire crackled as the weight of his question settled over them. Elihu’s eyes burned with conviction. **”Look, God does not act wickedly; the Almighty does not pervert justice. Who appointed Him over the earth? Who entrusted the world to His care? If He were to withdraw His Spirit and breath, all mankind would perish together, and man would return to dust.”**

A gust of wind stirred the embers, sending sparks spiraling into the dark sky. Elihu’s voice grew stronger. **”If you have understanding, hear this: Listen to the sound of His voice, to the thunder that comes from His mouth. He sends His lightning across the heavens, and His voice roars in wondrous ways. By His power He governs the nations; He provides food in abundance. His eyes are on the ways of mortals; He sees their every step.”**

### **The Folly of Accusing God**

Elihu turned his gaze to Job, not with condemnation, but with a plea for understanding. **”Job, you have questioned God’s fairness, saying, ‘He takes away my rights.’ But tell me, can one who hates justice govern? Would you condemn the righteous and mighty One, who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked’? He shows no partiality to princes, nor favors the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of His hands!”**

The silence was heavy. Even the night creatures seemed to hush at the proclamation. Elihu pressed on, his voice unwavering. **”God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should change His mind. Does He not see my ways and count my every step? If He chooses to be silent, who can condemn Him? If He hides His face, who can perceive Him? Yet He watches over both individuals and nations, so that the godless may not rule and snare the people.”**

### **A Call to Repentance and Trust**

Elihu’s tone softened, but his message remained firm. **”Job, if you have sinned, what do you accomplish against Him? If your transgressions are many, what does it do to Him? If you are righteous, what do you give to Him? Your righteousness benefits a man like yourself, and your wickedness affects only the sons of men.”**

He spread his hands, imploring. **”Men cry out under the weight of oppression; they plead for relief from the hand of the mighty. But none says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?’ They do not turn to Him in their distress, and so they perish in their pride.”**

Elihu’s final words fell like a hammer upon an anvil. **”Therefore, Job, listen to me: Behold, God is mighty, yet He despises no one; He is mighty in strength of understanding. He does not keep the wicked alive, but gives justice to the afflicted. He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous, but seats them with kings on the throne forever, and they are exalted.”**

A deep stillness settled over the group. The fire burned low, its embers glowing like distant stars. Job, though still in agony, did not respond. Elihu had spoken not to condemn, but to remind them all of the unshaken righteousness of God—a righteousness that stands firm even when men falter in understanding.

For in the end, the Almighty does not answer to mortals, but all creation answers to Him. And though His ways are sometimes hidden, His justice is perfect, His wisdom unsearchable, and His rule unshaken.

Thus ended Elihu’s discourse, leaving the men to ponder the majesty and mystery of the God who governs all things.