There are important lessons here in how not to offer counsel and what are the wrong attitudes which can lead us to want to advise another. We must never come in self-righteousness, but always as those who are ourselves sinners needing the forgiveness of Christ. We must not say more than the facts of the case warrant, nor jump to conclusions. We must show sympathy to those of the Lord’s people who suffer, and our prevailing characteristic should be one of kindness and gentleness. We should however be realistic and understand that even good people fall sometimes and need to be encouraged to honestly face up to their failings.
Elihu gives us a pastoral model. He forewarns Job how he is going to counsel. It is a manifesto of counsel: ‘The comforters, pressed you, mowed you down. Let me tell you my approach.’ We have here wonderful lessons for witness and personal evangelism. They are rules over four thousand years old, principles of witness.
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1. (32:11-12) Be a good listener. Don’t bowl people completely over so they can’t say what is in their mind.
2. (32:18-20) God’s word must be like fire in us. We must pray for a real desire to speak of our glorious Saviour, and also pray for opportunity. You cannot bear to see people in such ignorance. Elihu bursts to tell them the truth.
3. (32:21-22) Speak without fear of man and abandon all deceitful approaches. Elihu says he avoids all flattery. Flattery makes an appeal based on a false approach which encourages people to listen for the wrong reason.
4. (33:1-3a) Our words must be utterly sincere. Don’t be an actor or over accomplished in what you say – be yourself.
5. (33:3b) Be very clear. We want our message to be plain. Learn to explain things so your hearer can grasp them.
6. (33:4) He says, ‘I have been saved. My life has been changed.’ It is his testimony. Testimony will often come into witness. It is hard to do it when we have limited time, but a brief way of expressing it is valuable.
7. (33:5) I am not going to steamroller. I will discuss. I will be patient.
8. (33:6a) Elihu says to Job, You have asked God to speak; I have come in his stead with his words. We go as representatives of God. This is our authority (though humble and gentle). Don’t be too diffident. Don’t preface everything with ‘I think… I believe …’ This is the truth. No ifs or buts; we have every confidence in what we say.
9. (33:6b) Speak humbly; you also are dependent on light from heaven, on the forgiveness of God. Speak as a fellow sinner, a dying man to dying men. You are formed from clay.
10. (33:7) Sometimes you hear an aggressive street preacher. It is a style they have. It is a shame. We have good news; we have to reflect the heart of God. Not just attack and terrorise; be a person of sympathy.
11. (33:24) Whatever happens in any life, it is important there is a messenger to show the grace of God in the way of salvation. We should be aware of our privilege and responsibility. We must keep ourselves clean. Begin prayerfully, realising we are representing Christ.
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