Suffering is an integral part of our lives as human beings. Interpreting suffering thus becomes the hallmark of human civilization itself. Various viewpoints and faith beliefs are born when interpreting suffering. Elihu's opinion in this text represents one of those viewpoints.
In this reading, Elihu invites us to see suffering from a different perspective, not as a sign of God's wrath, but as part of the process of spiritual education, or what in Hebrew is called musar (מוּסָר), divine discipline. Elihu offers a heuristic framework of suffering as a means of learning and revelation. God does not turn a blind eye to the righteous. Rather, He cares for them, even when they are in suffering. In Elihu's view, suffering is not a final verdict, but a means that God uses to shape, direct and deepen people's faith. Those who hear God's rebuke will enjoy restoration and abundance, but those who close their hearts will end up in destruction. This emphasizes that suffering can be a medium of divine communication, a form of musar that invites us to open our spiritual ears & not just wait for answers, but learn to hear and understand God's intentions.
However, Elihu also gives a warning. In verses 13 & 15, he addresses those who reject divine discipline, whose hearts grow hard and instead accuse God of unfairness. Job himself, according to Elihu, was at a critical point, would he listen in his suffering or sue God in spiritual pride? He continued, restoration would only come if Job was willing to accept the process of discipline, not fight it or try to make up for it with power and possessions. This is a call to submit ourselves to the divine process which, while uncomfortable, is His loving means to bring us closer to Him.
Friends of the Bible, suffering is not always easy to understand. There are mysteries that can only be responded to with faith and perseverance in silence. Therefore, in the midst of the suffering we experience, whether as a result of our mistakes, or as part of the mystery of life that cannot be fully explained, let us open our hearts to be educated by God. Learn to surrender when things are not as expected, be patient when prayers have not been answered, and be faithful to do good even when no one sees it. It is a form of faith response to the divine musar or discipline that is shaping our character.
