Elihu, a character in the Book of Job, emerges in the narrative as a young man who has been listening to the discourse between Job and his three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. His anger and motivation are pivotal in understanding his role and the message he conveys.

Anger of Elihu

Elihu's anger is directed towards both Job and his three friends. In Job 32:2-3 , it is written: "Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job for justifying himself rather than God, and he burned with anger at Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute Job, and yet had condemned him." Elihu's anger towards Job stems from Job's insistence on his own righteousness, which Elihu perceives as Job justifying himself instead of God. Elihu believes that Job's self-vindication borders on impiety, as it seems to challenge the justice and righteousness of God.

Elihu's anger towards the three friends is due to their inability to provide a satisfactory answer to Job's complaints. Despite their attempts to accuse Job of wrongdoing, they fail to offer a convincing argument that aligns with the divine justice they claim to defend. Elihu sees their failure as a disservice to the truth and to Job himself, as they have not succeeded in leading Job to repentance or understanding.

Motivation of Elihu

Elihu's motivation is rooted in his desire to defend God's righteousness and to offer a perspective that he believes has been overlooked by the others. In Job 32:6-10 , Elihu expresses his motivation: "So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite declared: 'I am young in years, while you are old; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you. I thought that age should speak, and many years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice. Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’"

Elihu's motivation is not merely to criticize but to offer a fresh perspective inspired by the "breath of the Almighty." He believes that wisdom is not confined to age and that God can impart understanding to anyone, regardless of their youth. Elihu seeks to articulate a defense of God's justice and to correct what he perceives as Job's misunderstanding of God's ways.

Elihu's speeches (Job 32-37) emphasize God's greatness, justice, and the inscrutability of His ways. He argues that suffering can serve as a means of divine instruction and correction, rather than merely a punishment for sin. Elihu's motivation is to redirect the focus from human wisdom and justification to the sovereignty and righteousness of God, urging Job to consider the possibility of divine purposes beyond human comprehension.

In summary, Elihu's anger and motivation are driven by a zeal for God's honor and a conviction that both Job and his friends have failed to adequately represent the divine perspective. His speeches serve as a prelude to God's own response, highlighting the limitations of human understanding and the necessity of humility before the Almighty.