(18) He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. (19) В¶ He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: (20) So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. (21) His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. (22) Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. (23) If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: (24) Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. (25) His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: (26) He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness. (27) He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; (28) He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. (29) В¶ Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, (30) To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. (31) Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak. (32) If thou hast anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee. (33) If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
Elihu here describes another plan by which the LORD graciously works. He had before said, that GOD spake once, yea twice, and men perceived it not. And here be shows, that when neither visions, nor the instructions from the ministry of his word, prove effectual to awaken the senseless and unthinking sinner, the LORD goes on in his gracious work of mercy, to bring him to his better senses by another process of love. He lays the unthinking creature down upon a bed of sickness; visits him with pains, wakeful nights, wearisome days, such as Job had before complained of (chap. 7:3.); rouseth him to a sense of inquiry; puts a cry in his heart, Wherefore is this evil come upon me? What have I done to deserve it? and the like. And if when solemn questions of this nature arise in the mind, the LORD sends to him an interpreter, one among a thousand, to unfold to him the gracious design of GOD, and to point to him JESUS for salvation, then the whole process of divine love is unfolded: GOD'S mercy in the affliction, the sinner's profit under it, and the glory of JESUS in redeeming him; all appear glorious to his view; and his ravished soul hears the sweet voice of pardon speaking concerning him: Deliver him from going down to the pit, saith the LORD, I have found a ransom. Reader, what knowest thou of this Interpreter from GOD, One among a thousand? JESUS, surely, by his HOLY SPIRIT, is the One, the only One: and, as he himself hath said, and all his people know, everyone that hath heard, and hath learned of the FATHER, cometh unto him, for so it is said in the prophets. John 6:45; Isaiah 54:13.