(6) Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay. (7) Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
Here again Elihu subjoins another motive for Job's attention. Job had desired a mediator; and in Elihu he had such an one as could call forth no fear, being of the same human form as himself. But Reader, ought we not to lose sight of Job, and all his personal afflictions, that we may the better and more fully discover the outlines of that precious JESUS, whose gracious office is here so beautifully drawn. Can we behold Elihu coming forth to arbitrate the cause of Job and his friends; and shall we forget Him who came forth to make up the deadly breach of sin, when our whole nature was reduced, and sunk down to infinitely greater misery than Job was, with all his sores, and all his sorrows, both of mind and body? Can we read what Elihu saith of the SPIRIT of GOD, and the breath of the Almighty, and not call to mind how the Lord JEHOVAH anointed the LORD JESUS to preach the gospel to the poor, and gave him the SPIRIT without measure? Can we behold Elihu telling Job, that he was come a day's man according to his wish, and so come, that his terror, being his equal, could not make him afraid; and are we not irresistibly led in thought and mind immediately to call to our remembrance, the ever blessed, ever gracious JESUS, who at the call of GOD his FATHER, came forth, and stood up our glorious Mediator, in our nature, united to the GODHEAD, that in him we might again return to the LORD, from whom, by sin and rebellion, we had parted; and never should have seen his face-never could have approached him, had not the Son of GOD opened a way by his blood, who also ever liveth to keep it open, for our approaching to GOD here by grace, and hereafter in glory? Oh! who can read this passage concerning Elihu, and view him in the endearing character here represented, and not feel his whole soul going forth in the rapturous contemplation of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, as our all-prevailing Mediator! Hail thou holy, blessed, precious JESUS! Thou art indeed that One, that only One, to mediate between an offended GOD and wretched sinners; and thou hast made our peace in the blood of thy cross.