深陷沮喪的泥沼中，顯然沒有什麼方法可以解決約伯的困境，他已經不需要第四位「心理醫生」了，然而這位以利戶，他比以利法、比勒達和瑣法都年輕，在一旁靜聽他們傷害的（非安慰的）言談多時了，現在以利戶以四段冗長的獨白，對約伯的情況高談濶論起來，於是約伯再次聲明自己的無辜，但以利戶提醒他，上帝有時藉著苦難要人提高警覺，要把他從死亡之路上挽回來，他一再宣告上帝是完全公義的，並要約伯認自己驕傲和悖逆的罪。

        你是否注意到某些話幾乎每一個人都引用過，而相信的人卻不多？諸如：
        ● 打在兒身痛在娘心
        ● 施比受更有福。
        ● 外國的月亮比中國圓。（請誠實，不但比較圓，而且秀色可餐！）
        先看第一句話，當孩子受到處罰的時候，父母真的比孩子更難過嗎？當上帝必須把痛苦的結果加在祂犯錯的孩子身上，你可知祂極其苦惱憂傷？翻開約伯記三十三章最後二十節，再讀一次，然後用幾分鐘討論一下，「管教」在你兒女（或父母）生命中所扮演的角色：為什麼那麼重要？為什麼那麼痛苦？為什麼上帝有時要管教祂的孩子？

如何看待他的忠告？
        對於以利戶的言論有許多的詮釋，從幼稚自大的言論到誠實謙卑的智慧。然而上帝並沒有責備他像約伯其他三個朋友（42：7），或者上帝更了解他的年輕，同時他也彈出一些真理的樂音。

訓練一個孩子比為一個寵壞的青年哀哭的痛苦要少得多。

English

        Mired in depression and apparently no nearer to solving his problem, Job would hardly appear to need another "counselor." But Elihu, younger than Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, has been listening silently to their hurtful (rather than helpful) words. Now Elihu declares his evaluation of the situation in four lengthy monologues. Job has repeatedly affirmed his innocence, but Elihu reminds him that God sometimes uses adversity to get man's attention and turn him from the path of destruction. Elihu reaffirms God's perfect justice, and calls for Job to confess his sins of pride and rebellion.

        Have you ever noticed certain phrases nearly everyone seems to use, but no one seems to believe? Statements like . . .
        • This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you."
        • "It's more blessed to give than to receive."
        • The grass is always greener on the other side." (To be honest, not only is the grass not greener, it's not even edible!)
        Take the first statement. Does it really pain the parent more than it does the child when discipline is administered? Does God agonize when He must bring painful consequences upon His erring children? To find out, reread the last 20 verses of Job 33. Then spend a few minutes talking about the role of discipline in life with your children (or parents): why it is important, why it is painful, why God sometimes has to discipline His children.

How Should We Take His Advice?
        Many different interpretations have been proferred for Elihu's speeches, from childish pomposity to honest, humble wisdom. Whatever the case may be, we know that God did not rebuke Elihu as He did Job's other three friends (42:7). Perhaps God was more understanding of his youth but then again, he may have struck some chords of truth.

It is less painful to discipline a child than to weep over a spoiled youth.