In that famous Bible book of Job, there is one character that I’ve always struggled with. The young man Elihu. He appears toward the end of the book, after all of Job’s comforters – Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar – have exhausted their theological energies jousting with Job, and have run out of puff. Then Elihu, after waiting patiently, impatiently takes the microphone. But how does he wax? Lyrically? Eloquently? Truthfully?

At first reading, Elihu seems to be simply repeating what the early speakers have said, which we, the reader, know is wrong, because we are told so at the end of the Book. The ‘three wise men’ have told Job repeatedly that he is suffering because of his sin. Elihu seems to take the same tack, but actually doesn’t: Job is not suffering because of his sin, but in his suffering is sinning. In other words, since his suffering began, Job is being excessive and indiscrete and impatient in voicing his grief.

If this is correct, it then becomes a lesson for all who suffer unjustly. (And anyone who lives the Christian life long enough will encounter such suffering, eg being maltreated for wrong reasons. It was the way of the Master, and his followers must expect no less.) But how a disciple endures such suffering matters. There is the temptation to feel entitled to grumble and mutter against God. Which Job did. Which Jesus didn’t. And which we who follow Christ must pray hard not to do.