Job 33:29

All these things, that is, including allowing men to suffer, God does often, for the purpose of saving men. Job's three friends had argued that suffering was. punishment for sins, while Elihu argues that suffering may be disciplinary, and so serve to prevent sin " (Jackson p. 71). "Elihu viewed suffering as protective, rather than retributive, as. means of keeping man from death rather than as. means of punishment leading him to death. To the three counselors, sickness was the punishment of. judge for sins committed; but for Elihu, illness was God's way of getting man's attention, reminding him of what is right, diverting him from sin" (Zuck p. 148).

Elihu is closer to the truth than the three friends, yet even he seems to see some sort of sin connected with suffering (Job 33:27). When God will speak to Job, He will not use an angel (38-41). Elihu is correct is touching upon the disciplinary or teaching nature of suffering and the fact that such is designed to humble men, for pride had become. problem for Job.