The figure of Elihu appears in the book of Job. He is considered by some to be the author of the book. His message is considered to answer doubts about the love and mercy of God. He rejects the notion that all suffering is a punishment from God but says suffering works well as a protection against bigger or prolonged sin. In other words, it helps keep one in check and that is why God may send it. I would argue that it makes no sense to be offended at suffering being suggested to be a punishment and then offer that in its place! It is still saying you deserve it just not as in punishment. And it can be both reformatory and retributive at the same time.
I would add that there is a difference between God commenting on somebody's suffering and on some person doing it for him. If God is right to allow suffering to happen he has to tell us and not use intermediaries to do it. It is terrible for a human being to tell us even something like that he has a plan. It is too serious for that and you need to be sure that what you hope is the word of God is not the word of man.
Elihu validates dreams and revelations from God. The New Testament agrees for it has Joseph getting apparitions and revelations in dreams.
Christianity does not like the notion that all men and women are prophets but who miss all the revelations. God is one impotent teacher if people get his messages and are not impressed.
I would suggest that the real background of Abrahamic religion is Spiritualism. The Spiritualists slammed by Moses and others did not report the psychic powers like telepathy and clairvoyance you have today. No. They mainly interpreted dreams and signs and omens as communication with the dead or with divine beings such as God.
Job may precede the Law of Moses which was codified and passed off as an older document around 500 BCE. It is a good guide as to how prophets got the word of the Lord. They were notoriously silent or vague on that for the most part.
I would add that the Torah endorses the use of divination in the form of the Urim and Thummim. These are thought to be stones thrown so see what order they would go into in order to work out omens and the divine will.
Don’t make out that Elihu is just giving an opinion. The text shows that he gave allegedly revealed doctrine. He implies it was revealed to him from on high.
33 ‘But now, hear my speech, O Job, and listen to all my words.
2 See, I open my mouth; the tongue in my mouth speaks.
3 My words declare the uprightness of my heart, and what my lips know they speak sincerely.
[Speaking by oath that God has authorised him]
4 The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5 Answer me, if you can; Set your words in order before me; take your stand.
6 See, before God I am as you are; I too was formed from a piece of clay.
7 No fear of me need terrify you; my pressure will not be heavy on you.
8 ‘Surely, you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the sound of your words.
9 You say, “I am clean, without transgression; I am pure, and there is no iniquity in me.
10 Look, he finds occasions against me, he counts me as his enemy;
11 he puts my feet in the stocks, and watches all my paths.”
12 ‘But in this you are not right. I will answer you: God is greater than any mortal.
13 Why do you contend against him, saying, “He will answer none of my words”?
14 For God speaks in one way, and in two, though people do not perceive it.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on mortals, while they slumber on their beds,
16 then he opens their ears, and terrifies them with warnings,
17 that he may turn them aside from their deeds, and keep them from pride,
18 to spare their souls from the Pit, their lives from traversing the River.
19 They are also chastened with pain upon their beds, and with continual strife in their bones,
20 so that their lives loathe bread, and their appetites dainty food.
21 Their flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen; and their bones, once invisible, now stick out.
22 Their souls draw near the Pit, and their lives to those who bring death.
23 Then, if there should be for one of them an angel, a mediator, one of a thousand, one who declares a person upright,
24 and he is gracious to that person, and says, “Deliver him from going down into the Pit; I have found a ransom;
25 let his flesh become fresh with youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigour”;
26 then he prays to God, and is accepted by him, he comes into his presence with joy, and God repays him for his righteousness.
27 That person sings to others and says, “I sinned, and perverted what was right, and it was not paid back to me.
28 He has redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit, and my life shall see the light.”
29 ‘God indeed does all these things, twice, three times, with mortals,
30 to bring back their souls from the Pit, so that they may see the light of life.
31 Pay heed, Job, listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.
32 If you have anything to say, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you.
33 If not, listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.’
This text could read as a prophecy of Jesus' resurrection. It has as much right as some of the other texts Christians use. But they dismiss the thought for it refers to the rescued one as a sinner.