A Fresh Voice
The entry of Elihu introduces a new dimension, so much so that many scholars have concluded that chapters 32-37 are by a different writer and an addition to the original text but that is no reason to ignore his contribution.
First, Elihu is an outsider from a different world. He is young, has heard it all before, has a low esteem of his elders, a clear picture of where he is and what he is, and not backward at coming forward. Possibly a more intelligent member of the younger generation who sees the weakness of the inherited traditions and believes he (and his) have something better to offer. A less charitable view might see him as a new arrival from a Sixth Form Comprehensive perking up in the Oxford Debating Society. Either way he is an outsider, with a distinctive style and language (more Aramaic).
Secondly, in terms of what he says there is little fresh. A bit like a student's essay on God's justice, goodness and majesty (ticking all the familiar boxes) versus the self-righteous superiority of Job and his friends. But, as often, what he says is of less importance than his presence. Whereas the friends lecture Job Elihu has a different approach. He goes out of his way to identify with Job (33:6) and calls him by his name. He also encounters Yahweh differently, referring to him as El (the shortened form of the divine name). By listening he has heard what Job is saying and when all the others have only confused things Elihu has seen and heard Yahweh speaking and can see possible openings (albeit tiny ones) to new truth, suggesting that Yahweh may encounter us in more ways than one, such as dreams, visions and unexpected moments of insight.
Thirdly, the immediate effect is not obvious. Elihu's disappearance is as mysterious as his arrival, but there are at least two results. One, by focusing on what Job is missing he has nudged open a new door. Two, when some of the sentiments of Elihu are echoed later in the Divine speech Job begins to hear and in the end finds satisfaction.