Job 32 Elihu Responds to Job’s Friends
“Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence. Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that God was right in punishing him. He was also angry with Job’s three friends, for they made God appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments. Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older than he. But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily.
Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said, “I am young and you are old, so I held back from telling you what I think. I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.’ But there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent. Sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice.
So listen to me, and let me tell you what I think.”
“I have waited all this time, listening very carefully to your arguments, listening to you grope for words. I have listened, but not one of you has refuted Job or answered his arguments. And don’t tell me, ‘He is too wise for us. Only God can convince him.’”
“If Job had been arguing with me, I would not answer with your kind of logic! You sit there baffled, with nothing more to say. Should I continue to wait, now that you are silent? Must I also remain silent? No, I will say my piece. I will speak my mind. For I am full of pent-up words, and the spirit within me urges me on. I am like a cask of wine without a vent, like a new wineskin ready to burst! I must speak to find relief, so let me give my answers. I won’t play favorites or try to flatter anyone. For if I tried flattery, my Creator would soon destroy me.”
At this point, Job is probably tearing out what little hair he has left! Job has endured insults and accusations from Zophar, Eliphaz, and Bildad. Now Elihu, the youngest in the group, insists on weighing in. Elihu’s excuse? He feels “impelled” to speak out because he is certain that he can confound Job, even though his elders have failed.
There is a saying “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” Obviously, Elihu is certain that this saying cannot possibly apply to him. There’s no arrogance in Elihu’s family; he got it all. And Elihu has no acquaintance with brevity, for he will continue to rant for a total of 5 chapters.
Why study Elihu’s speeches? Unfortunately, the temptation is always there to behave like Elihu. Many of us LONG to give advice and wait impatiently while others are talking. You almost have the feeling that Elihu has been sitting there jiggling his leg nervously as he waits his turn to dump his opinions on Job.
As we study Elihu’s speeches through the next four chapters, notice that individually, much of what Elihu says is quite acceptable. But the problem is that Job has already endured quite enough. Elihu has no compassion for Job but is only interested in making speeches. May God help us, so that we will NOT behave like Elihu!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to be sensitive to those around us so that we will not cause more suffering by inflicting our opinions on others. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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