Elihu is Upset With Job’s Friends
October 27, 2019
Commentary
Elihu was polite in his waiting, and kind in his speaking, but he was an angry young man (vv. 1-5). He was angry with the three friends for failing to convince Job of his sins, and for Job justifying himself rather than God. He agreed with the friends that Job was a sinner, but he disagreed with their arguments. As the youngest man in the group, Elihu knew his place, but he still displayed some pride. He felt that the discussion needed his opinion (vv. 6, 10 & 17) because everybody else was wrong. He was bursting with words (vv. 18-20) and could not hold them in.
Elihu gave a speech that was six chapters in length, in which he explained the character of God and applied this to Job’s situation. He said some of the same things as the other speakers, but his purpose was different from theirs. He was not trying to prove that Job was a sinner, but that Job’s view of God was wrong. In doing so, he introduced the thought that God sends suffering, not necessarily to punish us for our sins, but to keep us from sinning (Job. 33:18-24). Warren Wiersbe in his book Be Patient lists four reasons why Elihu feels it is important for him to speak and for them to listen.
He was indignant (vv. 1-3, 5). – Four times in these verses we are told that Elihu was angry.He was inspired (vv. 8-10). – He claimed to have the insight of the Spirit of God.He was impartial (vv. 14, 21-22). He may have been impartial, but he wasn’t neutral.He was impelled (vv. 16-20). He felt that he had a mandate from God to tell what he knew.
Application
Jobs friends had no answer so Eliu breaks into the conversation. He speaks because he is angry. He is angry because Job is spending his time justifying himself rather than God. He is also angry because Job’s friends have spent their time condemning Job but not giving him any real answers. I must be careful to exercise self-control when my speech is motivated by self-righteous anger.
Job 32:1– 22 (NET)
1 So these three men refused to answer Job further, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry. He was angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. 3 With Job’s three friends he was also angry, because they could not find an answer, and so declared Job guilty. 4 Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job, because the others were older than he was. 5 But when Elihu saw that the three men had no further reply, he became very angry.
6 So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up: “I am young, but you are elderly; that is why I was fearful, and afraid to explain to you what I know.
7 I said to myself, ‘Age should speak, and length of years should make wisdom known.’
8 But it is a spirit in people, the breath of the Almighty, that makes them understand.
9 It is not the aged who are wise, nor old men who understand what is right.
10 Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me. I, even I, will explain what I know.’
11 Look, I waited for you to speak; I listened closely to your wise thoughts, while you were searching for words.
12 Now I was paying you close attention, yet there was no one proving Job wrong, not one of you was answering his statements.
13 So do not say, ‘We have found wisdom. God will refute him, not man.’
14 Job has not directed his words to me, and so I will not reply to him with your arguments.
15 “They are dismayed and cannot answer anymore; they have nothing left to say.
16 And I have waited. But because they do not speak, because they stand there and answer no more,
17 I too will answer my part, I too will explain what I know.
18 For I am full of words, and the spirit within me constrains me.
19 Inside I am like wine that has no outlet, like new wineskins ready to burst!
20 I will speak, so that I may find relief; I will open my lips, so that I may answer.
21 I will not show partiality to any person, nor will I confer a title on anyone.
22 For I do not know how to give honorary titles, if I did, my Creator would quickly do away with me.
Illustration: Lincoln Tells His Secretary of War How to Handle Anger
Abraham Lincoln’s secretary of war, Edwin Stanton, was angered by an army officer who accused him of favoritism. Stanton complained to Lincoln, who suggested that Stanton write the officer a sharp letter. Stanton did, and showed the strongly worded missive to the president. “What are you going to do with it?” Lincoln inquired. Surprised, Stanton replied, “Send it.” Lincoln shook his head. “You don’t want to send that letter,” he said. “Put it in the stove. That’s what I do when I have written a letter while I am angry. It’s a good letter and you had a good time writing it, and feel better. Now burn it, and write another.” (Today in the Word, February, 1991, p. 9).