Job 32 Wisdom doesn't always come with age.

Elihu is angered by Job's "friends"

Job 32  

FRIDAY  Reflections

We are introduced here to a bystander which we didn’t even know was there, Elihu. Elihu is a young man and understanding this, he lets the elders speak first. The problem from his perspective is that Job’s friends haven’t answered any of Job’s questions. He sees that all they have done is accuse Job without proof. He isn’t happy with Job either, because as far as he is concerned all Job has done is justify himself rather than admit God might be right.

What grabs me is though Elihu knows that wisdom often is in those who have lived life, he says it isn’t always the case. I like the way the King James version says it, “Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment” (verse 9).

Most of the time wisdom does come with age, but we need to remember the words of Peter on the day of Pentecost: “This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams” (Acts 2:16-17). God uses young as well as the experienced.

Job 32:1-22
(1)  So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
(2)  Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
(3)  Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
(4)  Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.
(5)  When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
(6)  And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.
(7)  I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
(8)  But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
(9)  Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
(10)  Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.
(11)  Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.
(12)  Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:
(13)  Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.
(14)  Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.
(15)  They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.
(16)  When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
(17)  I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.
(18)  For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
(19)  Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.
(20)  I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
(21)  Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.
(22)  For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.

Photo by Ahmed Carter on Unsplash