Job

Job Chapter 32

Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends

Job 32:1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

The three visitors of Job, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar ended their discourse. They were tired of Job's words thinking he was self righteous. They decided to stop speaking.

Job 32:2 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.

Elihu was a descendant of Buz, one of the sons of Nahor. Nahor was the brother of Abraham. He had not spoken before because he respected his elders but now he can't hold back his opinion and lets loose with his words.

Job 32:6 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.

He believes that God gives understanding to the spirit in man meaning mankind not just male. In the book of James it does say that if any man lacks wisdom he is to ask of God in faith that God will answer. True wisdom and does indeed come of our almighty God, our creator and our savior.

Job 32:9 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.

This young man was angry at all of them. I guess he didn't agree or like what any of them had to say so he had the courage to speak up. He did not believe that because they were great and older that they answered right. He didn't seem all that impressed with Job's answers either.

Job 32:12 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.

Elihu seems to disagree with the others that God had thrust Job down. He was right in saying that only God can show Job what was true and why these things happened to him. Looks like they would all start seeking God on Job's behalf and try to enlist God's help in this matter. Perhaps this is what Elihu is saying here.

Job 32:15 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.

Apparently Elihu felt ready to burst if he didn't speak up and give his own opinion. No one was getting anywhere and they kept repeating the same accusations and did not convince Job of anything he did was wrong. Their arguments were repetitive and weak. Elihu felt he could do a better Job of figuing this out.

Job 32:21 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.

He was not about to use flattery and he seems to believe God would not approve of such.

Proberbs 27:5 Open rebuke is better than secret love.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Although this is true that to correct and rebuke is better than flattery and pretending to agree with everyone, but in Job's case the rebuke was cruel because he was not guilty of what they accused. The accusations of the other three were just assumptions according to man's wisdom.

Although flattery is considered deceitful and none are guilty of that but the rebuke and words of Job's three visitors were not correctly applied. Elihu continues to speak in the next 5 chapters. Chapter 38 is where our Lord speaks and that is what counts in all this. Oh if we would only seek to hear from God. DC

Job Chapter 33