Job chapter 32

Elihu the son of Barachel speaks up. He is livid with Job’s three friends. He berates them because they had found no way to condemn Job.

 


 

ELIHU SCOLDS JOB’S THREE FRIENDS

 

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

these three men ceased to answer Job. Finally!

 

VERSE 2. Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.

Elihu the son of Barachel. Presumably he had been there all along.

he justified himself rather than God. This is not true. Job’s friends had (wrongly) said he suffered because he had sinned. And Job was not able to recollect any such sin.

 

VERSE 3. Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

his wrath was kindled. Elihu is livid with Job’s three friends.

they had found no answer. Elihu is eager to condemn. If no one else can get the condemning done, he is thrilled to do it himself.

 

VERSE 4. Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were elder than he.

 

VERSE 5. When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.

 

VERSE 6. Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, “I am young, and you are very old; Therefore I held back, and didn’t dare show you my opinion.

 

VERSE 7. I said, ‘Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’

 

VERSE 8. But there is a spirit in man, and the Spirit of the Almighty gives them understanding.

the Spirit. Or “breath.”

 

VERSE 9. It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.

 

VERSE 10. Therefore I said, ‘Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.’

 

VERSE 11. “Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.

 

VERSE 12. Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, among you.

 

VERSE 13. Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom, God may refute him, not man;’

 

VERSE 14. for he has not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.

 

VERSE 15. “They are amazed. They answer no more. They don’t have a word to say.

 

VERSE 16. Shall I wait, because they don’t speak, because they stand still, and answer no more?

 

VERSE 17. I also will answer my part, and I also will show my opinion.

 

VERSE 18. For I am full of words. The spirit within me constrains me.

I am full of words. Elihu could not wait any longer. He had to get his words out.

 

VERSE 19. Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent; like new wineskins it is ready to burst.

wine which has no vent. Elihu is very eager to condemn.

He is like a new wineskin with wine under pressure, his chest is ready to burst open.

Many people are eager to speak negative things. There is a superfluity of negativity in our world.

 

VERSE 20. I will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.

 

VERSE 21. Please don’t let me respect any man’s person, neither will I give flattering titles to any man.

 

VERSE 22. For I don’t know how to give flattering titles; or else my Maker would soon take me away.

 


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JOB

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RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, MemorizeJob’s Dark Night

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