Job
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Job 32
Job 32
1So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
1So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
Commentary · verse 1
2Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
2Then 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.
Commentary · verse 2
First of all, Elihu was the son of Barachel the Buzite. Was there any previous mention of either of these people in the Old Testament? Would the mention(s) be linked to the time after Abraham? We saw the following in Genesis 22:19-21 -
"19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beer-sheba. And Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba.
20 And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she also hath borne children unto thy brother Nahor.
21 Uz his first-born, and Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father of Aram."
Elihu was a descendent of Abraham's brother!
Elihu was upset because Job was justifying himself rather than God. The previous chapter showed how Job even considered he was justifying himself. However, did he ever try to justify God?
3Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
3Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
Commentary · verse 3
Elihu was upset with the three "friends" because they blamed Job for effects without knowing the cause. They abused Causality.
4Now Elihu had waited to speak unto Job, because they were elder than he.
5And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.
4Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.
5When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
Commentary · verses 4-5
Elihu was present the entire time. He was being respectful by allowing the three "friends" and Job to speak before he did because they were older. So far, we see Elihu was able to perform this "autopsy" because he witnessed all the events. Second, we see Elihu correctly recognized Job did not try to justify God and the three "comforters" judged Job without causes. Elihu had already used contrastive thinking and causality and he had not begun to speak yet.
6And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; Wherefore I held back, and durst not show you mine opinion.
7I said, Days should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.
8But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
9It is not the great that are wise, Nor the aged that understand justice.
6And 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.
7I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
8But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
9Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
Commentary · verses 6-9
Elihu was contrastive because he stated that he would be giving them his opinion. Also, Elihu was humble because he gave God the credit for his words. Was Elihu speaking for God?
10Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show mine opinion.
11Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your reasonings, Whilst ye searched out what to say.
12Yea, I attended unto you, And, behold, there was none that convinced Job, Or that answered his words, among you.
13Beware lest ye say, We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not man:
10Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.
11Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.
12Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:
13Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.
Commentary · verses 10-13
Elihu was explaining WHY it was right and just for him to speak now.
14For he hath not directed his words against me; Neither will I answer him with your speeches.
15They are amazed, they answer no more: They have not a word to say.
16And shall I wait, because they speak not, Because they stand still, and answer no more?
17I also will answer my part, I also will show mine opinion.
18For I am full of words; The spirit within me constraineth me.
19Behold, my breast is as wine which hath no vent; Like new wine-skins it is ready to burst.
14Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.
15They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.
16When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
17I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.
18For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
19Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.
Commentary · verses 14-19
Matthew 9:17 - "Neither do men put new wine into old wine-skins: else the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins perish: but they put new wine into fresh wine-skins, and both are preserved."
Jesus spoke these words. This was Jesus' response to the Pharisees who questioned Jesus WHY His Disciples did not fast. Was Jesus quoting Elihu?
20I will speak, that I may be refreshed; I will open my lips and answer.
21Let me not, I pray you, respect any man’s person; Neither will I give flattering titles unto any man.
22For I know not to give flattering titles; Else would my Maker soon take me away.
20I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
21Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.
22For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.
Commentary · verses 20-22
Elihu did not care about titles because he knew that God did not care about titles. Elihu referenced Justice, he knew God would punish him if his words were not right and just.
Commentary · verse 22
This chapter presented the first part of Elihu's response. Elihu was angry because:
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Job had justified himself instead of justifying God, and
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Job's three friends condemned Job without objectively stating Job's sin.
The three friends also had decided to not speak any more as well. The classic story telling structure that was mastered by the Book of Esther had been completed, however, the Book of Job was different: there was more to the story.
Without Job or the three friends speaking, only the following three events could have happened next:
God could have spoken,
Another person could have spoken,
Nothing...the three friends wait for Job to die as nothing changes.
What ended up happening was #2: another person spoke. His name was Elihu and he was possibly the most misunderstood person in the Bible. Some people think he was the devil. Some people think he was comic relief. I happen to believe he was the rare example of a person with a perfect thought process, however, you decide. What followed was actually "an autopsy"! Elihu would explain what had happened, and WHY!