Job
Chapter 32
ELIHU’S SPEECHES
Elihu’s First Speech
The three men did not respond further to Job because they believed he was in the right.
However, Elihu, son of Barachel the Buzite from the family of Ram, became angry with Job for justifying himself before God.
He was also upset with the three friends for failing to refute Job, as they had allowed God to be condemned.
Since they were older than he was, Elihu waited patiently;
but when the three gave up their argument, his anger finally erupted.
Therefore, Elihu, son of Barachel the Buzite, spoke: I am young and you are quite old; therefore I was timid and afraid and dared not tell you of what I know.
“Age should speak,” I thought; “advanced years should teach wisdom.”
But it is the spirit within man, the breath of the Almighty, that grants him understanding.
It is not the old alone who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right.
Therefore I said: Listen, let me also share my knowledge.
I waited for you to speak, listening for your reasons, as you searched for words.
I gave you my full attention, but none of you has proven Job wrong; no one has refuted his arguments.
Stop saying, “We have met wisdom; God has instructed us, not man.”
I will not continue your argument or respond to Job with your reasoning.
They stay silent because they are alarmed and have nothing more to say.
Must I wait now that they are silent, making no effort to reply?
I, too, will share my knowledge.
For I am full of words and prodded on by the spirit.
I am like bottled-up wine, or a wineskin bursting with wine.
I have to speak to find relief, open my lips and make a reply.
I will be partial to no one and will not flatter anyone.
For if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon do away with me.
Commentaries
Elihu’s Speeches.
Job ends his defense by asking for a response from God. What will happen now? When least expected, an intruder named Elihu appears. He is an angry young man who has apparently been listening to the debate and can no longer contain himself. Irritated by what he has just heard, he interjects himself into the matter (32:19). He does so with four speeches that, although they say nothing new, reveal his conviction, his passion, and his abundant verbiage.
Elihu’s First Speech.
Despite his youth, Elihu feels compelled to speak. Wisdom is not always—or necessarily—linked to age, because it is a gift of the Spirit or breath of God (32:8-18). Unlike Job’s friends, the young man calls Job by name (33:31). After a lengthy introduction (32:6b-33:7), he finally gets to the main point. Job has claimed his innocence, asserting that God is treating him like an enemy and ignoring his cries for help. But Job is wrong (33:12). God speaks; surely Job has not heard. And he says, whether through dreams and nightmares or through illness, to warn sinners and bring them back to the path of life (33:14-22). Elihu also mentions a heavenly mediator, a member of God’s court (33:23), who helps sinners repent. Job has earnestly desired a mediator (16:19-22), but surely, he expected something different from him.