Job 32
Job 32 marks a shift in the dialogue, as Elihu, a younger man who has been listening to the debate between Job and his three friends, becomes angry and speaks out. He is upset that Job’s friends failed to refute Job and that Job justified himself rather than God. Elihu believes he has wisdom from God to contribute to the conversation, offering a new perspective on suffering and divine justice.
Job 32:1-5 (NKJV)
1 So these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2 Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God.
3 Also against his three friends his wrath was aroused, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
4 Now because they were years older than he, Elihu had waited to speak to Job.
5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was aroused.
The three friends stop speaking because they see Job as self-righteous, but Elihu becomes frustrated. He is angry with Job for justifying himself instead of God, and also with the friends for failing to provide a valid response to Job’s arguments while still condemning him. Elihu, though younger, has waited out of respect, but now he feels compelled to speak due to their failure to resolve the matter.
Job 32:6-9 (NKJV)
6 So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said:
“I am young in years, and you are very old;
Therefore I was afraid,
And dared not declare my opinion to you.
7 I said, ‘Age should speak,
And multitude of years should teach wisdom.’
8 But there is a spirit in man,
And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.
9 Great men are not always wise,
Nor do the aged always understand justice."
Elihu begins by acknowledging his youth and his initial hesitancy to speak in the presence of older men. He had assumed that wisdom comes with age, but he now realizes that true understanding comes from God, who gives insight to all people, regardless of age. Elihu points out that the older men are not necessarily wiser just because of their age, and sometimes even the experienced fail to grasp justice.
Job 32:10-14 (NKJV)
10 “Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me,
I also will declare my opinion.’
11 Indeed I waited for your words,
I listened to your reasonings,
While you searched out what to say.
12 I paid close attention to you;
And surely not one of you convinced Job,
Or answered his words—
13 Lest you say,
‘We have found wisdom’;
God will vanquish him, not man.
14 Now he has not directed his words against me;
So I will not answer him with your words."
Elihu emphasizes that he has been patient, listening carefully to their arguments, hoping they would provide some valid response to Job. However, none of them has succeeded in refuting Job’s points or in offering wisdom. Elihu states that since Job has not challenged him directly, he will present his own perspective without relying on the previous arguments of Job’s friends.
Job 32:15-17 (NKJV)
15 “They are dismayed and answer no more;
Words escape them.
16 And I have waited, because they did not speak,
Because they stood still and answered no more.
17 I also will answer my part,
I too will declare my opinion."
Elihu points out that the three friends have become silent, unable to provide further responses to Job. He has waited, observing their inability to continue the conversation, and now feels it is his turn to share his thoughts, offering what he believes is the right perspective on the situation.
Job 32:18-22 (NKJV)
18 For I am full of words;
The spirit within me compels me.
19 Indeed my belly is like wine that has no vent;
It is ready to burst like new wineskins.
20 I will speak, that I may find relief;
I must open my lips and answer.
21 Let me not, I pray, show partiality to anyone;
Nor let me flatter any man.
22 For I do not know how to flatter,
Else my Maker would soon take me away.
Elihu feels a strong internal pressure to speak, describing his words as pent-up like wine fermenting without an outlet. He must express his thoughts in order to find relief. He emphasizes that he will not show favoritism or flatter anyone in his speech because he fears God and wants to speak truthfully. Elihu desires to maintain his integrity before God rather than seek approval from people.