Job 32

1 These three men stopped answering Job because Job thought he was righteous.

2 Then Elihu, son of Barachel, a descendant of Buz from the family of Ram, became very angry with Job because Job thought he was more righteous than God.

3 Elihu was also very angry with Job's three friends because they had found no answer. They made it look as if God were wrong.

4 Elihu waited as they spoke to Job because they were older than he was.

5 When Elihu saw that the three men had no further responses, he became very angry.

6 So Elihu, son of Barachel, the descendant of Buz, replied [to Job], "I am young, and you are old. That's why I refrained from speaking and was afraid to tell you what I know.

7 I thought, 'Age should speak, and experience should teach wisdom.'

8 However, there is in humans a Spirit, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.

9 People do not become wise merely because they live long. They don't understand what justice is merely because they're old.

10 "That is why I say, 'Listen to me! Let me tell you what I know.'

11 I waited for you to speak. I listened for you to share your understanding until you could find the right words.

12 I've paid close attention to you, but none of you refuted Job. None of you has an answer to what he says.

13 So don't say, 'We've found wisdom. Let God, not humans, defeat him.'

14 Job did not choose his words to refute me, so I won't answer him with your speeches.

15 "Job's friends have been overwhelmed and don't have any more answers. They don't have another word to say.

16 Should I wait because they don't speak, because they stand there and don't have any more answers?

17 "I'll give my answer. I'll tell you what I know.

18 I'm full of words. The Spirit within me forces me [to speak].

19 My belly is like [a bottle of] wine that has not been opened, like new wineskins that are ready to burst.

20 I must speak to get relief. I must open my mouth and answer.

21 I won't be partial toward anyone or flatter anyone.

22 I don't know how to flatter. If I did, my maker would soon carry me away.

Job 32 Commentary

Chapter 32

Elihu is displeased at the dispute between Job and his friends. (1-5) He reproves them. (6-14) He speaks without partiality. (15-22)

Verses 1-5 Job's friends were silenced, but not convinced. Others had been present. Elihu was justly displeased with Job, as more anxious to clear his own character than the justice and goodness of God. Elihu was displeased with Job's friends because they had not been candid to Job. Seldom is a quarrel begun, more seldom is a quarrel carried on, in which there are not faults on both sides. Those that seek for truth, must not reject what is true and good on either side, nor approve or defend what is wrong.

Verses 6-14 Elihu professes to speak by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and corrects both parties. He allowed that those who had the longest experience should speak first. But God gives wisdom as he pleases; this encouraged him to state his opinion. By attention to the word of God, and dependence upon the Holy Spirit, young men may become wiser than the aged; but this wisdom will render them swift to hear, slow to speak, and disposed to give others a patient hearing.

Verses 15-22 If we are sure that the Spirit of God suggested what we are about to say, still we ought to refrain, till it comes to our turn to speak. God is the God of order, not of confusion. It is great refreshment to a good man, to speak for the glory of the Lord, and to edify others. And the more we consider the majesty of God, as our Maker, and the more we dread his wrath and justice, the less shall we sinfully fear or flatter men. Could we set the wrath Lord always before us, in his mercies and his terrors, we should not be moved from doing our duty in whatever we are called to do.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 32

Job's three friends being silenced, and having no more to say in reply to him, Elihu, of whose descent some account is given, a bystander and hearer of the whole dispute between them, rises up as a moderator, and expresses some anger both against them and Job, Job 32:1-5; he makes an apology for engaging in this controversy, by reason of his youth, and they being advanced in years, Job 32:6,7; but since there is a spirit in man, that gives understanding to men of every age, and old men are not always wise, he desires they would hearken to him while he delivered his sentiments on the subject in debate, Job 32:8-10; and hopes to be heard patiently, since he had waited until they had said all they had to say, and had closely attended to it, and which fell short of convincing Job; and this he was obliged to say, lest they should be wise in their own conceit, and attribute that to men which belongs to God, Job 32:11-13; he proposes to take a new method with Job, different from theirs; and now they hearing all this from a young man, they were filled with amazement, and struck with silence; and after he had waited a while to observe whether they would say anything or not, he determined to take his turn, and show his opinion also, Job 32:14-17; and the rather because he was full of arguments, he was desirous to propose them, and was uneasy until he had brought them out; and which he was resolved to do with all impartiality and integrity, Job 32:18-22.