Job 32

1 Y cesaron estos tres varones de responder a Job, por cuanto él era justo en sus ojos

2 Entonces Eliú hijo de Baraquel, buzita, de la familia de Ram, se enojó con furor contra Job; se enojó con furor, por cuanto se justificaba a sí mismo más que a Dios

3 Se enojó asimismo con furor contra sus tres amigos, por cuanto no hallaban qué responder, habiendo condenado a Job

4 Y Eliú había esperado a Job en la disputa, porque todos eran más viejos de días que él

5 Pero viendo Eliú que no había respuesta en la boca de aquellos tres varones, su furor se encendió

6 Y respondió Eliú hijo de Baraquel, buzita, y dijo: Yo soy menor de días y vosotros viejos; por tanto he tenido miedo, y he temido de declararos mi opinión

7 Yo decía: Los días hablarán, y la muchedumbre de años declarará sabiduría

8 Ciertamente espíritu hay en el hombre, e inspiración del Omnipotente los hace que entiendan

9 No siempre los grandes son los sabios, ni los viejos entienden el derecho

10 Por tanto yo dije: Escuchadme; declararé yo también mi conocimiento

11 He aquí yo he esperado a vuestras palabras, he escuchado vuestros argumentos, entre tanto que buscábais palabras

12 Y aun os he considerado, y he aquí que no hay de vosotros quien redarguya a Job, y responda a sus razones

13 Para que no digáis: Nosotros hemos hallado sabiduría; que conviene que Dios lo derribe, y no el hombre

14 Ahora bien, él no dirigió a mí sus palabras, ni yo le responderé con vuestras razones

15 Se espantaron, no respondieron más; se les fueron las palabras

16 Y yo esperé, porque no hablaban, antes pararon, y no respondieron más

17 Por eso yo también responderé mi parte, también yo declararé mi opinión

18 Porque lleno estoy de palabras, y el espíritu de mi vientre me constriñe

19 De cierto mi vientre está como el vino que no tiene respiradero, y está que se brote como licor. {Heb. espíritus

20 Hablaré pues y respiraré; abriré mis labios, y responderé

21 No haré ahora acepción de personas, ni usaré con títulos lisonjeros con el hombre

22 Porque no sé hablar lisonjas; de otra manera en breve mi Hacedor me consuma

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.