"Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence.
2 Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that God was right in punishing him. 3 He was also angry with Job’s three friends, for they made God appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments. 4 Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily. 6 Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said,
“I am young and you are old,
so I held back from telling you what I think."
And here we finally hear from the 'other' friend. I wonder if Job felt a small personal victory when his other friends decided not to respond any more, but then quickly became disappointed because this other friend then took the opportunity to speak up. Not only that, but this friend is angry at literally everyone else in this conversation, haha.
Verses 7-10:
for wisdom comes with age.’
8 But there is a spirit within people,
the breath of the Almighty within them,
that makes them intelligent.
9 Sometimes the elders are not wise.
Sometimes the aged do not understand justice.
10 So listen to me,
and let me tell you what I think."
I agree to an extent with Elihu's statement here. There have been MANY people who I have met and who are older than I am who don't seem to have much more wisdom than even I do. Yet at the same time on the other end of the spectrum, I've met people older than me who are much smarter than me! It's super frustrating when you're in a situation where you are supposed to listen/learn from someone who belongs in the first category.
Verses 11-22:
listening very carefully to your arguments,
listening to you grope for words.
12 I have listened,
but not one of you has refuted Job
or answered his arguments.
13 And don’t tell me, ‘He is too wise for us.
Only God can convince him.’
14 If Job had been arguing with me,
I would not answer with your kind of logic!
15 You sit there baffled,
with nothing more to say.
16 Should I continue to wait, now that you are silent?
Must I also remain silent?
17 No, I will say my piece.
I will speak my mind.
18 For I am full of pent-up words,
and the spirit within me urges me on.
19 I am like a cask of wine without a vent,
like a new wineskin ready to burst!
20 I must speak to find relief,
so let me give my answers.
21 I won’t play favorites
or try to flatter anyone.
22 For if I tried flattery,
my Creator would soon destroy me."
Wow, is Elihu seemingly prideful or what?!? I can't imagine being Job and hearing this come out of this guy's mouth. I can say, from what he's describing, that at least he feels a conviction about what he believes. What do you guys see/think?
"Father I pray that You would keep us humble. Whenever we begin to think too highly of ourselves or of the things that don't really matter. I hope that every day, we would keep You first and that we would seek to honor You with everything we do in our lives! It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen!"
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