SCRIPTURE: JOB 32
ELIHU (vs. 1-22)
The three friends of Job stopped answering Job. But Elihu became angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. He was also angry with the three friends because they could not refute Job yet they had condemned him. After the older ones had spoken, Elihu began to speak. “Advance ages do not necessarily teach wisdom. It is the breathe of the Almighty who gives man understanding. Not only the old are wise man nor the aged understand what is right. None of you has proved Job wrong nor answered his arguments. Now I will say what I have. The spirit within me compelled me to open my lips an speak out. I will show no partiality nor flatter any man.”
THOUGHTS:
Elihu was angry with Job for accusing God. He was angry with the three friends for their incorrect arguments. He had self-control to wait until it was the right time to speak. May we learn to hold our tongue and wait until God has given us the wisdom to speak. Otherwise, our words will do more harm than good.
Although Elihu was younger than the three friends, but he had a new viewpoint. The three friends argued that Job was suffering from some past sins. But Elihu maintained that Job was not suffering because of sin. He was sinning because of suffering. Elihu pointed out that Job’s attitude had become arrogant as he tried to defend himself. Elihu view point is that suffering is not meant to punish us as much as it is meant to correct and restore us and to keep us on the right path. He was urging Job to look at his suffering from a different perspective and with a greater purpose in mind. However, Elihu was wrong to assume that a correct response to suffering always bring healing and restoration.