Elihu's Anger Is Kindled
Study note
The three friends have stopped answering Job because he insists he is righteous. Now a younger man named Elihu steps forward. He is angry at Job for claiming to be right rather than giving God the glory. He is also angry at the three friends because they condemned Job but could not actually answer his arguments. Elihu had waited because they were older, but he can stay silent no longer.
1 After that, the three friends stopped trying to answer Job. He was completely sure he was innocent. So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2 But a young man named Elihu became furious. He was the son of Barakel the Buzite, from the family of Ram. He was angry with Job because Job kept insisting he was right instead of giving God the credit. Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
3 Elihu was also angry at Job's three friends. They had failed to give Job a real answer, even though they kept hinting he was guilty. Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
4 Elihu had held back from speaking because the other men were all older than him. Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.
5 But once Elihu saw that the three friends had nothing left to say, his anger boiled over. When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
Youth and the Spirit of God
Study note
Elihu explains why he was afraid to speak: he is young, and they are old. He expected age to bring wisdom. But he has realized that it is not just age that makes a person wise -- it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives understanding. Great men are not always wise. None of them could answer Job, so Elihu will try a different approach.
6 So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up and said, 'I am the youngest one here, and you are all older. Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you what I think.' And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.
7 'I kept thinking, "Older people should go first. The more years you have lived, the more wisdom you should have learned."' I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
8 'But the truth is, it is the spirit inside a person that gives real understanding. It is the very breath that the Almighty blows into them.' But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
9 'Being old does not automatically make you wise. Living a long time does not guarantee you will have good judgment.' Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
10 'So I am asking you to hear me out. Let me share what I think too.' Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.
11 'I sat and waited patiently while you all talked. I listened to every argument you made while you searched for the right things to say.' Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.
12 'I gave you my full attention. But not a single one of you proved Job wrong. None of you had an answer for his arguments.' Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:
13 'Do not try to say, "We have discovered real wisdom here. Only God can handle Job, not any human being."' Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.
14 'Job was not arguing with me. And I am not going to use your same tired points against him.' Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.
Elihu Must Speak
Study note
The three friends are silent, unable to respond further. Elihu says he is bursting with words -- like a wineskin about to pop. He must speak to find relief. He promises to show no favoritism and give no one false titles. If he did, God would quickly take him away.
15 'They are completely stumped. They have run out of things to say. Words have abandoned them.' They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.
16 'Should I keep waiting around now that they are standing there speechless, with nothing left to offer?' When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
17 'No, I am going to give my own answer. I am going to say what I know.' I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.
18 'I am bursting with things to say. The spirit inside me is pushing me forward.' For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
19 'My insides feel like a bottle of wine with no escape. I am about to pop like a new wineskin.' Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.
20 'I have to speak or I will explode. I have to open my mouth and say something.' I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
21 'I am not going to play favorites with anyone. I refuse to butter anyone up with flattery.' Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.
22 'I have no idea how to give fake compliments. If I tried, God my Maker would get rid of me in a heartbeat.' For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.