Wisdom Please

Job 33

What is your take on Elihu? All of a sudden in ch. 32 we are introduced to a fourth friend, Elihu. He was there during the whole argument between Job and Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. We see that he told everyone that he remained quiet because he was young and wanted to be respectful to his elders. So this new friend, was young and quiet and then we see that he finally has enough and wants to speak up. 

It is interesting about this friend that just emerged. Commentator Ray Stedman  gives a couple of points to show that Elihu is a little different than the other ones. 1) At the end of Job, God does not rebuke Elihu but he does to the other three. 2) Elihu is sensitive to Job’s suffering. In this chapter we see that he knew he was suffering and that he was in pit of depression. 3) Elihu speaks from revelation and not emotion or age.

Young People Can be Wise

Elihu starts his dialogue with Job by asking him to hear his words because he is not speaking out of experience. He could not because he does not have much to go with. He is not speaking out of emotion. Responding to someone based on emotion is easy because we are emotional beings. The three other friends were getting angry with Job. They were the ones reacting because Job did not see it their way. Do you ever get angry when talking with someone and they do not see it your way? Wait until you get married, you will get to that point. The Bible is clear about us to be quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to get angry (James 1:19). Have you ever had to defend the faith? It is easy when you are defending the faith and the other party may make an insulting comment and then you react and get angry. It is interesting that Elihu was not basing his comments on emotion and yet he was younger than the others who did.

Elihu responded with revelation from God. In 1st Timothy 4:12 Paul tells young Timothy to not let others despise his youth. It is easy to intimidated when you need to speak truth to someone that is older. A couple things we need to know is 1) God is the giver of wisdom and can give them to a young person or an older person. It is possible for a younger person to have better insight in the Lord. 2) If God has given you wisdom over an older person be careful and do not become prideful. 3) Respond in love and respect. They are still older than you. Paul tells Timothy to not let others despise his youth but also to set the example. I truly believe the best way you can impart wisdom is by not living foolishly and setting the example. I have seen young jr highers make wiser decisions than some adults and live their life more for the king. So go out and set that example for others to see and do not let them despise your youth. James 1:5 tells us if any is lacking in wisdom let him ask and we should ask for wisdom from the Lord.