CHAPTER 32

(1520 B.C.)

ELIHU SPEAKS

¹So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes (it should be noted that this is what these three men said, and not God; actually, the reverse is true; it is the three friends who are righteous in their own eyes, not Job).

²Then 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 (Job was not trying to justify himself in the Eyes of God, but rather he was stating his case; as it regards Elihu, it was his self-righteousness which caused his anger against Job).

³Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job (Elihu sets himself up as above all who are there, including Job).

⁴Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were older than he (he would have been wiser yet to have said nothing).

⁵When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled (fools walk where Angels fear to tread).

⁶And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and you are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and did not show you my opinion.

⁷I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom (you are older than I am, so you should have more wisdom, but you dont).

⁸But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty gives them understanding (Elihu claims great understanding from God).

⁹Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment (in other words, even though I am younger, I understand more than you do; what impertinence!).

¹⁰Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show my opinion (some claim that Elihu was a type of Christ; however, that is contradicted by his statement; the Lord does not give His opinion, but only Thus saith the Lord).

ELIHUS IMPERTINENCE

¹¹Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, while you searched out what to say (to the three friends, I have heard all that you have said).

¹²Yes, I attended unto you, and behold, there was none of you who convinced Job, or who answered his words (no doubt, there were many others present who also heard this entire exchange):

¹³Lest you should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusts him down, not man (this latter phrase is true; God will have the last say, and not man).

¹⁴Now he (Job) has not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches (I will bring forward fresh arguments).

¹⁵They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking (the three friends were amazed at this young mans impertinence; so they answered him by saying nothing).

¹⁶When I had waited, (for they spoke not, but stood still, and answered no more [he waited for them to answer, but they said nothing];)

¹⁷I said, I will answer also my part, I also will show my opinion (in other words, its now my turn!).

¹⁸For I am full of matter (words), the spirit within me constrains me (I must speak! To be sure, it was his spirit and not Gods Spirit).

¹⁹Behold, my belly is as wine which has no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles (only youth would make such foolish statements).

²⁰I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.

²¹Let me not, I pray you, accept any mans person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man (in other words, hes not going to show Job any respect).

²²For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my Maker would soon take me away (here, he puts himself spiritually above Job).