Job 32

1 And his three friends also ceased any longer to answer Job: for Job was righteous before them.

2 Then Elius the son of Barachiel, the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram, of the country of Ausis, was angered: and he was very angry with Job, because he justified himself before the Lord.

3 And he was also very angry with three friends, because they were not able to return answers to Job, yet set him down for an ungodly man.

4 But Elius had forborne to give an answer to Job, because they were older than he.

5 And Elius saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men; and he was angered in his wrath.

6 And Elius the Buzite the son of Barachiel answered and said, I am younger in age, and ye are elder, wherefore I kept silence, fearing to declare to you my own knowledge.

7 And I said, It is not time that speaks, though in many years know wisdom:

8 but there is a spirit in mortals; and the inspiration of the Almighty is that which teaches.

9 The long-lived are not wise ; neither do the aged know judgment.

10 Wherefore I said, Hear me, and I will tell you what I know.

11 Hearken to my words; for I will speak in your hearing, until ye shall have tried with words:

12 and I shall understand as far as you; and, behold, there was no one of you that answered Job his words in argument,

13 lest ye should say, We have found that we have added wisdom to the Lord.

14 And ye have commissioned a man to speak such words.

15 They were afraid, they answered no longer; they gave up their speaking.

16 I waited, (for I had not spoken,) because they stood still, they answered not.

17 And Elius continued, and said, I will again speak,

18 for I am full of words, for the spirit of my belly destroys me.

19 And my belly is as a skin of sweet wine, bound up ready to burst; or as a brazier's labouring bellows.

20 I will speak, that I may open my lips and relieve myself.

21 For truly I will not be awed because of man, nor indeed will I be confounded before a mortal.

22 For I know not how to respect persons: and if otherwise, even the moths would eat me.

Job 32 Commentary

Chapter 32

Elihu is displeased at the dispute between Job and his friends. (1-5) He reproves them. (6-14) He speaks without partiality. (15-22)

Verses 1-5 Job's friends were silenced, but not convinced. Others had been present. Elihu was justly displeased with Job, as more anxious to clear his own character than the justice and goodness of God. Elihu was displeased with Job's friends because they had not been candid to Job. Seldom is a quarrel begun, more seldom is a quarrel carried on, in which there are not faults on both sides. Those that seek for truth, must not reject what is true and good on either side, nor approve or defend what is wrong.

Verses 6-14 Elihu professes to speak by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and corrects both parties. He allowed that those who had the longest experience should speak first. But God gives wisdom as he pleases; this encouraged him to state his opinion. By attention to the word of God, and dependence upon the Holy Spirit, young men may become wiser than the aged; but this wisdom will render them swift to hear, slow to speak, and disposed to give others a patient hearing.

Verses 15-22 If we are sure that the Spirit of God suggested what we are about to say, still we ought to refrain, till it comes to our turn to speak. God is the God of order, not of confusion. It is great refreshment to a good man, to speak for the glory of the Lord, and to edify others. And the more we consider the majesty of God, as our Maker, and the more we dread his wrath and justice, the less shall we sinfully fear or flatter men. Could we set the wrath Lord always before us, in his mercies and his terrors, we should not be moved from doing our duty in whatever we are called to do.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 32

Job's three friends being silenced, and having no more to say in reply to him, Elihu, of whose descent some account is given, a bystander and hearer of the whole dispute between them, rises up as a moderator, and expresses some anger both against them and Job, Job 32:1-5; he makes an apology for engaging in this controversy, by reason of his youth, and they being advanced in years, Job 32:6,7; but since there is a spirit in man, that gives understanding to men of every age, and old men are not always wise, he desires they would hearken to him while he delivered his sentiments on the subject in debate, Job 32:8-10; and hopes to be heard patiently, since he had waited until they had said all they had to say, and had closely attended to it, and which fell short of convincing Job; and this he was obliged to say, lest they should be wise in their own conceit, and attribute that to men which belongs to God, Job 32:11-13; he proposes to take a new method with Job, different from theirs; and now they hearing all this from a young man, they were filled with amazement, and struck with silence; and after he had waited a while to observe whether they would say anything or not, he determined to take his turn, and show his opinion also, Job 32:14-17; and the rather because he was full of arguments, he was desirous to propose them, and was uneasy until he had brought them out; and which he was resolved to do with all impartiality and integrity, Job 32:18-22.