Job 32

1 Alors ces trois hommes-là cessèrent de répondre à Job, parce qu'il croyait être juste.

2 Et Élihu, fils de Barakéel, Buzite, de la famille de Ram, se mit dans une fort grande colère contre Job, parce qu'il se justifiait lui-même devant Dieu.

3 Il se mit aussi en colère contre ses trois amis, parce qu'ils ne trouvaient rien à répondre, et que néanmoins ils avaient condamné Job.

4 Et Élihu avait attendu pour s'adresser à Job qu'ils eussent parlé, parce qu'ils étaient plus âgés que lui.

5 Élihu, voyant que ces trois hommes n'avaient plus aucune réponse à la bouche, se mit en colère.

6 Et Élihu, fils de Barakéel, Buzite, prit la parole, et dit: Je suis jeune et vous êtes des vieillards, aussi j'ai craint et je n'ai pas osé vous dire mon avis.

7 Je me disais: Les jours parleront, et le grand nombre des années fera connaître la sagesse.

8 Mais c'est l'esprit qui est dans les hommes, c'est le souffle du Tout-Puissant qui les rend intelligents.

9 Ce ne sont pas les aînés qui sont sages; ce ne sont pas les vieillards qui comprennent ce qui est juste.

10 C'est pourquoi je dis: Écoute-moi; je dirai mon avis, moi aussi.

11 Voici, j'ai attendu vos discours, j'ai écouté vos raisonnements, jusqu'à ce que vous eussiez bien examiné les discours de Job.

12 Je vous ai suivis attentivement, et voici, pas un de vous n'a convaincu Job, pas un n'a répondu à ses paroles.

13 Ne dites pas: Nous avons trouvé la sagesse! Dieu seul le mettra en fuite, et non un homme.

14 Il n'a pas dirigé ses discours contre moi, et je ne lui répondrai pas à votre manière.

15 Ils sont consternés! Ils ne répondent plus! On leur a ôté l'usage de la parole!

16 J'ai attendu: puisqu'ils ne parlent plus, qu'ils se tiennent là sans répondre,

17 Je répondrai, moi aussi, pour ma part; je dirai mon avis, moi aussi;

18 Car je suis rempli de discours; l'esprit qui est en mon sein me presse.

19 Voici, mon sein est comme un vin sans issue, il va éclater comme des outres neuves.

20 Je parlerai donc et je me soulagerai, j'ouvrirai mes lèvres et je répondrai.

21 Qu'il ne m'arrive pas d'être partial, et de flatter qui que ce soit.

22 Car je ne sais pas flatter: mon créateur ne m'enlèverait-il pas bientôt!

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.