Scripture Daily

Context No. 3570 of 4322 · Job

Context · Reflection

Job 32:1-5: in context

1So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God. 3Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. 4Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he. 5When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.

A new voice enters the book of Job: Elihu, a younger man who had held his tongue out of respect while his elders spoke. Now his anger is kindled, and it burns in two directions. He is angry at Job for justifying himself rather than God, and angry at the three friends because they had condemned Job yet found no real answer to give him.

There is something instructive here. Elihu, though young, had waited patiently and listened long before speaking, a good instinct, deferring to the age and experience of others. And when he does at last speak, he sees clearly what was wrong on both sides: Job's tendency to put himself in the right against God, and the friends' failure of real wisdom, condemning without ever understanding. Sometimes a fresh voice, one that has listened rather than rushed to speak, can see what the entrenched parties cannot. There is value in listening long before speaking, and in caring more that God be justified than that we simply win the argument.

Do I listen carefully before speaking, and when I do speak, do I care more that God be honored than that I win the argument or justify myself?

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