Job 32:1-5: a reflection

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.

When the young man Elihu is stirred to speak in the debate with Job, the account notes a mark of his humility: he had waited to speak until the others had finished, because they were older than he. Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, the account says, because they were older than he. Elihu had things he wanted to say, and strong feelings about the matter; but he restrained himself, holding back and waiting until the older men had had their say, out of respect for their age and seniority. Only when he saw they had no more to say did he speak. This shows a humility that listens first and defers to the older and more experienced. This shows the humility of waiting to speak, deferring to the older and more experienced. Elihu waited to speak, out of respect for his elders. Humility listens first and defers to age and experience. Restrain your eagerness to speak; give place to others first. Waiting to speak, deferring to elders, is a mark of humility.

Notice the restraint and humility in Elihu's waiting. He was younger than the others, and he had strong feelings and things he wanted to say. It would have been easy for him, in his eagerness, to push forward, to interrupt, to insist on being heard. But he did not; he waited, holding back his own words, until the older men had said their piece, out of respect for their age and experience. He restrained his eagerness and gave place to his elders first. This reflects a humility worth learning. We can be eager to speak, to give our opinion, to be heard, especially when we feel strongly about something; and this eagerness can lead us to push forward, to interrupt, to fail to give others, especially our elders and those with more experience, their due place. But there is a humility in restraining our eagerness to speak, in listening first, in deferring to others, especially those older or more experienced, before pressing our own view. This does not mean we never speak, or that the young have nothing to contribute; Elihu did speak, and had valuable things to say. But he spoke with humility, having first waited, listened, and given place to others. We do well to cultivate such humility: restraining our eagerness to speak, listening first, and deferring to others before pushing our own view. Restrain your eagerness to speak; listen first and defer to others. Humility gives place to elders and the experienced before pressing our own view. Waiting and listening first is a mark of humility. Do not push forward to be heard; give others their place.

That is worth taking to heart, for there is humility in restraining our eagerness to speak, listening first and deferring to others, as Elihu waited to speak out of respect for his elders. We can be eager to give our opinion and be heard, pushing forward without giving others their place; but Elihu, though younger and with strong feelings, waited until the older men had spoken. Humility waits and listens. Restrain your eagerness to speak; listen first, and give place to others, especially the older and more experienced, before pressing your own view. Cultivate the humility of restraining your eagerness to speak, listening first and deferring to others, especially the older and more experienced, before pressing your own view, as the young man Elihu, though stirred and with strong feelings about the debate with Job, waited to speak until the others had finished because they were older than he; for Elihu had things he wanted to say but restrained himself, holding back until the older men had had their say, out of respect for their age and seniority, and only when he saw they had no more to say did he speak, which reflects a humility worth learning, since we can be eager to speak, give our opinion, and be heard, especially when we feel strongly, and this eagerness can lead us to push forward, interrupt, and fail to give others, especially our elders and those with more experience, their due place, but there is a humility in restraining our eagerness to speak, listening first, and deferring to others before pressing our own view, which does not mean we never speak or that the young have nothing to contribute, since Elihu did speak and had valuable things to say, but he spoke with humility having first waited, listened, and given place to others, so that we do well to cultivate such humility.

Lord, when the young man Elihu is stirred to speak in the debate with Job, the account notes a mark of his humility: he had waited to speak until the others had finished, because they were older than he. Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, the account says, because they were older than he. Elihu had things he wanted to say, and strong feelings about the matter; but he restrained himself, holding back and waiting until the older men had had their say, out of respect for their age and seniority. Only when he saw they had no more to say did he speak. This shows a humility that listens first and defers to the older and more experienced. Show me the restraint and humility in Elihu's waiting. He was younger than the others, and had strong feelings and things he wanted to say. It would have been easy for him, in his eagerness, to push forward, to interrupt. But he did not; he waited, holding back his own words, until the older men had said their piece, out of respect for their age and experience. This reflects a humility worth learning. I can be eager to speak, to give my opinion, to be heard, especially when I feel strongly about something; and this eagerness can lead me to push forward, to interrupt, to fail to give others, especially my elders and those with more experience, their due place. But there is a humility in restraining my eagerness to speak, in listening first, in deferring to others before pressing my own view. This does not mean I never speak; Elihu did speak, and had valuable things to say. But he spoke with humility, having first waited, listened, and given place to others. Take that to my heart, for there is humility in restraining my eagerness to speak, listening first and deferring to others. Keep me from pushing forward to be heard without giving others their place; help me cultivate the humility of restraining my eagerness to speak, Lord, listening first and deferring to others, especially the older and more experienced, before pressing my own view, as Elihu waited out of respect for his elders.