20240710

wisdom to shut up

Job 32:1-22 (JDV)

Job 32:1 So these three men quit answering Job because he was righteous in his own eyes.
Job 32:2 Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite from the family of Ram became angry. He was angry at Job because he had justified his throat rather than God.
Job 32:3 He was also angry at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer and yet had condemned him.
Job 32:4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were all older than he.
Job 32:5 But when he saw that the three men could not answer Job, he became angry.
Job 32:6 So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said: I am young in years, while you are old; that is why I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know.
Job 32:7 I thought that age should speak, and maturity should teach wisdom.
Job 32:8 But it is the breath in a mortal — the breathing from the Almighty — that gives anyone understanding.
Job 32:9 It is not only the old who are wise or the elderly who understand how to judge.
Job 32:10 That is why I say, “Listen to me. I too will declare what I know.”
Job 32:11 Look, I waited for your conclusions; I listened to your insights as you sought for words.
Job 32:12 I paid close attention to you. Yet no mortal proved Job wrong; not one of you refuted his arguments.
Job 32:13 So do not claim, “We have found wisdom; let God deal with him, not man.”
Job 32:14 But Job has not directed his argument to me, and I will not respond to him with your arguments.
Job 32:15 Job’s friends are dismayed and can no longer answer; words have left them.
Job 32:16 Should I continue to wait now that they are silent — now that they stand there and no longer answer?
Job 32:17 I too will answer; yes, I will tell what I know.
Job 32:18 For I am full of words, and my spirit compels me to speak.
Job 32:19 My heart is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like new wineskins.
Job 32:20 I must speak so that I can find relief; I must open my lips and respond.
Job 32:21 I will be partial to no one, and I will not give anyone an undeserved title.
Job 32:22 Because I do not know how to give such titles; otherwise, my Maker would remove me in an instant.

wisdom to shut up

Elihu enters the conversation as a young man who is frustrated. His elders have let him down. He thought for sure that their age (and their apparent good standing before God) would break Job of his stubborn refusal to honor God by repenting. So Elihu feels forced to say something. He should have had something to say.

LORD, when there is nothing to say, give us the wisdom to shut up.