Job 32:1-22
Q.1. Why did Job’s friends stop answering him? With whom was Elihu angry? Why had he withheld his response? – (Job 32:1-10)
The reason given for the closure of the discussion from Job’s friends, was because – he was righteous in his own eyes (Job 32:1). Though they were unfair to Job, this reminds us that silence is often the best way to respond. We are better off to leave any vindication of us to the Lord. However, we still see one more ‘comforter’ standing – the younger Elihu (Job 32:4). He exploded with anger – 2 … against Job his anger burned because he justified himself before God. 3 And his anger burned against his three friends because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job (Job32:2-3). Elihu had prejudged Job and was frustrated that the other friends had not substantiated their case against Job. He explained why he had held back – 6 … I am young in years and you are old; Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you what I think. 7 “I thought age should speak, and increased years should teach wisdom (Job 32:6-7). He rightly observed that not all people grow in wisdom as they age (Job 32:9).
Q.2. Had Elihu been attentive to the arguments of his friends? What was his motive for responding? Did he recognize his limitations? – (Job 32:6-22)
Elihu had wisely held his peace and listened carefully to all the arguments of Job’s friends. He concluded – … there was no one who refuted Job, not one of you who answered his words (Job 32:12). Nevertheless, along with the others, he also had condemned Job. His frustration at the weak arguments of Job’s friends had built up to bursting point – 17 “I too will answer my share, I also will tell my opinion. 18 “For I am full of words … 20 “Let me speak that I may get relief; Let me open my lips and answer (Job 32:17-18, 20). In such an emotional frame of mind, whatever he would contribute may not be balanced. In fact, even before he responded, he made it clear that he would be blunt, and therefore not compassionate to the suffering Job (Job 32:21-22). Nothing and no one would stop him from speaking his mind.