Job 32:6: “So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said: ‘I am young in years, and you are very old; therefore I was afraid, and dared not declare my opinion to you.’”

December 27th, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

In this chapter we discover that there were others listening to the dialogue going on between Job and his 3 friends. In the Hebrew text, we are told 4 times that this young man, Elihu, was angry. We could argue that he was the original “angry young man.” He appeared to be wise in that he waited to speak. Perhaps he had heard the same kind of things we all heard when we were younger: “Mind your elders, boy!” or “I just don’t know what’s wrong with this younger generation! They have no respect at all!” Many of today’s youth are impatient to be adults, and are therefore impatient with adults who, they feel, are holding them back. It can be very frustrating to be young and not taken seriously or have your opinion considered, even in church.

We who are now older need to remember that God has often spoken through the young, like Jeremiah, Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-Nego, and the Apostle John. Why does God seem to prefer to use the young? Perhaps because they are not so beaten down that they have a thousand reasons why something new won’t work. They are more mobile because they usually have fewer responsibilities. They have more energy and are more idealistic, so they’re more likely to simply take God at His word and follow Him, even if it seems crazy. Nevertheless, they need discipleship from those who are more mature in the faith. When was the last time we encouraged a young believer?

“LORD, give us eyes today to see that young person in the faith who needs encouragement. Give us a heart to help them become everything You want them to be.”

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Job 32 KJV

¹ So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. ² Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.  ³ Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. ⁴ Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he. ⁵ When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled. ⁶ And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.  ⁷ I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. ⁸ But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. ⁹Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. ¹⁰Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. ¹¹ Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.   ¹²Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, orthat answered his words: ¹³ Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man. ¹⁴ Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches. ¹⁵ They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.  ¹⁶ When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;) ¹⁷ I said , I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion. ¹⁸ For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.   ¹⁹ Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.  ²⁰ I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.  ²¹ Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. ²² For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.