The Youngster Speaks

Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence. Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that God was right in punishing him. He was also angry with Job’s three friends, for they made God appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments. Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older than he. But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily. [Job 32.1-5]

Oh wow. Apparently a youngster, Elihu, was listening to Job and his three friends argue about Job's situation. This youngster is not on record as being one of Job's friends... and this is important because:

After the LORD had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has. [Job 42.7]

Elihu is the only participant in this conversation who was not rebuked by God in the end! So, let's see try to understand what he said:

1. He was angry at Job because he refused to admit sin and God's justice in punishing him.
2. He was angry at the three friends because they discredited God by their inability to effectively refute Job.

It is not ironic that the one person in this story who, instead of blurting out what he thought, remained silent is NOT rebuked by God (undoubtedly, culture had much to do with this). Hmm, is there a lesson here? I think so!

All this considered, it is furthermore not ironic, considering Elihu's circumstances, that immediately following his accurate rebuke of Job (sermon, if you will), God begins to speak!

It makes sense then, that if we carefully compare the things Job and his three friends said to what Elihu said, we might begin to discern just where Job and his friends were wrong and where Elihu was right - and obviously confirmed by God.

Father, I want to better understand Job's story. Help me to see what is going on beginning to end and learn more about You and myself in so doing.