Some of the most important people in the word of God are often
overlooked; these righteous people may be overlooked in our lessons or our discussions because not much is said about them
or it may be we aren't seeing the depth of their importance when it comes to being spiritual examples. I believe both of these
reasons hold true with Elihu, including the fact that some have seen this man in a bad light, calling him a "johnny-come-lately"
and forcing his wrong beliefs about Job and God. I may be wrong, but I see nothing wrong with the man, except maybe a bit
of human ignorance we all have and I'm not even sure of that. Perhaps as we go through Elihu's speech we can determine if
there is any misjudgments or untruths in what he says. As of now, I see Elihu as a wise, self-controlled man of ethics who
gives no one special regard over the TRUTH.
In this issue I am going to look at the
man, Elihu, and if all goes well, next month we can begin looking at his speech and try our best to determine if this
was a righteous man of God or someone who jumps in at the last minute and causes Job more emotional pain by his misjudgments
of Job and God. Is Elihu equal to Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar or is he quite distinct from the other three friends?
Let's look at Job 32 and list what we can learn about the man, Elihu. We will use these characteristics
of Elihu to help us better understand his speech.
1. Evidently Elihu was present during all or most of the conversation between the 3 friends and
Job as 32:1-3 points out he was angry at what all four of them said. When we read the word of God we need to remember that
the Holy Spirit often does not reveal all the details of a particular circumstance; sometimes He later reveals a missing piece
of the story and sometimes we may never know all the facts. In this case Elihu wasn't mentioned from the beginning of the
book probably because there was no need to mention him as he was sitting back in silence and listening to the conversation.
2. Elihu was passionate when it came to
truth and justice. 32:2-4: Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite,
of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God. 3
Also against his three friends his wrath was aroused, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
4 Now because they were years older than he, Elihu had waited to speak to Job. 5
When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was aroused.
3. Elihu was a good listener. 32:11-12: 11 Indeed I waited for your words, I listened to your reasonings, while
you searched out what to say. 12 I paid close attention to you; A good listener hears what
is being said and patiently waits for the opinion being expressed to be completed before a response is given. Even if opinions
expressed give rise to anger, a good listener waits and hears all that's being said. (see verses in #2).
4. Elihu was the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family
of Ram. Buz was the second son of Nahor, Abraham's brother (Gen. 22:20f), who is listed with Dedan (Jer.
25:23) and seems to have been an Arabian (Gen. 10:7; Ezek. 27:15,20). Ram was not identified, but possibly he was a small
Arabian tribe or clan. It is unique that his ancestry was so definitely specified while that of the other three men were not.
-Homer Hailey, A Commentary on Job, pg 276
5.
Elihu was much younger than Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. 32:4,6:
4 Now because they were years older than he, Elihu had waited to speak to
Job; So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said: “I am young in years, and you are
very old;
6. Elihu was respectful and honored his elders. 32:4, 6-7, 16: 4
Now because they were years older than he, Elihu had waited to speak to Job. 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. 7 I said, ‘Age should
speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.’ 16 And I have waited, because they did not
speak, Because they stood still and answered no more.
7. Elihu understood the souce of wisdom.
32:7-9: 7 I said, ‘Age should speak, And multitude
of years should teach wisdom.’ 8 But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of
the Almighty gives him understanding. 9 Great men are not always wise, Nor
do the aged always understand justice.
8. Elihu is a self-controlled man. 17 I also will answer
my part, I too will declare my opinion, 18 For I am full of words; The spirit within me compels
me. 19 Indeed my belly is like wine that has no vent; It is ready to burst like
new wineskins. 20 I will speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer. (Also,
see scriptures in #5 and #6)
9. Elihu was an impartial
man, respecting no man over another. 32:21-22: 21 Let me not, I pray,
show partiality to anyone; Nor let me flatter any man. 22 For I do not know how to flatter, Else
my Maker would soon take me away.
More characteristics
of Elihu will come out as we continue to hear his speech and we'll add those as we continue in our study.
