JOB LESSON 31


     We will begin this lesson in Job 32:1 "So these three men ceased
to answer Job, because he [was] righteous in his own eyes."

     This was actually stating that Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar had
run out of things to accuse Job of. Job knew that he was not guilty of
the things they had accused him of. They thought Job was righteous in
his own sight. Job had not made that statement. He had only defended
himself from their accusations, which were untrue.

     Job 32:2 "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."

     "Elihu" means He is my God. "Barachel" means God blesses. These
names both indicate that Elihu was a believer in the One True God. We
would have to twist the names Buzite and Ram to make any connection
with them. The main thing was that Elihu was angry with Job for
justifying himself before God. We will find in a later lesson, that
God was not offended by Job's defense of his own actions.

     Job 32:3 "Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled,
because they had found no answer, and [yet] had condemned Job."

     The three who called themselves friends of Job, were not friends
at all. Their accusations were unfounded. They could not prove them,
because they were not true. They should not have condemned Job without
facts to prove what they were saying. It appears that Elihu had waited
to see the outcome of their actions. When he saw they could not get
answers for their accusations, Elihu took up the battle.

     Job 32:4 "Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they
[were] elder than he."

     We are told very little of how Elihu had the authority to come
against Job. He had been polite and waited until Job finished, because
he was a younger man. His waiting showed he had respect for age, at
least.

     Job 32:5 "When Elihu saw that [there was] no answer in the mouth
of [these] three men, then his wrath was kindled."  Job 32:6 "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."

     This young man at least called his accusations, his opinion. He
was much younger than Job, it seems. It would not be appropriate for
a young man to reprimand his elder ordinarily.

     Job 32:7 "I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years
should teach wisdom."  Job 32:8 "But [there is] a spirit in man: and
the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding."
     Elihu had been reluctant to speak because of his youth, but he
said the Spirit of God moved upon his spirit to speak. It is not just
age and education that give people the right to teach others. It is
the Spirit of God moving within them.

     Job 32:9 "Great men are not [always] wise: neither do the aged
understand judgment."

     He was speaking of men with great power and prestige, when he
said "great men". Age does not make a man wise either. Wisdom is a
gift from God.

     Job 32:10 "Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine
opinion."

     He was asking the three friends of Job, as well as Job, to hear
him out.

     Job 32:11 "Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your
reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say."

     He had waited patiently while Job's three accusers looked for
things to accuse Job of. He waited patiently for them to prove Job
guilty. It seemed to him, as if they were hunting for words to say.

     Job 32:12 "Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, [there was]
none of you that convinced Job, [or] that answered his words:"

     He listened carefully to them, but they did not even convince him
of Job's guilt in these matters, much less Job. They were not
effective in causing Job to see his errors and repent. They did not
even answer Job's questions.

     Job 32:13 "Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God
thrusteth him down, not man."

     It appears, their reason for trying to destroy Job was to build
themselves up. If Job were thrust down, it would be from God, and not
from them.

     Job 32:14 "Now he hath not directed [his] words against me:
neither will I answer him with your speeches."

     Job had not said anything against Elihu. Elihu would not be
trying to defend his own character. He would not be speaking to get
revenge on Job. He would take an entirely different approach.

     Job 32:15 "They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off
speaking."

     This caused the three friends of Job to say no more. Their
amazement was in the fact that this young man would take it upon
himself to speak to his elders in this manner.

     Job 32:16 "When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood
still, [and] answered no more;)" Job 32:17  "[I said], I will answer
also my part, I also will shew mine opinion."

     When Elihu realized that the three had nothing else to say, he
decided to speak his opinion.

     Job 32:18 "For I am full of matter, the spirit within me
constraineth me."

     There were many things he would like to say, but his spirit was
telling him not to speak.

     Job 32:19 "Behold, my belly [is] as wine [which] hath no vent; it
is ready to burst like new bottles."

     He was so full, he would burst, if he did not open his mouth and
speak some of the words that were built up inside of him. Wine will
swell and burst new bottles, if the bottle is allowed to swell.

     Job 32:20 "I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my
lips and answer."

     It was almost as if he was trying to convince himself that he
should speak. After he had spoken, perhaps, he would be more at peace.

     Job 32:21 "Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person,
neither let me give flattering titles unto man."

     Elihu hoped that he would not lean to either side, because of who
they were. He wanted his speech to be unbiased. He did not want to
think of the high position that Job had in the community, and not say
what he needed to say, either. He truly wanted to speak truth.

     Job 32:22 "For I know not to give flattering titles; [in so
doing] my maker would soon take me away."

     He would speak to Job, as he would to any other man. He was
afraid to call an earthly man by a flattering title, for fear God
would be jealous and punish him.














                           Job 31 Questions


1.  Why did the three men cease to answer Job?
2.  Had Job made that statement?
3.  Their accusations were _________.
4.  Then was kindled the wrath of __________.
5.  Who was his father?
6.  Why was he angry?
7.  What does "Elihu" mean?
8.  What does Barachel" mean?
9.  What does the meaning of their names tell us?
10. Was God offended by Job trying to defend himself from the
    accusations?
11. Why was Elihu offended at the three friends of Job?
12. Why had they not been able to prove their accusations against Job?
13. Why had Elihu waited this long to speak?
14. Elihu said, "I am young, and ye are very _______".
15. The young man called his accusations his __________.
16. What caused Elihu to desire to speak?
17. Great men are not always _______.
18. It seemed to Elihu, that the friends were searching for things to
    _______.
19. Why had the friends tried to destroy Job?
20. There were many things he wanted to _______.
21. What constrained Elihu?
22. Elihu said, his belly was as _______ which hath no vent.
23. Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's __________.
24. Why would he not use flattering titles?
25. What did Elihu fear might happen to him?