LET THE YOUNG SPEAK

Job 32-37

A fresh and unexpected voice, which shuts the mouth of the so-called wise man.

A young man named Elihu rebukes Job’s three friends for their bad theology. Elihu also calls out Job, to repent, for the sin of pride that is starting to develop as he goes through his sufferings. See! Some would approach this section of this letter and view this young man as a, “hurried, and full of arrogance of youth.” Others would see that Elihu brings nothing to table because he lacks wisdom and life experience to add any value.

But is that true?

Is it because he is young and unlearned?

Because this young man theology is spot on as he goes on for six chapters talking about the character of God to these men who should have known better. He is also sensitive to Job and his sufferings than anyone there, and he declares to Job that God is gracious and caring. He claims biblical truth and he does it by avoids personal feelings, the time of year or life experience to express his points. We will see that Elihu was speaking under the influence of Almighty God who was directing and leading him in what to say. John Wesley said “When I was young I was sure of everything. Now, having been mistaken a thousand times, I’m not half so sure of most things as I was before. At present, I am hardly sure of anything but what God has revealed to me.” God used a young man to bring biblical wisdom to the table to rebuke the hearts of those who thought they were wise in their own eyes.

Why do I say that?

Elihu is never rebuked by God for what he says to these older men and Job “After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite: "My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has." So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what the LORD had told them, and the LORD accepted Job's prayer.” Job 42:7-9

  

We have a great misunderstanding when it comes to wisdom, meaning that wisdom only comes with aged, the seasoned, and rightfully it does to a point.

Prov 16:31 we read “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.”

Prov 20:29 we read “The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.” The gray head is the key index of wisdom and consideration.

Job said “Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.” Job 12:12

In Leviticus we read “You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the LORD.” Lev 19:32. The outward respect due to old age is here immediately connected with the fear of God. Because it, the face of a wise man 

What about the young person,

can they not possess wisdom?

We assume that youth bring nothing to table so we usually say “Be seen and not heard and learn from us.” But is that sound advice or wisdom?

Scripture has some things to say about that.

We read about God calling out a young man into ministry. “Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli…..” 1 Sam 3:1 And further down in the same chapter we read. “And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.” 1 Sam 3:19. Not only did Samuel grow in years and stature, but in grace and goodness. In wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, with respect to things natural and spiritual.

Solomon wrote “Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice.” Eccl 4:13

  

We read this when Jeremiah encountered God. “Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.” Jer 1:4-7

  

Paul reminded Timothy with these words “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” 1 Tim 4:12

Job spoke of the seasoned man, but he also said this wisdom comes from one source "Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.” With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding.” Job 12:12-13

I do believe this is true of Elihu, as he opens his mouth to speak to into the heart of these men. (Chapter 33:4)

There are two things that have upset Elihu in his long discourse. This young man had a lot to say considering he has waited patiently to respond to these men of age. The first one is Job’s friends, because they had no answer and failed to answer Job in his suffering. (Chapter 32)  The second one is that Elihu is angry with Job for he saw himself righteous in his own eyes. (Chapter 33)  And to make his case against all four of them, this young man gives these older men a theological lesson to the character of God. (Chapter 34-37) Elihu reproves Job and his friends for their wrong views of God.

Elihu Emphasizes The Justice Of God (34-35)

God will always do right! As Warren Wiersbe said “An unjust God would be as unthinkable

as a square circle or a round triangle.” God is never unjust….we know that to be true because your still breathing. Understand! God is incapable of wrongdoing or unrighteousness. 

See! If God is truly God, then He is perfect, 

and if He is perfect, then He cannot do wrong.

To do wrong would be to go against His perfections. God is always true, holy and righteous and His conduct can never contradict His perfections. (v10). Speaking of God, Moses said, “For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.” Deut 32:3-4. Abraham successfully appeals to God’s character of righteousness when he said, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" Gen 18:25. God also speaks and commands what is right, “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.” Psalm 19:7-9

And God says of Himself this divine truth, “I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, 'Seek me in vain.' I the LORD speak the truth; I declare what is right.” Isaiah 45:19. Job and his friends viewed God’s justice incorrectly! Because when God does not punish sin, it seems to indicate that He is unrighteous, unless some other means of punishing sin is seen. Job 34:16-20 This was the problem with their wrong view of God, of sin and suffering. God doesn’t need to explain Himself to us; and He surely doesn’t need to explain the rightness of His actions, to Job, me and you.

  

But He did! 

This is why Paul says that when God sent Christ as a sacrifice to bear the punishment for sin, it “was to show God’s righteousness because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Rom 3:25-26. When Christ died to pay the penalty for our sins it showed that God was truly righteous. It showed He gives appropriate punishment to sin and that God’s justice will stand perfect in the end. To utter words from our hearts that God is unjust, and God is not fair is to say, “That the Most High who is seated on the Throne is corrupt.”

And if the Most High in Heavens is corrupt

then what hope is there for us?

Christopher Ash said “If I feel that God has not treated me right, in my health, my upbringing, my abilities, my relationships, my work, or in a failed relationship, a bereavement, a sickness, or a psychiatric disorder, then my faith will be harmed, my obedience will become reluctant, my hope will be destroyed, and my joy will be poisoned. The very first temptation in the garden in Eden was to believe that God is not fair.”

But justice and fairness lies at the heart of this whole letter found in Job.

Elihu Exalts The Greatness And Majesty Of God (36-37)

Elihu expounds and focuses on the greatness of God. And it’s this greatness that is mixed with God’s goodness, sovereignty, sympathy and majesty; which is supplied to us through His mercy and grace. This supply is what leads a child of God, to bend the knee to the Supremacy of God. Steve Lawson wrote “God’s supremacy is not arbitrary, inflicting harm on people needlessly. Rather, His control over everything is teamed with compassion for all.” This is the hope that Elihu is trying to get Job to focus on. Job was a man who needs to meditate on the goodness of God in the midst of affliction and suffering. And remind ourselves of His greatness and supply of mercy and grace.

  

Mathew Henry said “He who feeds His birds will not starve His babes.”

See! The goodness of God means that God is the final standard of good. And all that God is and does, is worthy of approval and our adoration because we receive His goodness every second of every day. The big things and small things we take for granted God is pouring out His goodness in our life despite the present distraction or suffering. (v5-V16)

The Psalms frequently affirm this truth!

Psalm 100:5 we read “For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations

Psalm 106:1 we read “Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 107:1 we read “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”

This should be hearts cry, every moment of every day. Why? Because God is good! We know this to be true by what Luke penned “And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. “Luke 18:19

  

What is good?

Answer: Is what God approves

Wayne Gruden said “We may ask then, why is what God approves good? We must answer, “Because He approves it.” That is to say there is no higher standard of goodness than God’s own character and His approval of whatever is consistent with that Character.”

The Word of God says that God is the source of all good in the world when Paul explains they are mere men and not gods. “Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations He allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet He did not leave Himself without witness, for He did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." Acts 14:12-17

God pours out goodness to the just

and the unjust with His common grace.

R C Sproul said “God’s common grace is just that—common. Unlike the special, saving grace that God bestows on those whom He has chosen for salvation, common grace is indiscriminate. This grace is what leaves all people without an excuse. No one can stand before the Lord on the last day and claim that they do not owe Him thanks, for God has given even the basest sinner the gift of life. That human beings made in His image ignore and reject Him even after being shown common grace shows us just how desperate our condition is apart from His special grace.”

  

The goodness He pours into the children though redemption is His special grace to undeserving sinners like you and me. As Paul said “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast..” Eph 2:4-9

This is what makes my heart sing for joy because He is good and His majesty fills the earth with His glory. (Chapter 37) Trials and sufferings often distort a person’s view of this reality. And we need to remind ourselves that the best is yet to come, because has a seat for us at His table. The Psalmist wrote “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:1-2. Daily we stand in the shadows of His power and sovereign authority.

Charles Spurgeon said “There is no attribute of God more comforting to His children than the doctrine of divine sovereignty.”

Elihu reminds Job about this truth as he closes his final remarks.

God controls the thunderstorm. (v1-v5)

God controls the Snowstorm (v6-v10)

God controls the rainstorm (11-v13)

Everything in my life and into the next is well-ordered by His sovereign purposes. I don’t know about you but I find this truth very comforting, because I know my afflictions are but for a moment, a season. A moment like a thunderstorm, a snowstorm or a rainstorm. Like any storm that we face, it will eventually pass. A friend asked George Muller, what was the secret of his service for Christ? To which George answered: “There was a day when I died,” and, as he spoke, he bent lower, until he almost touched the floor. Continuing he added, “Died to George Muller, his opinions, preferences, tastes and will; died to the world, its approval or censure; died to the approval or blame even of my brethren or friends; and since then I have studied only to show myself approved unto God.”

This is what Elihu was telling Job to focus on. This was the place to which Job must come in his relationship with God. Like Job, we must die to all self-interests and all desires.  We must submit in unconditional surrender to God who is Just, Great, Majestic and Sovereign.