1
So the three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2
Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became angry; he was angry with Job, because he justified himself rather than God,
3
and he was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no answer, yet had condemned Job.
4
Now Elihu had waited to speak with Job, because they were older than he.
5
But when he saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he became angry.
6
Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said: “I am young in years, and you are very old; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you.
7
I thought, Let days speak, and let many years teach wisdom.
8
But it is the spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.
9
It is not the many in years who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.
10
Therefore I say, Listen to me; I also will declare my opinion.
11
See, I waited for your words; I listened to your reasonings, while you searched out what to say.
12
Indeed, I paid close attention to you, and behold, there was none among you who refuted Job, none who answered his words.
13
Do not say now, We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not man.
14
He has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your words.
15
They are dismayed; they answer no more; they have no more words.
16
And shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand there and answer no more?
17
I also will answer in my turn; I also will declare my opinion.
18
For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me.
19
Indeed, my inward part is like wine that has no vent, like new wineskins that are about to burst.
20
I must speak, that I may find relief; I must open my mouth and give an answer.
21
I will not show partiality to anyone, and I will not flatter anyone,
22
for I do not know how to flatter; if I did, my Maker would soon take me away.”
🧒🔥📣 Summary of Job 32 – “Elihu Begins to Speak”
Chapter Job 32 marks a major turning point in the flow of the book of Job. After Job finished defending himself in chapter 31, a new figure named Elihu appears, who had not spoken before. He is young, and had previously kept silent out of respect for Job’s friends’ age.
Now, Elihu can no longer bear to see the injustice in the debate — both because Job justifies himself before God, and because Job’s three friends fail to give a wise answer.
📌 1. Elihu Introduces Himself (verses 1–5)
➡️ After Job defended himself and his friends fell silent, Elihu became very angry.
➡️ He was angry because:
- Job justified himself, not God (v. 2)
- The three friends failed to refute Job wisely (v. 3)
➡️ Elihu waited because he was younger than the others.
🎯 Elihu appears as a new and fervent voice, wanting to correct the direction of the conversation.
📌 2. Elihu Respects Age, Yet Relies on the Spirit of God (verses 6–10)
➡️ He says:
“I am young, and you are advanced in years…”
➡️ But:
“Not the old alone have wisdom, but the spirit of the Almighty gives understanding.”
➡️ Wisdom is not about age, but about the spirit from God.
🎯 Elihu affirmed that his spiritual authority came from God, not from human experience alone.
📌 3. Criticism of Job’s Three Friends (verses 11–14)
➡️ Elihu had heard all their arguments, but:
- They did not answer Job rightly
- They stopped speaking even though they had not answered
➡️ Elihu said, “Do not say that you have found wisdom. God must answer him, not man.”
🎯 This is a rebuke that they gave up, not because they were right, but because they had run out of arguments.
📌 4. Elihu States His Readiness to Speak (verses 15–22)
➡️ Elihu is now ready to speak:
- He feels full and stirred up like new wine in a sealed wineskin
- He wants to speak honestly and without partiality
- He will not flatter anyone, including Job
🎯 Elihu feels moved by the Spirit to bring clarity, and he swears that he will speak what is right without fear.
📖 Main Teaching
- Age does not guarantee wisdom — wisdom comes from the Spirit of God
- When leaders fail to give a just answer, God can use the young
- The courage to speak truth must be joined with purity of motive
- Sometimes a fresh voice is needed to challenge a system that has become stuck
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“Let no one despise you because you are young…”
➡️ Like Elihu, young people too can become a voice of truth.
“The Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say.”
➡️ Elihu depends on the inspiration of the Spirit of God.
“Your sons and your daughters will prophesy…”
➡️ The younger generation is also used by the Lord to declare the truth.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God…”
➡️ Wisdom is not limited by age, but is a gift from the Lord.
🕊️ “It is not the aged who are wise, nor the old who understand justice.” – Job 32:9
🕊️ “I am full of words… I am like new wine, unable to find vent.” – Job 32:18–19
🕊️ “I will show no partiality to anyone and will not flatter.” – Job 32:21
