Only God Himself could answer the questions Job had asked. But, as often happens...
Only God Himself could answer the questions Job had asked. But, as often happens, a human being got ahead of God, and before God spoke, Job had to listen to the heated speech of young Elihu, who until now had remained silent out of respect for his elders (vv. 4-5). His heat was caused by anger, anger both at Job, who in Elihu's opinion considered himself more righteous than God, and at his three friends, who to Elihu's great annoyance seemed unable to answer Job properly (vv. 2-3). But Elihu is not simply young; he represents a clearly marked type of religious charismatic. He evidently sets against the established tradition, sanctified by authorities and long-standing wisdom, the "breath of the Almighty" that gives a person "understanding," true knowledge and comprehension of reality (vv. 6-8). He accuses his older interlocutors of having given Job no answer on the merits, limiting themselves only to traditional, generally accepted opinions that, as Elihu thinks, proved insufficient in this case (vv. 11-13). What irritates Elihu most of all is precisely the fact that Job's friends eventually fell silent, leaving it to God to refute Job's words (v. 13).
Meanwhile, this decision is explained by the fact that Job's friends truly had exhausted all their arguments. According to the author of the Book of Job, they stopped objecting to Job precisely because he was "righteous in his own eyes" (v. 1). Such a position really does make any further discussion useless, regardless of whether the person is actually right or not. In that case only God can persuade a person if he is mistaken, or confirm his rightness if he is right after all. But this is exactly what does not satisfy Elihu. It is clear that he thinks Job's friends did not say to Job everything they could have said, sparing him because he is their friend and because he suffers (vv. 14-15). Elihu himself says directly that he is not going to flatter or be hypocritical, that he will say everything and will not stop when the matter concerns truth (vv. 21-22). Such statements impose obligations, but Elihu is not afraid, as one can see, and he is not afraid precisely because he is a charismatic: he cannot be silent. The words that Elihu himself is sure come from God are pressing inside him (v. 19). He himself will feel better if he speaks out (v. 20).
Such a state, of course, leaves little room for hearing one's interlocutor. Moreover, the desire to speak one's mind sometimes makes even God fall silent, and He too needs silence in order to be heard, not so much external silence as internal silence. Be that as it may, before hearing God Himself, Job will have to listen to one of His ardent, though perhaps uninvited, defenders, who has so unexpectedly inserted himself into the conversation.
32 Some account of Elihu, and his sentiments concerning the dispute between Job and his friends, Job 32:1-5.
He excuses his own youth, Job 32:6-10.
and pleads, that he had heard all they had to say, Job 32:11-13.
That he had something new to offer, Job 32:14-17.
Could not refrain from speaking, Job 32:18-20.
And would speak impartially, Job 32:21-22.
32:1 Because - So they said: but they could not answer him.
32:2 The Buzite - Of the posterity of Buz, Nahor's son, Gen 22:21.Ram - Or, of Aram; for Ram and Aram are used promiscuously; compare Ki2 8:28 Job 32, Ch2 22:5, .His pedigree is thus particularly described, partly for his honour, as being both a wise and good man, and principally to evidence the truth of this history. He justified - Himself not without reflection upon God, as dealing severely with him, he took more care to maintain his own innocency, than God's glory. The word Elihu signifies, my God is he. They had all tried in vain to convince Job: but my God is he who both can and will do it.
32:3 No answer - To Job's arguments as to the main cause.Condemned - As a bad man.
32:4 'Till Job - And his three friends.
32:6 Afraid - Of being thought forward and presumptuous.
32:8 Spirit - The spirit of God. Giveth - To whom he pleaseth.
32:9 Judgment - What is just and right.
32:12 Convinced - By solid and satisfactory answers.
32:13 Left - God thus left you to your own weakness, lest you should ascribe the conquering or silencing of Job to your own wisdom.God - This is alleged by Elihu, in the person of Job's three friends; the sense is, the judgments which are upon Job, have not been brought upon him by man originally, but by the hand of God, for his gross, though secret sins: but, saith Elihu, this argument doth not satisfy me, and therefore bear with me if I seek for better.
32:19 Bottles - Bottles of new wine.
32:22 I know not - The more closely we eye the majesty of God as our maker, the more we dread his wrath and justice, the less danger shall we be in of a sinful fearing or flattering of men.