Podcast 46, Stories of the Bible, “The Book of Job, Ch 32” Episode

Podcast 46, Stories of the Bible, “The Book of Job, Ch 32”In Chapter 32 we are introduced to a new character, Elihu. He is younger than Job and his three friends. Apparently Elihu has been present from the beginning but because of his youth, he remained silent. However, his outburst demonstrates almost uncontrolled passion for he is angry with Job for proclaiming his own righteousness, and he is angry at Bildad, Eliphaz, and Zophar for keeping silent. The first verse in Chapter 32 is unique. Many of the other chapters began with identifying the speaker For example, Chapter 29 begins, “Moreover Job continued his parable, and said.” Chapter 25 begins, “Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said.” Chapter 22 begins: “Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said.” And Chapter 20 begins: “Then answered Zophar the Naamanthite, and said.”  You may easily discern the pattern. They are very formal. Contrast that with the beginning of Chapter 32:Job 32:1So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.Job has finally silenced his friends. That enrages the youthful Elihu. He is angry at Job and his three friends. The introductory section is dominated by the phrase, “kindled the wrath.”Job 32:2-5 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. Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he. When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.Four times the kindling of his wrath is mentioned is as many verses. Repetition often gives emphasis. He is angry at Job because he appeared to justify himself, and to Elihu one can only be justified by God. He is angry at Job’s three friends because they remain silent. Now, and it is no coincidence the narrative falls right back into the old pattern. Compare the following introduction with those mentioned above. Job 32:6And 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. Order is restored to the Narrative and Elihu, following the pattern of the others presents his well-organized argument. With the use of step parallelism, repetition of words or phrases, Elihu divides his argument into four phases. The introductory phase is “I said” with one variation, “I will speak.” I shall use the above pattern in discussing Elihu’s argument.Job 32:7-9I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.We may assume Elihu is genuinely respectful for he has sat through the entire argument silently until the three friends remained silent when Elihu thought they should have spoken. Elihu appears to be a pious and dedicated religious thinker albeit less dignified than Job and even the other three friends. He introduces a very important doctrine, “There is a spirit in man.” That is a fundamental Christian principle. In the creation story, the “breath of life” refers to God placing Adam’s spirit into his body. Furthermore, Elihu declares, “The Almighty giveth them understanding.” Circumstances show that Elihu is correct in chastising Bildad, Eliphaz, and Zophar for they are consistently disingenuous in their accusations against Job which are false. But Elihu’s anger is misplaced even against the other three friends.