Daily Devotions
Elihu, and the Wisdom of Youth
Reading for June 10th: Job 32-34
Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.
Job 32:4-5
The question the book of Job is not why the righteous suffer. The book does not answer that question for us. The question it answers is where wisdom is found (Job 28:12, 20).
The friends of Job believed they had wisdom. The appealed to the wisdom of the elders (8:8-10; 15:10); wisdom from observation (4:8; 5:3, 27; 15:17; 20:4); and even direct revelation (4:12-17).
What Elihu offers us is the wisdom of youth. Though it can be argued that he brings some new thoughts to the book (at least in emphasis), his theology is essentially the same as his elders. He believes God is just in punishing Job for his sins (33:8-12).
But it's Elihu's attitude that is most disturbing. Read through chapter 32 and observe the pride as he describes his anger toward his elders and his desire to do what Job's friends failed to do in answering Job.
This is a warning to those of us who are young. As much as we think we know more than our elders, we're not as smart as we think. At the end of this great book God answers the question of where wisdom is found: it's only found in him (ch 38-42).
Father, give those of us who are young the wisdom to fear your name and realize the limitations of our creaturely wisdom.
