Job - Elihu's Speech (2)

II. The Spirit of God Brings Wisdom, Not Someone's Age

I said, 'Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.' But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right. Therefore I say, 'Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion.' "Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your wise sayings, while you searched out what to say." (Job 32:7-11)

What do these verses tell us about respecting the wisdom of elders? It is important to note that Elihu did give his elders the respect of waiting for them to finish their speeches. Also note that it is not necessarily true that youth brings wisdom either.

There is both a warning and an encouragement here. As grow older, must not assume that ideas we hold the longest are the truest. We must test all things by the standard God has given us – His Word. In 32:8, Elihu credits the "breath of the Almighty" as the source of understanding. We have seen something similar to this verse in the New Testament.

All [pasa = all, every, each] Scripture [graphe] is breathed out by God [theo-pneustos] and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Ti 3:16-17)

Notice that it does not say that what we feel is right is breathed out by God. If you live by your feelings and your own heart, it's paganism. What is the testimony of Scripture concerning our hearts?

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jer 17:9)

This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. (Eccl 9:3)

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Ro 8:7-8)

Remember, there was warning and encouragement. If the spirit of God has filled you with words – don't let youth hinder you. But again, you better make sure that it is the Spirit of God and not your fallen, clouded, corrupt feelings. Test it by Scripture. If there is not a biblical mandate for what we want to say, we should put our hand over our mouth.

Seek counsel from those who give evidence of God's Spirit working in their lives – young or old. Conversely, don't seek counsel from those who have given evidence of trusting in their own hearts and own understanding. There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end will bring him death. Without the anchor of the revealed Word of God, we are adrift with an unreliable guide. In fact, it is a guide bent on guaranteed failure. Let us not lean on our own understanding, but trust the Lord and His Word. Let's next consider what Elihu adds to our understanding of why the righteous suffer.