Bible Commentaries
Job 32

Verses 1-22

Job 32:2 . Elihu. The Greek copies read Elihuz, the same as they write Elijah. The critics refer us for his genealogy to Huz the son of Nahor; for Ram is thought to be Abraham; but a similarity of name does not prove affinity. His wrath was kindled. In proof of this he charges Job, through misconstruction, with saying several things which Job never did say. He was angry also with Job’s three friends, because he saw they were vanquished. His speech contains little more than the old arguments new modified.

Job 32:8 . A spirit in man. רוח היא ruach hi, the Spirit himself is in poor frail man. The spirit of prophecy, as the Chaldaic reads. To this text St. Paul evidently alludes in Romans 8:16, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit.” It is this holy afflatus which is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world. It is this endowment of divine grace which enables man to hear and see the gospel light, and which is the principle of regeneration in the heart.

Job 32:18 . I am full of matter, as Psalms 45:1; or the pythonesses, as illustrated in Isaiah 41:23.

Job 32:19 . New bottles. See note on Joshua 9:4. The LXX join the adjective, new, to wine; a liberty which does not disturb the sense. Some think Elihu refers to conjurors and ventriloquists, who seem to speak from their belly.

Job 32:22 . My Maker would soon take me away. Hear this, oh christian minister, when the proud, when the blasphemer, when the seducer, and the avaricious are before you. If you flatter them, you destroy them, and God will soon take you away. Think how Paul reasoned before Felix.

REFLECTIONS.

“We are here taught that modesty and humility are great ornaments to young people. It is their duty to be learners, to hear patiently, and attend to the sentiments of the old and wise; to be diffident of themselves, and shun every thing which has the appearance of vanity and conceit; especially when it appears proper that they should deliver their opinion, let them do it with all deference to the aged, and all the marks of a modest spirit. Age gives men great advantage for improvement in knowledge, and being useful by their advice and instructions. It is naturally expected that their faculties should be strengthened, their stock of ideas enlarged, by reading, reflection, and experience. Therefore the aged should be teachers of good things, and endeavour to instruct the rising generation, in what may be useful to them, and conducive to their true happiness.

Let us consider that our fellow creatures are rational beings as well as ourselves. There is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth him understanding. All the ordinary exercises of reason are here ascribed to the inspiration of the Almighty. Let us be thankful for this gift of God; and pray to him to strengthen our rational faculties, and enable us to judge and speak aright. This consideration should preserve the aged from a supercilious treatment of the young, that they have reason, as well as their fathers; and some are wiser at twenty than others at sixty. Every man has a right to judge for himself, and ought to be allowed a liberty of speech. Those who pretend to dictate to the world, and would have every one be as they are, and believe just as they believe, should consider that others are rational creatures as well as themselves, and have equal access to the oracles of divine wisdom. Let us therefore learn to hear with candour, judge with temper, and never deny to others those rights and privileges which we claim to ourselves.

The fear of God should also engage us to deal plainly with men, in all matters of importance, particularly in those where religion and happiness are concerned. Excess of compliment is an utter enemy to truth and wisdom. It is especially a lesson to ministers, not to prophesy smooth things for fear of giving offence, but to address men’s consciences with all plainness and affection united; remembering their Maker, who has declared that he will take away all flattering lips, and every deceitful tongue. In the mean time it will be found, as Solomon observes, that he who reproveth a man, afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.”