October 20, 2023
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Reading along with us in Job? Here’s today’s reading:
Job 32 (NIV)
Elihu
1 So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. 3 He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.…..Continue Reading
“But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.”
What a beautiful statement, and a beautiful way to describe the Spirit of God, as “the breath of the Almighty”. Appropriate as we read in 2 Tim 3:16 that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
But not only does the Spirit breath out the Word of God, written through the hands of men, but Jesus tells us that the Helper will also give us understanding, just as Elihu says in verse 8…”When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”
And we know that God breathed our very life into us…Genesis 2:7 “then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into hi nostrils the breath of life, and the man become a living creature.”
Even Jesus tells us that “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”
It is exciting to see Elihu reference the Spirit of the Almighty here, because the person and work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christ’s possession is absolutely miraculous! Obviously Elihu had not received the full revelation of Scripture…but yet here he is, given acknowledgement and credit to God’s Spirit.
Elihu`s name means God is Lord. It suggests his desire to exalt the Almighty. His lineage was that he was the son of Barachel the Buzite, the kindred of Ram. Job 32;2. Buz was the brother of Uz and son of Nahor [ Gen. 22;21.] Buz is also mentioned along with Tema and the Arab tribes. [ Jer. 25;23] [ All the Men of the Bible] He refers to himself as young in years as in contrast to the other men who are by his words are very old. He was showing them respect and honor to wait for them to finish. He says that he cannot help but speak for he must give his opinion for he also has much wisdom for he has inspiration from God to speak. He is also very angry to Job for he justified himself and the three friends accused Job but couldn`t prove Job was guilty. He wasn`t going to use flattery but would be truthful. Of course he had limited knowledge but thought he knew more than he actually did. God bless us as we study His Word.
8But it is the spirit in a person,
the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.
Good reminder…
Job 32, catching up….so I sense great anger in Elihu, and I feel like him every day. (confession time)
I am sick and ever-living tired of this America’s government, its immoral decisions, and society. Spoke on a soap box about global warming with Steve and Rick at the retreat. Don’t get me started! Somehow, I caught myself, and calmed down. Honestly, I somehow think my perspective is the only right view, everyone should agree, and if I am forceful enough, it’ll make me feel better. Selfish attitude.
Chapter 32 sets the stage for what is coming from Elihu. He needs to vent, but dude, take a chill pill!
Elihu overtaken with frustration at both Job and Job’s friends enters the conversation. Admittedly he waited out of respect as he is a younger man compared to Job and the others but once he starts he certainly doesn’t hold back making the arguement that just because he is young that doesn’t mean the spirit can’t give him wisdom and discernment. Certainly God can use anyone in his plan man, woman, young, or old, however, whether or not Elihu has something to say from God remains to be seen as of yet because he spent most of the chapter introducing himself more than actually offering any wisdom.
Elihu has something to say……
Job 31
Elihu has been holding back out of respect for the elders that have gone before, but he now defends his right to speak. And as others have already said, how wonderful that we have the Spirit of God and the Word of God that allows even the simple to be wise and for anyone to grow in their understanding of the most important knowledge that anyone can have: the knowledge of God. It is a lesson that we should be open to counsel from anyone, but everyone should be developing their counsel by growing in the Word and the Spirit. Especially seeing that Elihu’s assessment will be wrong as well.
Job 32
It is the Holy Spirit in a person, that makes them wise not their age. It is the pursuit of knowledge, understanding, and righteousness that makes us wise. And, as Job stated earlier, God says “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”