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Job 32:1
1 So these three [shalowsh] men ['enowsh] ceased [shabath] to answer [`anah] Job ['Iyowb], because he was righteous [tsaddiyq] in his own eyes [`ayin]. KJV-Interlinear
1 Then these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. NASB
The argument is over, but the three friends have not been convinced of Jobs argument. In their eyes, Job is a self-righteous man. And that is what this verse conveys. They figure that Job is never going to change his mind, never going to see the validity of their argument, never going to acknowledge his evil errors, and therefore never going to return to his former self.
And oddly enough, it is they who have the problem, not Job. We already have Gods testimony regarding Job. He is Gods servant and there is none like him in all the land.
Job has demonstrated a thorough knowledge of doctrine. Job has articulated his argument better than his friends, and it is Job who is suffering a horrendous illness, not they.
A fourth friend, a much younger person, Elihu, will now enter into the picture. Being present throughout this conversation, but remaining silent, Elihu will demonstrate that he too, has some knowledge of God, of life, and of human nature. But again, Elihu will miss some very important points of doctrine.
Despite Elihu's deficiencies, we will learn a great deal of doctrine from his words. All of which point to a thorough availability of knowledge even back in those very ancient days in human history.
Job spoke the truth throughout this conversation. His friends heard his words, but they are so entrenched in their worldly views, that they reject Jobs words. You might recall that the meanings of their names and residences speak of their earthly opinions. All of which, though they resemble truth, amount to subtle distortions of truth in so far as they do not relate to reality.
Elihu will attempt to straighten everyone out with his aristocratic viewpoint. But, as God will later ignore all that Elihu says, his words will fail to change any of the facts of Jobs life or of his circumstances. Elihu will pose more questions than answers. And in that sense he will imitate the modern day liberal point of view, challenging everything and solving nothing.
