This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Job 32:4-5
4 Now Elihu ['Eliyhuw] had waited [chakah] till Job ['Iyowb] had spoken [dabar], because they were elder [zaqen] [yowm] than he.
5 When Elihu ['Eliyhuw] saw [ra'ah] that there was no answer [ma`aneh] in the mouth [peh] of these three [shalowsh] men ['enowsh], then his wrath ['aph] was kindled [charah]. KJV-Interlinear
4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were years older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men his anger burned. NASB
There must have been a significant pause after Job spoke his last words. The three friends, Eliphaz, Zophar and Bildad, had nothing further to say.
Who else was present in Jobs home? We only have these four guests identified within this book. We presume that Jobs wife was present, and of course Job himself. Then since these four men traveled some distance, three of them being older, then we can reasonably assume that there were other people present, people who were among the traveling entourage of the guests.
Elihu is among the youngest of the guests. And though young, he was allowed to sit nearby as the older men spoke. Furthermore, he is allowed to speak, so that indicates that he was acquainted with these men. He was not simply a passerby or a party crasher that no one knew.
Elihu had manners, and even though he disagreed with what had been said by the elders present, he maintained his respect for their years.
Whenever a mix of people are gathered together, then deference should be given to those who are older.
Years does not equate to wisdom. The world is full of older folks who have foolishly wasted their lives and of whom make bad decisions over and over again. But even when wisdom comes up against age, then the elders must be given a degree of respect, regardless of their opinions.
There is an unwritten rule in life, that says, age is the basis for higher position as far as courtesy and respect are concerned. It follows the respect that that is earned and deserved for authority through age, by the mere fact that God has allowed and maintained a person on this earth into his older years.
If God sees fit to keep someone around, then we can only respect His decision and reasons, and their receipt of such blessing.
There is nothing to be gained by being disrespectful of ones elders, and everything to be gained through being respectful and polite, even if you disagree with their views.
