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Job 32:6-10
6 And Elihu ['Eliyhuw] the son [ben] of Barachel [Barak'el] the Buzite [Buwziy] answered [`anah] and said ['amar], I am young [tsa`iyr] [yowm], and ye are very old [yashiysh]; wherefore I was afraid [zachal], and durst [yare'] not shew [chavah] you mine opinion [dea`].
7 I said ['amar], Days [yowm] should speak [dabar], and multitude [rob] of years [shaneh (in pl. only),] should teach [yada`] wisdom [chokmah].
8 But ['aken] there is a spirit [ruwach] in man ['enowsh]: and the inspiration [nashamah] of the Almighty [Shadday] giveth them understanding [biyn].
9 Great men [rab] are not always wise [chakam]: neither do the aged [zaqen] understand [biyn] judgment [mishpat].
10 Therefore I said ['amar], Hearken [shama`] to me; I also will shew [chavah] mine opinion [dea`]. KJV-Interlinear
6 So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite spoke out and said, 'I am young in years and you are old; Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you what I think. 7 'I thought age should speak, And increased years should teach wisdom. 8 'But it is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding. 9 'The abundant in years may not be wise, Nor may elders understand justice. 10 'So I say, 'Listen to me, I too will tell what I think.' NASB
Just as the three friends fell short of wisdom, but had enough knowledge to teach us all a great deal of Bible doctrine, so too, Elihu will be able to teach us all a great deal of truth, even though when he is all done speaking, he too will be somewhat off base in the application of his opinions regarding Job.
Elihu was younger than the others. He was probably much younger, as here he states that he was uncomfortable and even hesitant to speak in the first place. The other day, we suggested that he was half their age. But he could very well have been much younger.
Is was not uncommon in many cultures for the youngsters to remain quiet in the presence of their elders. In fact, any form of speaking, unless specifically addressed, was strictly prohibited.
This might be a great rule to return to in our present day. But then there are some things that are indeed impossible!!
Anyway, this gives us some insight as to Elihu's upbringing, and the character of child training in those ancient times. Elihu does not sound as though he has been abused in his younger years, only well trained in manners and respect. Something that seems to be generally lacking in our present generation.
But Elihu does have some spunk about him.
Even though he has refrained from speaking until everyone has finished, he still has some very keen insight. And he is not shy about speaking his mind now that he has begun talking.
Is wisdom automatic with age? No. And Elihu makes that point clear. Just because one has grown old, does not mean that the elder has wisdom.
God placed the spirit of man in man. This would be the human life force, which occupies the soul of every living human being. Note that the life of man did not come from any biological source, but from God. And by the way, when a person dies, all components return back to their original source. The body to the grave and decay (that is biological) and the soul and spirit return back to God from whence they originated.
Even though man possesses life, that does not mean that he will be smart. And Elihu makes that point clear also. Wisdom comes from God as well. Wisdom does not originate with man. Wisdom does not originate with any biological function (genetics, IQ, etc.). Wisdom does not come from any source on this earth.
Wisdom comes only from God, and God delivers wisdom through Bible doctrine.
Man can learn all of the knowledge of this universe, but will ever gain wisdom. Man can learn all of the quotes, sayings, proverbs, quips and so forth, and never gain one ounce of wisdom.
Man is not born with wisdom. Man cannot gain wisdom through the experiences of life. By simply living a very long time, man does not automatically gain wisdom.
Prov. 2:6
6 For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. NASB
Wisdom is in fact the single most elusive attribute of life, and yet wisdom is the supernatural attribute of the spiritual life.
By merely being saved, residing in fellowship, and pursuing ones daily Bible studies, by reading all of the 'In the beginnings…,' all of the 'begats,' all of the 'thee's and thou's,' and so forth, then the sovereignty of God makes something extremely simple in life (your daily study), into the most powerful life builder in existence.
For those who pursue their spiritual life, this truth becomes evident. For those who do not have the time for their spiritual life, all of this is nonsense.
