You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth.
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.
Now is the time to post a prayer.
End Of Lesson
Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth.
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