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Job 32:15-17
15 They were amazed [chathath], they answered [`anah] no
more: they left off [`athaq] speaking [millah].
16 When I had waited [yachal], (for they spake [dabar]
not, but stood still [`amad], and answered [`anah] no more;)
17 I said, I will answer [`anah] also my part [cheleq], I
also will shew [chavah] mine opinion [dea`]. KJV-Interlinear
15 'They are dismayed, they
answer no more; Words have failed them. 16 'And shall I wait, because they do not
speak, Because they stop and answer no more? 17 'I too will answer my share, I also will
tell my opinion. NASB
The book of Job raises a controversy between Job and
his three friends. Each of the three has
their respective say, and Job answers each in turn. When all of their words have come to an end,
the three reject Jobs views as Job rejects their accusations. But, they all come to a silence, with neither
having anything further to say.
Job will not budge from his beliefs. His three friends do not leave, because they
still believe that they are right and nothing has been yet accomplished. So, they all remain silent for a while.
Elihu is a bystander. He has heard all of the
arguments and opinions, and he is furious and frustrated in that he expected
that from four such old and presumably wise men, truth would prevail. Not so.
So, Elihu will begin to voice his beliefs and hope to
resolve the controversy. He will also
fail.
The God will enter into the picture and God will sit
them all back on their respective haunches, setting their open mouths (speaking
or thinking their opinions) in total silence.
Elihu, who is much younger, sat and listened. He did not hear the wisdom he expected to
hear. The four men became silent and now Elihu is agitated and beside himself,
as it were, just filled with energy and bursting with his own thoughts.
Elihu represents the young and knowledgeable, but
still not quite mature individual. He
shoud have remained silent until he could learn and keep learning from the
experience. But as young people go, he
bursts forth with impatience and the frustration of not seeing this controversy
resolved. This is a generation gap
situation.
And that is going to be a picture of life in this
world. Controversies will come and go,
and controversies will continue, and continue and seemingly never end. Get involved with any social group and you
will have your eyes opened at the endless social stresses, gossiping,
ostracisms, power plays and so forth, that never end.
No matter how you try to resolve an issue, there will
be those who will never listen, will never change their minds, who will
continue the controversy forever, or until you just plain quit. And of course that is what they want. For you to quite so they can continue
dominating their little social club activity, or whatever it is that they want
to control. And the young will be
frustrated with the older generation.
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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