Verses 1-3, 5
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Job's integrity had caused him to question whether God was right to allow him to suffer. He justified himself by claiming he was undeserving of his afflictions. In essence, Job ventured into an attitude of self-righteousness. This became his one clear error.
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Job's friends, on the other hand, had a fatal flaw in their haste to denounce Job even though they could not accurately nor persuasively explain why he was wrong.
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We can learn two things from this:
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1. To avoid self-righteousness, do not think of yourself as deserving of better when you endure hardships. It is pride to take on this attitude.
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2. Do not correct someone impulsively or out of an emotional reaction. Correct only if you have a clear, biblical backing for your claims, and a biblical solution to the problem you're confronting.
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Verses 4, 6-16
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Elihu is a young man confronting old men. He was wise and respectful to listen closely and to wait until now to speak.
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When you find yourself in situations where several people are advising someone, listen and wait patiently. Don't interrupt nor be hasty to impose your opinion. Fully hear the matter before you think to speak (Proverbs 18:13). Listening to speech and hearing replies will help you better understand what is needed when it is your turn to speak. And when you do speak, make sure it comes from biblical wisdom!
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Notice that “age should speak, and the multitude of years should teach wisdom” (verse 7). There is a form of wisdom that comes from years of life, but not everyone who is old possesses it.
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If you know you are in need of wisdom, do ask believers who are older than you to give you counsel. In most cases, you will find wisdom from those who have experienced more life.
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But where wisdom is not gained through years, it can be gained through the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:9-10, Proverbs 2:6).
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Elihu is inferring that the wisdom he will give does not come from his years, since he is young, but from insight granted to Him from God.
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Verses 17-20
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Elihu, it seems, was convicted by his spirit to speak. Holding back words felt like the pressure of gases from wine fermentation building up without vent. Jeremiah, the prophet, said holding back his words, which were from the Lord, felt “like a burning fire shut up in his bones” (Jeremiah 20:9). The apostle Paul had moments where his spirit compelled him to speak or act (Acts 17:16).
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There are moments when our own human spirit will convict us to act. Ignoring these convictions, especially when they are strong, can produce significant turmoil. And relief only comes if we take action.
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In any case, if in your conscience you feel that you should or shouldn't do something, this is often your own spirit trying to guide you. As long as you know the conviction is biblically sound, obey it!
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Verses 21-22
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The sin of showing partiality can mean knowing a full truth, which someone needs to hear, but holding back some of it to avoid offense or disapproval. Holding back a full truth is also a form of flattery.
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Do not flatter others (Romans 16:18, Proverbs 26:28). If someone needs to hear something—something that you know will help them—and you have a chance to say it, don't withhold words!
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