Elders v Juniors

Job 32. He justified himself rather than G-d - that is, Job took more care and pains to clear himself from the accusation of unrighteousness in being thus afflicted than to clear G-d from the charge of unrighteousness in afflicting him. A gracious heart is jealous for the honour of G-d, and cannot but be angry when that is neglected or postponed, or when any injury is done it. Nor is it any breach of the Law of meekness to be angry at our friends when they are offensive to G-d. Elihu owned Job to be a good man, and yet would not say as he said when he thought he said amiss: it is too great a compliment to our friends not to tell them of their faults.
Waited to speak because they were elder - rules of precedence must be observed, for the keeping of order, since every man will think himself or his friend the wisest and worthiest, this can afford no certain rule for the outward ceremonial honour, which therefore must attend seniority either of age or office; and this respect the seniors may the better require because they paid it when they were juniors, and the juniors may the better pay because they shall have it when they come to be seniors.
Mine Opinion - It becomes us to be suspicious of our own judgment in matters of doubtful disputation, to be swift to hear the sentiments of others and slow to speak our own, especially when we go contrary to the judgment of those for whom, upon the score of their learning and goodness, we justly have a reverence.
Days shall speak – days refer to age and experience give a man great advantage in judging of things, both as they furnish a man with so much the more matter for his thoughts to work upon and as they ripen and improve the facilities he is to work with, which is a good reason why elderly people should take pains both to learn themselves and to teach others (else the advantages of their age are a criticism to them), and why young people should attend on their instructions.
Spirit – G-d’s Spirit, neither material itself nor dependent upon matter, but capable of conversing with things spiritual, which are not the objects of sense. It is an understanding Spirit. It is able to discover and receive truth, to discourse and reason upon it, and to direct and rule accordingly. It is the same Spirit which sanctifies, the same Spirit that seals, and the same Spirit that lives and works in the believer, guiding him by His counsel till it leads him into glory. In this one saying, independently of the above paraphrase, Elihu spoke more sense and sound doctrine than all Job's friends did in the whole of the argument.
Understanding - Elihu was obviously speaking about himself, for those that have heard may speak, and those that have learned may teach. As that which enabled him to pass a judgment upon what they had said, he had observed what they aimed at, and therefore knew what to say to it. Though he had so much respect to his friends as not to interrupt them with his speaking, yet he had so much regard to truth and justice (his better friends) as not to betray them by his silence.
Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
[Great – rather old, ‘greater, less’ for the older, and the younger, that those who are advanced above others in splendor and seriousness do not always proportionally go beyond them in knowledge and wisdom, it is a pity but they were, for then they would never do hurt with their greatness and would do so much the more good with their wisdom. Better is a poor and wise child then an old and foolish king, Eccl. 4:13. 3.
Understand judgment - The aged do not always understand judgment (what is right); even they may be mistaken, and therefore must not expect to bring every thought into obedience to them: nay, therefore they must not take it as an affront to be cancel out, but rather take it as a kindness to be instructed, by their juniors.]
We have found out wisdom - We by dint of our own wisdom and understanding, have found out the true system of G-d's fate; and have been able to account for all the sufferings and tribulations of Job. Had they been able to confute Job, they would have triumphed over him in their own self-sufficiency.
Neither will I answer - I must show you that this is a false theory and that Job may be convinced without maintaining it. It is time to speak when we hear errors advanced and disputed for, especially under pretence of supporting the cause of G-d with them. It is time to speak when G-d’s judgments are vouched for the belittling of men’s pride and passion and their unjust uncharitable fault of their brethren; then we must speak on G-d’s behalf. That he had something new to offer, and would try to manage the dispute in a better manner than it had hitherto been managed. The controversy that has already been fully handled a wise man will let alone, unless he can amend and improve what has been done; why should he do that which has been done already?
They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.
Amazed - being much surprised at the admirable mixture of boldness and modesty that appeared in Elihu’s preface.
Left off speaking - When aged men are drawn dry, they had been able to bring nothing new; at last, weary of their own repetitions, they gave up the contest, G-d can raise up others, even young men, and fill them with matter for the edifying of His Believers; for it is a subject that can never be exhausted, though those that speak upon it may.
For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
[I am full of matter - That he had a great deal to say, having carefully attended to all that has till now been said, and made my own reflections upon it.
The Spirit within me constrainedth me - How similar to the words of Paul! The love of the Messiah constraineth us. Elihu considered himself under the influence of that Spirit of G-d which gives understanding, and felt anxiously concerned for the welfare both of Job and his friends.]
Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.
[My belly - The Spirit within me not only instructs me what to say, but puts me on to say it; so that if I have not vent such a uproar are my thoughts in I shall burst like bottles of new wine when it is working.
New bottles - Bottles, or rather bags, made of goat-skins. The head and shanks being cut off, the animal is cased out of the skin. The skin is then properly dressed; the anus and four shank holes properly tied up; and an opening left at the neck or in some other place for the liquor to be poured in, and drawn out. They are used, not only to carry wine and water, but for butter, and also for various dry goods. When the wine is in a state of fermentation, and the skin has no vent, these bottles or bags are ready to burst; and if they be old, the new wine destroys them, breaks the old stitching, or rends the old skin. Our L-rd makes use of the same figure in Matt. 9:17.
What a great grief it is to a good minister to be silenced and thrust into a corner, being full of matter, full of the Messiah and full of heaven, and would speak of these things for the good of others, but they may not.]
I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
[I will speak - not only that I may be eased of the pain of stifling my thoughts, but that I may have the pleasure of endeavoring, according to my place and capacity, to do good.
I will open my lips and answer - In the preceding verse Elihu compares himself to a skin-bottle, in which the wine was in a state of fermentation and the bottle ready to burst for want of vent. He carries on the metaphor in this verse: the bottle must be opened to save it from bursting; I will OPEN my mouth.
It is great refreshment to a good person to have liberty to speak for the glory of G-d and the edification of others.]
Neither let me give flattering titles unto man - It means to give proud titles to persons who are worthless, titles expressive of office, clerical, civil, or military, are always proper, and never forbidden, because they serve for distinction.
Today titles given to some people where not earned, and many times self promotion; on the other hand to the ones that were pursuant and full of dedication it was not given.
Vain titles were given to worthless people from time immemorial; and no wonder, for hypocrisy entered into man at the same time that sin entered into the world. Then there are people that promote themselves while yet novices.
Their kings they clothe in all the attributes of the Deity, when both in their public and private character they are corrupt and unholy, rascals in grain, and the ruthless oppressors of suffering humanity.
For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.
I know not - The more closely we eye the majesty of G-d as our maker, the more we dread His wrath and justice, the less danger shall we be in of a sinful fearing or flattering of men.
My maker - He is my Maker; He made me to know truth, to tell truth, and to live according to truth; for He is the G-d of truth: I shall, therefore through His help, speak the TRUTH, the WHOLE TRUTH, and NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH.
Soon take me away - It is good to keep ourselves in awe with a holy fear of G-d’s judgments. He that made us will take us away in His wrath if we do not conduct ourselves as we should. He hates all dissimulation and flattery, and will soon put lying lips to silence and cut off flattering lips, Ps. 12:3.]