Eli who? No, Elihu! Elihu was a young man who reproved the elder Job and his three friends for lack of wisdom. We read in Job 32, “Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu…against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.” Can you imagine that? That would be like one of our younger people reprimanding one of their elders or respected men in the church. Well, Elihu was very nervous about it as he states, “I am young, and ye are old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should speak wisdom. But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. Therefore I said, hearken unto me; I will give you my opinion.” These are truly the words spoken by a man with a strong faith and good conscience. He knows that wisdom comes only from God and we all share that wisdom through God’s indwelling Spirit. The Holy Spirit pricked him in his heart to speak out in accordance with his Christian convictions. If he hadn’t spoken out, God’s wrath would have been kindled against him as well as Job and his three friends.
How about you, young people? Are you ready to give your opinion? Does your opinion mean anything? Does your opinion contain the wisdom from on high? Elihu did not merely give his own opinion, but he gave a testimony from God! Through much Bible reading, prayer, and of course the inworking of the Holy Spirit, we too will be ready to give a testimony from God. In Titus we read, “Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing theyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned…These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”
Young people, I am not encouraging you to be “trouble makers.” I am not saying that you must argue doctrine with our professors, pastors, elders, teachers and whomever. But I am telling you that you must know your doctrine and what constitutes Christian charity; and therefore be ready to defend what you believe. Naturally, you must exercise a certain amount of Christian liberty and not be ready to point fingers, but let your views, thoughts and ideas be known. By discussing your beliefs with others, hopefully you will search the Scriptures and either strengthen those beliefs or stand corrected through the grace of God. Don’t be afraid of being wrong either, for it is better to stand corrected than to be spiritually unsound.
At times it becomes necessary to do more than discuss your opinion. You must declare God’s wisdom! Elihu became angry because he knew Job and his three friends were talking as foolish men and did not seek the wisdom of God. As soon as Elihu pointed out that wisdom comes from God and not man’s vain talk, they became dumbfounded or ashamed. In Job 32:13-15 we read, “Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down…he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches. They were amazed…they left off speaking.” A cross-reference to verse 32 is Jeremiah 9:23 where we read, “Thus saith the Lord, let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches.” Elihu further points out that when it comes to declaring God’s wisdom, no man will restrain him from speaking. “Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away” (Job 32:21-22).
Be careful to declare God’s wisdom and not your own. State only the truth and remember, “a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words” (Ecc. 5:3). You must be humble when defending the truth. “Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility, for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (I Pet. 5:5). When God’s wisdom is mocked, it becomes a sin to keep silent and a sin to speak proudly or hypocritically. If you remain silent, is it because you don’t want to be a hypocrite or are you afraid of man? If you speak proudly, aren’t you declaring more than God’s wisdom?
When it comes time to make a stand, the easiest solution is to ignore it or forget about it. Your conscience will tell you to witness, but you either are afraid or just don’t care enough. If you are afraid because you lack confidence, ask the Lord for courage and wisdom. “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the things which are mighty” (I Cor. 1:27). “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (I Cor. 2:13).
Young people, love the Lord and be zealous in your faith as Elihu. “For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me. Behold my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles. I will speak that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer” (Job 32:18-20).