Elihu, the 4th Friend, Vents

Job 32:19 Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.

So along comes the 4th “friend” to advise Job. He waits for days for his chance to talk. Out of respect for his elders, he holds his disrespect until they all fall silent for a pregnant period of time.

This is classic. "I can't hold it in anymore, I am going to explode if I don't say something!" I think they named Twitter after this twit.

Immediately, he begins his derogatory treatise against his elders. Against the first three friends because their arguments were weak, against Job because he thinks Job is old and senile in his reasoning.

There is a reason children should be seen and not heard, Elihu removes any doubt this adage is valid.

Once again, they ALL miss the mark by a mile. God is allowing Job to be tested, when that testing is through, he will come forth as purest gold. But these guys think God is punishing Job for some horrible sin. Elihu accuses Job of fighting against God (33:13) but in reality, Job consistently fights for God's honor.

Finally, in his introduction, he has the gall to say to Job, "hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom." (33:33)

Now, I am all for Paul's instruction to young Timothy, when he said, "Let no man despise thy youth." But to reprove a man whom God calls perfect and upright deserves better than this young punk's tirade.

Odd, how these guys were pretty good theologians before any other book of Scripture had ever been written, but they were great at misapplying their theology.

It would have been better if this theological gas bag would have exploded rather than venting on suffering, righteous Job.