Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Job
Book: Job
Chapter: 32
Overview:
Elihu is displeased at the dispute between
Job and his
friends.
(1-5) He reproves them.
(6-14) He speaks without
partiality.
(15-22)
1-5 Job's friends were silenced, but not convinced. Others had
been present.
Elihu was justly displeased with
Job, as more
anxious to clear his own character than the
Justice and
Goodness
of
God.
Elihu was displeased with
Job's friends because they had
not been candid to
Job. Seldom is a quarrel begun, more seldom
is a quarrel carried
On, in which there are not faults
On both
sides. Those that seek for
Truth, must not reject what is true
and good
On either side, nor approve or defend what is wrong.
6-14 Elihu professes to speak
By the
Inspiration of the Holy
Spirit, and corrects both parties. He allowed that those who had
the longest experience should speak first. But
God gives
Wisdom
as he pleases; this encouraged him to state his opinion.
By
attention to the
Word of God, and dependence upon the Holy
Spirit, young men may become wiser than the aged; but this
Wisdom will render them swift to hear, slow to speak, and
disposed to give others a patient hearing.
15-22 If we are sure that the
Spirit of
God suggested what we
are about to say, still we ought to refrain, till it comes to
our turn to speak.
God is the
God of order, not of confusion. It
is great refreshment to a good
Man, to speak for the
Glory of
the
Lord, and to edify others. And the more we consider the
majesty of
God, as our Maker, and the more we dread his wrath
and
Justice, the less shall we sinfully fear or flatter men.
Could we set the
Lord always before us, in his mercies and
his terrors, we should not be moved from doing our duty in
whatever we are called to do.