Job 32:15

_THEY WERE AMAZED, THEY ANSWERED NO MORE: THEY LEFT OFF SPEAKING._ Here Elihu turns from the friends to Job, and so passes from the second person to the third; a transition frequent in a rebuke (Job 18:3). THEY LEFT OFF - `words were taken from them,' (cf. margin)...

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 wrath 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....

Verse Job 32:15. _THEY WERE AMAZED_] Mr. _Good_ translates: "They (the _speeches_) are dissipated; they no longer produce effect; the words have flirted away from them." Your words, being without proper reference and point, are scattered into thin air: there is nothing but _sound_ in them; they are quite destitute of _sense_. But I prefer the words as spoken of Job's _friends_. They took their several parts in the controversy as long as they could hope to maintain their ground: for a considerable time they had been able to bring nothing _new_; at last, weary of their own _repetitions_, they gave up the contest....

THEY WERE AMAZED - There also are the words of Elihu, and are designed to express his astonishment that the three friends of Job did not answer him. He says that they were completely silenced, and he repeats this to call attention to the remarkable fact that men who began so confidently, and who still held on to their opinion, had not one word more to say. There is some reason to suppose, from the change of person here from the second to the third, that Elihu turned from them to those who were present, and called their attention to the fact that the friends of Job were completely silenced. This supposition, however, is not absolutely necessary, for it is not uncommon in Hebrew poetry to change from the second person to the third, especially where there is any censure or rebuke implied; compare Job 18:4. They left off speaking -...

EXPOSITION A new personage is now introduced upon the scene, who speaks in a new style and almost in a new language. No previous mention has been made of him; no subsequent notice is taken of his arguments; and nothing is said of him in the historical section wherewith the work concludes (Job 42:7). It is therefore scarcely surprising that some exception has been taken to the genuineness of the entire passage (Job 32-37), or that it has been regarded by many excellent critics as an interpolation into the Book of Job, made by one who was not the original author, at a date considerably later than the rest of tile composition. A modification of this extreme view is suggested by M. Renan, who thinks that the original author may have added the passage in his old age. This view is entitled to consideration. The subject has been discussed at some length in the Introduction, so that no mor

THEY WERE AMAZED,.... They were like persons thunderstruck, quite surprised and astonished to hear a young man talk after this manner: THEY ANSWERED NO MORE; as they had ceased to answer Job, they did not undertake to answer Elihu, who had plainly told them their arguments were not convincing, their answers were no answers, and that they had done a wrong thing in condemning Job without proof; and that which they thought their greatest wisdom, and strongest argument, had no wisdom nor strength in it; namely, which was taken from his sore afflictions by the hand of God: THEY LEFT OFF SPEAKING; or words departed from them, as Jarchi; their speech left them, they seemed deprived of it: Mr. Broughton renders the whole, "they shrink away, do speak no more, speeches be departed from them.''...

CHAPTER S 32--33:7 _ 1. Elihu introduced (Job 32:1)_ 2. I waited, but now must speak (Job 32:6) 3. His address to Job (Job 33:1) Job 32:1. As Elihu had listened to the different addresses his wrath was stirred up. His name is very suggestive. Elihu means “my God is He”; Barachel--”the Blessed God”; the Buzite, “the rejected One” of Ram, and Ram means “exalted.” These are names which find their fullest application in the person of our Lord, whom Elihu in his mediatorial work represents. But why was his wrath kindled? Because Job justified himself rather than God and because Job's friends had found no solution of the problem, yet they c

If the friends have nothing to say, that is no reason for Elihu's silence. He is full of words, and must give them vent. The fear of God will prevent his showing partiality....

_they left off speaking_ lit. _words have removed_, or, _are gone from them_(Genesis 12:8) they are reduced to silence....

TEXT 32:11-22 11 BEHOLD, I WAITED FOR YOUR WORDS, I listened for your reasonings, Whilst ye searched out what to say. 12 Yea, I attended onto you, And, behold, there was none that convinced Job, Or that answered his words, among you. 13 Beware lest ye say, We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not man: 14 For he hath not directed his words against me; Neither will I answer him with your speeches. 15 They are amazed, they answer no more: They have not a word to say. 16 And shall I wait, because they speak not, Because they stand still, and answer no more? 17 I also will answer my part, I also will show mine opinion. 18 For I am full of words; The spirit within me constraineth me. 19 Behold, my breast is as wine which hath no vent; Like new wine-skins it is ready to burst. 20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed; I will open my lips and answer.