Job 32:16

_WHEN I HAD WAITED, (FOR THEY SPAKE NOT, BUT STOOD STILL, AND ANSWERED NO MORE;)_ No JFB commentary on this verse....

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 32:16. _WHEN I HAD WAITED_] I waited to hear if they had any thing to reply to Job; and when I found them in effect speechless, then I ventured to come forward....

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

WHEN ONE HAD WAITED,.... To observe whether they would make any reply to what he had said, or any objection to his engaging in the controversy: FOR THEY SPAKE NOT; were as mute as fishes: BUT STOOD STILL; like statues, had no power to move, neither to sit down nor to depart, but were as if all life, sense, and motion, were gone from them: [AND] ANSWERED NO MORE; or not at all; for it does not appear that they had given him any answer before, as well as not now....

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....

Turning from the three friends Elihu seems to speak in soliloquy and present to his own mind the singular situation: the three friends are discomfited before Job and reduced to silence; this should not be; therefore he will express his convictions. His breast is filled with thoughts and emotions that will not be repressed: he must speak, that he may find relief. And he will speak fearlessly and in sincerity, not regarding the person of any man....

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.

THE SPEECHES OF ELIHU It is the view of almost all scholars that the speeches of Elihu are a later addition. The grounds for this view are the following. His presence comes upon the reader with surprise, he is not mentioned with the other friends in the Prologue, and we have had no intimation that he has all the while been listening to the debate. It is still more remarkable that he is not mentioned at the close. Here God passes judgment on Job and the friends, and it is strange that Elihu is ignored. If the author intended Elihu to represent the true view, why did he not represent God as praising him, if not, why is he not condemned with the friends? This silence is the more surprising in view of the contents of the speeches. Elihu blames the friends for the ineffectiveness of their attack, yet he adopts somewhat the same attitude and repeats their arguments, though passing, to some ext...