All of Job’s… er… friends… have finished with him and suddenly a new challengers emerges. Elihu — who has apparently been here the whole time — ceases his silence. Frustrated that none of the older men are able to show Job why he is wrong. As a young man I had so many strongly held (though typically poorly informed) opinions and just about any answer you might be seeking. If only people knew they had this fount of knowledge and wisdom standing right in their midst!
Just one small downside. I was kind of an idiot. I had some things right. Some important things. But I had just as many if not more things wrong. And the worst part of it all is the certainty with which I clung to my positions. I lacked at least one virtue: humility.
I think Elihu is in a similar position. He actually has a lot of good things to say and keeps the focus on the Lord and His justice. But He misses some key things… like the fact that God Himself said that Job is the most righteous man alive. He does not have the fullness of knowledge, but acts like he does.
And while this is an easy — and common — trap for the young, we all can find ourselves ensnared in it. Let’s walk humbly. Appealing to the Lord for guidance and clarity. And endeavour to speak the truth with clarity and kindness. Emphasizing grace. Emphasizing love. Emphasizing unity.
It’s as useless to be right the wrong way as is it to just be wrong.