Daily Devotion for Lent 2025, Day 31

Today's Reading: Job, Chapter Thirty-two

We have the first appearance of Elihu who is younger than Job and his three friends.  It may be important to note that Elihu was not listed among those who sat with Job for a full week in silence before speaking up.

Elihu has observed decorum and allowed his elders to speak up first.

However, it seems that he has held back as long as he possibly could!

Is this how Job sees Elihu?

His impetuousness reminds me a bit of Mark Twain's quote, "When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years." 

He seems frustrated that Job has had the final word, seemingly to silence his three friends once more.  It could be that they were worn out.  It could be that they had compassion on their friend and refused to argue any longer.  It may be that they were considering Job's point of view.

Elihu believes that Job's friends are not properly standing up for God's defense.  And so, he must speak or he will burst!

What's interesting is that if your worldview is that God will punish the impertinent, why would you feel the need to defend God?  It may be that Elihu desires to become the instrument of God's justice!

Job has lifted up what that justice looks like in the previous chapter - providing aid to the stranger, the naked, the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner.  Notice that Elihu isn't bursting at the seams to help these as instruments of God's justice!  It may be a lot more desirable to set this arrogant old man in his place (who is still grieving the loss of his children).

Why is it more preferable to argue than to help someone?

This chapter is helpful in that we might ask ourselves, have I been caught up in outrage?  And if so, how is this easier than engaging with my neighbors in need?

Prayer for the day:

All-merciful, tender God, you have given birth to our world, conceiving and bearing all that lives and breathes.  We come to you as your children, aware of our aggression and anger, our drive to dominate and manipulate others.  We ask you to forgive us, and by the gentle touch of your Spirit help us to find a renewed sense of compassion, that we may truly live as your people in service to all.  Amen.

Prayer by Janet Weller, England, 20th Century

Photo by Julian King via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.