Read
Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he.
Job 32:4
Reflect
In the story of Job, most people feel bad for him because of how much physical suffering he endures. He loses his possessions, all ten of his children are killed, and his body is covered with painful sores. But one of the biggest things he has to endure is the counsel of his so-called friends.
Three friends come to comfort Job and offer what they believe is wise counsel. Mostly, though, they insist that Job’s suffering must somehow be his own fault and that some hidden sin has caused everything that has happened to him.
Job begins remarkably well. After losing nearly everything, he worships God instead of cursing Him. But as the debate continues and his friends repeatedly accuse him, Job’s defense of himself becomes increasingly forceful. Eventually, he begins portraying himself as entirely blameless and demanding an answer from God about why all of this is happening.
Then Elihu enters the discussion differently. Before offering either criticism or counsel, he listens.
Elihu is the youngest person present, and he has waited while Job and the older men speak. He disagrees with plenty of what he hears, but he does not interrupt them. He allows them to finish before he says anything.
Finally, when the others have run out of answers and Job has finished defending himself, Elihu speaks. Before Elihu used his mouth, he made sure he had used his ears.
That does not mean Elihu believed older people were automatically wiser. In fact, he says that age alone does not guarantee wisdom. True understanding comes from God. But Elihu still recognizes that the older men deserve the respect of being heard before he takes his turn.
And once his turn comes, everyone listens.
Elihu challenges both Job and the three friends and redirects the conversation toward the greatness of God and the limitations of human understanding. Then, immediately after Elihu finishes, God Himself answers Job.
There is something we can learn from Elihu before we ever get into the details of what he said.
How are you at showing respect to others? Do you feel the need to say everything that pops into your mind? Do you interrupt because you are afraid you will lose your chance to speak? Or can you listen carefully, consider what someone else is saying, and wait until the right moment to respond?
That can be especially important when we disagree.
Listening does not mean agreement. Respect does not require surrendering our convictions. Sometimes we may hear something that absolutely needs to be challenged. But wisdom includes knowing not only what to say, but also when to say it.
When we give other people the dignity of being heard, they may be far more willing to listen when our turn comes.
This week, try using your ears twice as much as your mouth. Listen before you respond. Show respect to those who are speaking, and wait for the best opportunity to say what is on your mind.
Then trust the Lord with whether and when your words are heard rather than forcing your way into the conversation.
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Reflection copyright © 2026 Doug DeBolt.
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
