DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE SOURCE OF WISDOM

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE SOURCE OF WISDOM

"So these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God. Also against his three friends his wrath was aroused, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job." (Job 32:1-3)

What is the source of wisdom? The three "friends," Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, thought they had all the answers to the reason for Job's plight: that he had sinned and that God was judging him for his sin. But their words did not bear any weight because Job was upright before God.

Then along comes Elihu. He was a young man in the company of the three older men, and he said, correctly, "Old men are not always wise, nor do the aged always understand justice" (vs. 9). Wisdom does not necessarily come with age. I can attest to this fact. I have known people younger than I am who had great wisdom. Nor do I think that I am wise just because of my age. Age is not a prerequisite for wisdom. But just because Elihu thinks he is wise does not make him wise. I see several things in Elihu that make me question his wisdom.

First, his counsel flows out of anger. He is angry at Job and he is angry at the other three men. Anger is not a good conduit of wisdom. Even if what a person says is true, if it is spoken in anger, it causes other people to reject it. Elihu's anger was pent up inside of him. He was like a volcano ready to explode. Listen to his admission: "Indeed my belly is like wine that has no vent; it is ready to burst like new wineskins I will speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer" (vss. 19-20). His purpose of sharing his opinion was not to help Job but to make himself feel better. The magma that spews out of the crater may release some internal pressure, but it also blasts other people.

Secondly, he speaks from his own opinion. He admits this in verses 10 and 17: "Listen to me and I will declare my opinion," and, "I also will answer my part, I too will declare my opinion." Everyone has their own opinions, but what makes one person's opinion more valid than another person's? When we are looking for answers, we don't necessarily need opinions. How many times when people face problems are they inundated with advice – "do this" or "do that"? Following other people's opinions leads to confusion. We need to hear what God says.

Thirdly, he (and also the other three) was very loquacious. He confessed, "For I am full of words; the spirit within me compels me" (vs. 18). Wisdom does not need a lot of words to convey truth. Often a terse and concise statement will speak truth more eloquently and powerfully than many words.

So how can we discern true wisdom? Number one, it has to be more than just a man's opinion. It needs to reflect God's thoughts.

Number two, beware of advice spoken in anger. It is probably coming from the flesh. Wisdom cannot just be an explosion of anger that makes the messenger feel good. The motivation has to be for the welfare and betterment of the person receiving the advice.

Number three, beware of long discourses. "In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise" (Proverbs 10:19), or as the NIV translates it, "Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent [or wise] hold their tongues." The NLT is even more straightforward: "Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut."

Since advice is so ubiquitous, we must be discerning, both in giving and in receiving counsel. I want to hear what God says about my situation – not what other people think.

Love, Dad