Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became angry. He was angry at Job because he justified himself rather than God; he was angry also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he.

Job 32: 2-4, RSV 

I like Elihu! He was a polite young man who had apparently been listening to the conversation between Job and the three "friends" for quite a while. He had listened how the three friends had accused Job of all sorts of sin. He had listened to Job as he claimed that he had not sinned, but that God had unjustly brought all of his travails upon him anyway. Job and friends went around and around, repeating the same old arguments with greater and greater force, becoming further and further entrenched in their own beliefs, yet not accomplishing a thing.

So Elihu, a young person such as yourself, has finally had enough. He has been waiting a long while to speak and he is about to burst with important information that will bring enlightenment to the whole argument. "Yeah, right!" we might sarcastically be thinking... but we would be wrong! For Elihu really did have important words of wisdom that would not only benefit Job and his three friends, but those of us in our modern times as well.

Elihu began by pointing out that despite, Job's plight, God owed him no explanation. He pointed out that despite Job's claim that he could not talk to God, that he could indeed do so in prayer. And then this young man began to expound upon the power of God in such a way that would have silenced an atheist science professor. In short Elihu revealed that Job was wrong, his three friends were incompetent and wrong, that God was right and owed man nothing, but gave man everything that he could rightfully desire including a second chance, and that God's awesome power demanded respect and honor.

Pretty wise words for a young man! Elihu then revealed something very important when it comes to wisdom: Wisdom does not necessarily come to the aged or from the aged. Instead, wisdom comes from God and is given to those who are attentive to its message. Righteous Job had forgotten that simple but powerful message.

And it took a true friend to reveal to him this powerful truth!

"He does not answer when men cry out because of the arrogance of the wicked. Indeed, God does not listen to their angry plea; the Almighty pays no attention to it. How much less, then, will He listen when you say that you do not see Him, that your case is before Him and you must wait for Him...?"

Job 35:12-14, NIV

Today is day 8 of the 30 day challenge to read through the books of wisdom, with Job 29-35 being the reading for today. May God richly bless your efforts as you seek his wisdom and as you apply it to your life!