Job 32: Elihu Waits to Speak

The three friends stop answering Job. A younger man named Elihu has been listening. He is angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God, and angry with the friends because they found no answer and yet condemned Job. Elihu had waited because they were older. He says, It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice, for the Spirit of the Almighty gives understanding. He says he is full of words and will not flatter anyone.

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Bible:

Read Job 32

World English Bible · 22 verses

¹ So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were older than he.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, “I am young, and you are very old. Therefore I held back, and didn’t dare show you my opinion.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ I said, ‘Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ But there is a spirit in man, and the Spirit of the Almighty gives them understanding.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ Therefore I said, ‘Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ “Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, among you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom. God may refute him, not man;’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ for he has not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ “They are amazed. They answer no more. They don’t have a word to say.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ Shall I wait, because they don’t speak, because they stand still, and answer no more?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ I also will answer my part, and I also will show my opinion.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ For I am full of words. The spirit within me constrains me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent; like new wineskins it is ready to burst.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ I will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ Please don’t let me respect any man’s person, neither will I give flattering titles to any man.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²² For I don’t know how to give flattering titles, or else my Maker would soon take me away.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Open Preschool on its own page

Job 32 · Preschool

The Spirit Gives Understanding

Name Date

Color young Elihu listening! He waited his turn to speak.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“But there is a spirit in man, and the Spirit of the Almighty gives them understanding.”

Job 32:8 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: Elihu waited his turn to talk. God gives understanding to young and old people.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

Job 32 · Grade 4

Not Only the Aged Are Wise

Name Date

Read and Think

The three friends stopped answering Job. Then Elihu, a younger man, spoke. His wrath was kindled against Job because Job justified himself rather than God. His wrath was also kindled against the three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

Elihu had waited because the others were older. He said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man, and the Spirit of the Almighty gives them understanding. It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.

Elihu said he had listened carefully, but no one had convinced Job. He said, For I am full of words. He promised not to give flattering titles to any man. Elihu says some true things, but God Himself will have the final word.

Show What You Know

Why was Elihu angry with Job?
Why was Elihu angry with the friends?
What did Elihu say about who is wise?
What did Elihu promise?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

answerwaitedElihuGodwisdom

Then , a younger man, spoke.
His wrath was kindled against Job because Job justified himself rather than .
His wrath was also kindled against the three friends, because they had found no , and yet had condemned Job.
Elihu had because the others were older.
He said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach .

Think About It

Elihu waited respectfully before he spoke. Why is it wise to listen before you speak?
Elihu said the Spirit of the Almighty gives understanding. How can young people grow in wisdom from God?

Memory Verse

“But there is a spirit in man, and the Spirit of the Almighty gives them understanding.”

Job 32:8 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for giving understanding. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can you be honest instead of just saying nice things?
How did Elihu describe himself?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Job 32 · Grade 5

Full of Words

Name Date

Read and Think

The friends fall silent, because Job is righteous in his own eyes. Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, now speaks. He is angry with Job because he justified himself rather than God. He is angry with the three friends because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. Elihu's point about the friends matches what God will say in 42:7.

Elihu explains why he waited: I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man, and the Spirit of the Almighty gives them understanding. It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice. Wisdom is a gift from God, not just the result of age.

Elihu says he gave the friends his full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job. I am full of words. The spirit within me constrains me. Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent. He vows not to flatter anyone, or else my Maker would soon take me away. Elihu's speeches mix true teaching about God with harsh words about Job. God does not mention Elihu in 42:7, but God alone has the final word.

Show What You Know

Why is Elihu angry with Job?
How does Elihu's point about the friends match 42:7?
What does Elihu say about wisdom?
How does Elihu describe himself?
What do Elihu's speeches mix?

Crossword

Across

But there is a ____ in man
because they were ____ than he

Down

Elihu had ____ to speak to Job
I am ____, and you are very old.
The young man who waited to speak

Think About It

Elihu said wisdom comes from God's Spirit, not just age. How can you show respect to older people and still seek wisdom from God?
Elihu was full of words. How can you tell when it is time to speak and when it is time to stay quiet?

Memory Verse

“But there is a spirit in man, and the Spirit of the Almighty gives them understanding.”

Job 32:8 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for giving understanding. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can you tell when to speak and when to stay quiet?
How can young people grow in wisdom from God?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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Job 32: Elihu Waits to Speak

Read Job 32

Worksheets

The Spirit Gives Understanding

Prayer

Take It Home

Wait

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

Elihu Waits

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Elihu Speaks

Prayer

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Elihu Waited

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Young Elihu Speaks

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Elihu Speaks

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Not Only the Aged Are Wise

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

Full of Words

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

More print options