Great men are not alwasys wise

Great men are not always wise, Nor do the aged always understand justice. "Therefore I say, 'Listen to me, I also will declare my opinion.' Indeed I waited for your words, I listened to your reasonings, while you searched out what to say. - Job 32:9-11

Elihu was a young man who had listened to the words of Job’s three friends. He had listened respectfully, but now he could hold his tongue no longer. He starts his talk with respect, but he makes a statement here that I think we ought to consider. He sets out the Bible principle that we ought to respect the aged. We are told to seek the advice and counsel of old men.

And generally that is a good policy.

But Elihu makes a good point here when he says ‘Great men are not always wise, nor the aged always understand justice.’ Sometimes old men are just old men.

What makes the difference?

Truly great men find their greatness in the word of God. Truly just men find their sense of justice in the Bible. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and without the fear of the Lord there is no wisdom whether young or old.

Elihu had patiently waited while the older men said their peace. He showed them respect – but he knew their wisdom was flawed and their sense of justice perverted.

We older guys don’t get a bye on seeking wisdom. We don’t get our views respected just because we are old. We must seek God’s wisdom, speak of God’s wisdom, live in accord with God’s wisdom, and pass God’s wisdom on to the next generation.