(6) В¶ And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. (7) I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. (8) But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. (9) Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. (10) Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. (11) Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say. (12) Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words: (13) Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man. (14) Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches. (15) В¶ They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking. (16) When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;) (17) I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion. (18) For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me. (19) Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles. (20) I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer. (21) Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. (22) For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.
The whole of these verses seems to be but as the preface to Elihu's discourse. He bespeaks the favor of his hearers, and apologizeth for what he might offer; but, to conciliate their minds, he tells them, that he is bursting to deliver what he had to say, so important it is in his view. The frame of mind in Elihu, and the earnestness he felt to be useful in this controversy, may serve to teach how much a soul that is full of JESUS, and longs to go forth in his name and salvation, for the good of others, may be supposed to feel in his labour of love. To be shut up in a corner, and prohibited from speaking of the LORD, when we see souls perishing for lack of knowledge, what a grief must this be to faithful servants of the LORD JESUS! Jeremiah describes his state under this affliction, and saith, That the word of the LORD was in his heart, as a burning fire shut up in his bones, so that he was weary with forbearing, and could not stay. Jeremiah 20:9.