I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person.
Elihu has listened in silence while Job and his three friends argued. Now he opens his own speech with an oath: he will show no partiality and use no flattery, whoever he is speaking to.
Speech Under Constraint
Elihu speaks because he cannot hold it in. One writer contrasts that pressure with the speeches Job had listened to so far:
Samuel RidoutHe now will speak — even he. For he is full, and must give utterance to the spirit that stirs within him, which is like new wine seeking a vent. He is constrained; necessity is laid upon him. This is very different from the learned, deliberate arguments Job had to listen to up to now. It is just as different from heated speech that had little wisdom or justice in it.
Another writer traces that constraint back to its source:
C. H. MackintoshHe does not want anyone to suppose that he was speaking his own words. So he adds, "For I am full of matter; the spirit within me constrains me." This is the true spring and power of all ministry, in all ages. It must be "the inspiration of the Almighty," or it is worth absolutely nothing.
No Partiality
Older versions read "accept any man's person." It means judging a man by who he is. Elihu refuses, and he roots that refusal in God's own character:
Leslie M. GrantSomething vital is at stake here. He must not show partiality to anyone. And if he flattered anyone, he considered that this would be cause for his Maker to take him away (vv. 21-22). He must give the truth simply and clearly as from God, who is no respecter of persons.
Truth Instead of Flattery
Elihu also promises to give no flattering titles. One writer shows what truth does instead:
C. H. MackintoshHe tells Job and his friends very plainly that he does not know how to give flattering titles to man. Here the voice of "truth" falls with great clearness on the ear. Truth puts everyone in his right place. And just because it does, it cannot hand out titles of flattery to a poor guilty mortal, however much that mortal might enjoy them. Man must be brought to know himself, to see his true condition, to confess what he really is. This was exactly what Job needed. He did not know himself, and his friends could not give him that knowledge.
On God's Behalf
Elihu is not speaking for either side in the dispute. He rises for God, whom their speeches had dishonoured:
James BoydHe is angry with the three friends because they had condemned Job without being able to enlighten him. He is angry with Job too, because, instead of justifying God, he had justified himself... He rises up to speak on behalf of God, who had been dishonoured by their speeches. He waited until all the others had said everything they had to say, and then he lifts up his voice on behalf of God. He would have Job justified, but he must first of all justify God.
Free From Men
This freedom from men has a source. One writer names it:
C. H. MackintoshIf we only live in the Lord's presence, with a constant sense of our own nothingness and of His all-sufficiency, we shall know the precious secret of all effective ministry. We shall know how to lean on God alone, and so be independent of men in the right sense.
Summary
- Constrained — Elihu speaks because he is full and must; speech that is not drawn from God is worth nothing.
- Impartial — to accept a man's person is to judge by rank; Elihu will not, because God is no respecter of persons.
- Truthful — truth puts everyone in his right place, so it cannot hand a guilty man flattering titles. It brings him to know himself.
- God-centred — he rises for God's honour, not for either side. He would have Job justified, but he justifies God first.
- Free — leaning on God alone makes a speaker independent of men. The fear of his Maker keeps flattery off his lips.