for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food.
Elihu has just claimed the right to speak. Now he asks his listeners to weigh what they hear, the way a mouth judges food before swallowing it — but what happens when the taster's own judgment has gone wrong?
A Proverb Borrowed from Job Himself
The saying is not new in the book. Job used it first, and Elihu now asks his hearers to apply it to him.
Samuel RidoutQuoting Job's own words (Job 12:11), which look like a proverb, he reminds his hearers that the ear takes in and tests words, just as the mouth does with food. So let them join him as he searches out whether Job's charges are true or false. Thus our Lord appealed to His hearers, "Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?" and the apostle says, "I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say."
Truth Has Nothing to Fear from Examination
Elihu invites the sharpest testing of what he says. One writer explains why truth can afford that.
William KellyElihu wants his words tested with the sharpest judgment. Truth has nothing to fear from that — as long as men listen with a conscience turned toward God, and not with a wrongly guided will that refuses everything which lowers man. And all truth must lower him, because he is fallen. But the fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom, as surely as fools despise wisdom and instruction. Therefore he calls men of wisdom and knowledge to listen. There is an inner man no less than an outer, and he cannot escape responsibility.
The Audience Is Wider Than the Three Friends
So who is being asked to test his words? Not only the men arguing with Job.
Samuel RidoutElihu does not seem to be addressing the three friends as "wise men," or any particular people. Some have thought he is speaking to the crowd that had gathered to listen to the argument. That may be true, but the words read more like a general appeal to the judgment of the wise everywhere and for all time. Elihu is handling principles that apply to everyone. What prompts him to say them is his examination of Job's attitude.
When the Taste Itself Is Diseased
But a palate can go wrong, and one writer presses the point.
James BoydSomeone may reply that the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food. I admit that in Job 12:11 the comparison is not only allowed but intended. But suppose the judge is in bad health, so his taste is spoiled. He may want food that is bad for him. He may call bitter sweet, and sweet bitter. He may call evil good, and good evil. What then? Where is his ability to judge? He may turn to his neighbour to decide for him. But suppose everyone he knew was suffering from the same illness — no one could give him the slightest help.
So there is a limit to how far the hearer sits as judge. When God's own word reaches the conscience, the roles reverse.
J. N. DarbyWhen the divine word is brought to my conscience and heart, who am I to judge God when God is speaking to me? It would be denying that He is speaking to me. If it is to have real power, it must be the Word of God to my soul. Then I don't think of judging it. I sit down before it, so that it draws out my heart and exercises my conscience.
Reproof Mixed with Grace
Elihu is about to say hard things about Job's speeches. The way he says them is itself part of the lesson.
William KellyHe blames Job in real faithfulness, sprinkling reproof now and then with all these gracious words. Is not this too a needed and happy lesson for our souls? This is exactly what the apostle urged on the Colossians in a few short words. The speech of Elihu was always, we may say, "gracious, seasoned with salt." The seasoning is not lacking in this chapter.
That tone marks him off from the three who spoke before him. His aim is not to win an argument but to reach the man.
Samuel RidoutHis addresses are therefore not a declamatory statement of his own principles, but an appeal to Job's conscience and reason. There is a marked absence of the abusive and insulting manner of the friends, while there is a most faithful and unsparing uncovering of Job's faults, without stirring up opposition.
Summary
- Taste — the ear takes in words the way the mouth takes in food, and tests them as it takes them in. Elihu borrows the proverb from Job's own earlier words.
- Test — he invites the sharpest testing of his words. Truth has nothing to fear from it, as long as men listen with a conscience turned toward God.
- Reach — the appeal is not aimed at three men only, but at the judgment of the wise everywhere and for all time.
- Caution — a sick palate calls bitter sweet and evil good. So we weigh what men say. But when God's word speaks to the conscience, we sit down before it instead of judging it.
- Manner — Elihu blames Job in real faithfulness, yet sprinkles his reproof with gracious words: speech that is gracious, seasoned with salt.