In Defense of “Young Preachers”
One only has to read the account of Job and his “comforters” to understand the tongue of the young…….. Notice which of the 3 comforters speaks the most …..
“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.”
BUT…..
Upon a closer examination of Elihu’s speeches, it is clear that he is commendable in much of what he says—he is more nuanced and accurate in his views of suffering than the three friends, and he is more understanding of Job as well.
Elihu’s focus of his speeches are toward God. This is Elihu’s real contribution to the resolution of Job’s problem—not that his words contain the answer to Job’s suffering, but that they serve to center Job’s attention on the God who in himself is the answer that Job is looking for.
In the end, Elihu is the forerunner who prepares Job for God’s appearance and as such, he plays a vital role in Job’s life and story.
Young preachers who are respectful and prayerful many times have an insight born not of age but rather from the highest wisdom of all…. God. Age certainly and that of the “hoary head” has a wisdom often not found in the young BUT never discount the fact that God can “gift” any as He chooses with His “wisdom.” Thank God for young men that seek His face!
–jlg–