Date: 01-28-2021

Title: The Arrogance of Youth

(S) cripture:
    Job 32:2-10 (NLT2) Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that God was right in punishing him. 3 He was also angry with Job’s three friends, for they made God appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments. 4 Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily. 6 Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said, “I am young and you are old, so I held back from telling you what I think. 7 I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.’ 8 But there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent. 9 Sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice. 10 So listen to me, and let me tell you what I think.

(O) bservation:
    Elihu know what he knows but doesn’t know what he doesn’t know. Here he will lecture both Job and his friends about the truth. His arrogance is seen in the tone of what he says. There is no humility or grace just a “listen to me and I’ll let you know what is true” attitude.

(A) pplication:
    As a campus pastor I saw this often and now as a retired pastor I still see this arrogance coming from the young. I want to commend their enthusiasm and their idealism. I was there as a college student and battle that same “listen to me” attitude” today. My words need to be filled with truth and grace. I must allow people to grow. The idealism of youth should not be discouraged but rather engaged with grace and the wisdom that comes from God. Today I will engage in conversation and build relationships with those idealistic and passionate young adults. I need their idealism to temper my cynicism, their excitement about what the world can be to challenge the world as it is. I need them and they need me.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, help me not to dismiss the young people around me, but to listen and then challenge each with love, truth and grace. Teach me when to speak and when to listen, Amen