Thought from today’s Bible reading from Job 32-34.
“I thought age should speak, and increased years should teach wisdom. But it is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding. The abundant in years may not be wise, nor may elders understand justice” (Job 32:7-9).
After listening to Job and his three friends debate the cause of Job’s suffering, the younger man Elihu finally spoke up. He was frustrated with Job’s answers and the inability of the three men to refute him. Surely the older, wiser men should have been teaching wisdom, not the young man Elihu.
Generally it is true that wisdom comes with age. But Elihu’s statement reminds us of a very important truth: one who is advanced in years is not necessarily advanced in wisdom. One who should be in a position to teach the younger is not always equipped and willing to do so.
The path to wisdom begins with truth. Notice what the wise man writes:
“Buy truth, and do not sell it, get wisdom and instruction and understanding” (Proverbs 23:23).
Truth leads to wisdom. Age gives one the advantage of having more time to hear, learn, and apply the truth; but age alone is not wisdom. There are times when the younger can teach the older when the younger has some word of truth that the older has yet to learn or accept.
To the older: While you may be wise in many things, you will never progress past the need for the truth. All wisdom lies there.
To the younger: Don’t think that wisdom naturally comes with age. Learn the truth, practice it, teach it. This is the way to gain wisdom.
Tomorrow’s reading: Job 35-37
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.
