What does Job 15:17 reveal about the importance of listening to elders? Setting the Scene Job’s friend Eliphaz speaks in Job 15:17 during a heated dialogue about suffering and righteousness. Though Eliphaz’s conclusions about Job are flawed, his opening words spotlight a timeless principle: the value of heeding seasoned voices. Text at a Glance “I will show you; listen to me. I will recount what I have seen,” (Job 15:17). The Elder’s Appeal: Why “Listen to Me” Matters • “I will show you” – An elder offers insight gained through lived experience, not mere theory. • “Listen to me” – A straightforward call to attentive humility. • “I will recount what I have seen” – Personal observation over time carries weight; wisdom is often transmitted story-by-story. Lessons on Listening Today • Elders serve as living repositories of God’s faithfulness across decades. • Ignoring them risks repeating avoidable mistakes. • Respectful listening honors God’s design for intergenerational growth (cf. Proverbs 20:29). Scriptural Echoes • Proverbs 1:8 – “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction….” • Deuteronomy 32:7 – “Remember the days of old; consider the years long past. Ask your father, and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.” • 1 Peter 5:5 – “You who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders….” • Proverbs 13:1 – “A wise son heeds his father’s discipline….” Putting It Into Practice 1. Identify mature believers whose walk with Christ you respect; invite their stories. 2. When counsel comes, weigh it against Scripture with an open heart rather than a defensive posture. 3. Pass along what you learn; today’s listener becomes tomorrow’s elder, continuing the cycle of godly wisdom. |
    |