I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion. For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me. Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles. I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.”
— Job 32: 17-20
There are two kinds of matter that matter to us in this writing. There is the matter which generally speaking is the substance of which anything consists — the physical material such as wood, stone, earth, iron, and so on is matter.
Then there is the matter of which Elihu spoke of in our text. He said he was “full of matter.”
This matter consists of the formation of an idea or as with Elihu an “opinion” in verses 6, 10 and 17. Aristotle said there can be no matter without form except as a mere idea that takes form in the mind.
The mind forms ideas and thoughts, and shapes an opinion and then uses that grey matter in our head to give it expression. Then it’s a matter of whether we helped or hurt our listeners with our matter.
To accumulate matter in our mind we study and learn to think for ourselves. For so many having this matter that we seek after, and collect, and edit and make ready for use doesn’t matter.
But some who, like Elihu, have a store house full of matter ready for use must speak and vent themselves least they burst, for they believe they really have something worth saying.
Sometimes what other people say doesn’t matter to us and we don’t take their matter into consideration because as a matter- of-fact we, according to such matters know they aren’t speaking the truth. As a matter-of-fact, Elihu and Job’s other friends were wrong in their assessment of the matters concerning Job’s trial. (42: 7) Elihu was the youngest of Job’s associates, and out of respect for the older ones held his matter in until they had spoken and released their matter and opinion. Elihu then released his matter or opinion which is recorded in chapters 3237 and then we can say he breathed a sigh of relief.
We need all the material things or matter that God made that’s in the world for our existence. But we can become materialist and place too much importance on the physical matter which will one day pass away and not place enough importance on the matter in our heart that we create that for which we will one day be held accountable.
This is a serious matter and a matter that we should be concerned about. This is the matter that really matters.
Solomon settles the matter when he writes:
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
— Ecclesiates 12: 13-14
James H. Cagle is a Ray City resident who pastored several churches for a total of 11 years. Email him at pastorjameshcagle@ yahoo.com
