Elihu Asserts God’s Justice
1 Elihu accused Job for charging God with injustice. 10 God omnipotent cannot be unjust. 31 Man must humble himself unto God. 34 Elihu reproved Job.
Job 34:1 Then Elihu said:
Job 34:2 “Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning.
At this point Elihu turns from Job to those whom he addresses as “wise men,” or “men of understanding” (v. 10). This group may include more than the three friends. It is probable that a considerable number of influential persons had gathered to hear the discussion.
Job 34:3 For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.
Elihu is endeavoring to appeal to the spiritual discrimination of his hearers. He wants them to compare his position with that of Job, and he intends that they shall sense what seems to him the great superiority of his viewpoint.
Job 34:4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
This verse is an appeal on the part of Elihu to discover the real truth from among the conflicting opinions and sentiments that have been advanced.
Job 34:5 “Job says, ‘I am innocent, but God denies me justice.
Verses 5–9 review Job’s charges against God. Elihu states that Job charged God with afflicting him, although he was righteous. This was, in truth, the basis of Job’s problem. He could not harmonize his misfortunes with his sense of having lived righteously.
Job 34:6 Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’
In this verse Elihu continues to quote Job as saying, “In spite of my righteous life, I am held to be a liar when I defend myself. I suffer punishment as an evildoer, though I am free from transgression.”
His arrow. Metaphorical for the wound inflicted by God’s arrow. God has inflicted a mortal wound, yet Job is not aware of any transgression on his part.
Job 34:7 Is there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water?
Elihu finds it hard to command words to express his utter detestation of Job’s impiety. In Elihu’s estimation, Job indulged in irreverence and reproach as freely as a man drinks water (see ch. 15:16).
Job 34:8 He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with the wicked.
This verse continues Elihu’s expression of horror at Job’s irreverence and reflects the attitude of Elihu rather than the actions of Job. Elihu’s philosophy of divine discipline indicated that Job must be a sinner. In this respect his ideas did not differ from those of the three friends. According to his interpretation, whether the misfortunes of Job were discipline or punishment, Job must have done something to deserve them.
Job 34:9 For he says, ‘There is no profit in trying to please God.’
See ch. 9:22. Elihu’s horror at Job reaches its height in this verse. It is utterly inconceivable to Elihu that a man should feel that divine favor would not automatically follow faithful service.
This quotation does not accurately state Job’s position. Job never did go so far as to state that there was no reward for right doing. He did maintain that righteous men are not always blessed, and wicked men do not always receive immediate retribution. But Elihu’s generalization, like many such statements, does violence to the real attitude of Job (see chs. 17:9; 21:9; 28:28).
Job 34:10 “So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong.
Elihu has stated what he conceives to be Job’s position. Now he challenges the attention of his listeners and solemnly declares that God is righteous. Elihu’s statement concerning God is true, but the making of such a statement does not solve the problem at hand. Instead of meeting the facts of the case, and endeavoring to reconcile the events with God’s justice, Elihu resolves the whole problem into a matter of divine sovereignty, which contributes little to the real solution of the issue.
Job 34:11 He repays everyone for what they have done; he brings on them what their conduct deserves.
This statement is true (see Rom. 2:6–10; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 22:12). It applies to man’s whole conduct and to God’s entire treatment of him. It may not seem true when life is surveyed in part rather than as a whole. For this reason, conclusions regarding a man’s character cannot be drawn from a survey of his misfortunes. Job 34:12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.
See v. 10.
Job 34:13 Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world?
The question is asked to emphasize the fact that no one gave God His power and authority. He is the Creator, and the source of power.
Job 34:14 If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath,
Recall the breath of life He gave to humans at creation (see Gen. 2:7).
Job 34:15 all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
Elihu sets forth God’s sovereign power. If God should so, He could destroy man in a moment. No one can deny God the right to do so. Man has no claim on life. Being such a sovereign, God reserves the right to afflict His creatures if He sees best.
Job 34:16 “If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.
Verses 1–15 were spoken to the bystanders (v. 2). Now Job is directly addressed. Job 34:17 Can someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One?
Elihu seems to refer to the government of the universe. God is the supreme ruler, and it is inconceivable that He should hate right and love wrong.
Job 34:18 Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
Elihu draws an illustration from earthly royalty. Their subjects show them respect, and do not call them “wicked” (Heb. beliyya‘al, frequently translated “Belial,” meaning, literally, “a worthless fellow”) or “ungodly.”
Job 34:19 who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?
If respect is due kings and princes, how much more to Him who created kings and princes? To accept the person of anyone is to treat him with special favor on account of his rank, wealth, or other considerations (see Lev. 19:15; Deut. 1:17; 16:19; 2 Chron. 19:7; Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11; Gal. 2:6; Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:25; James 2:1, 9).
Job 34:20 They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; the people are shaken and they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
This text points to the imminence of catastrophe. Disease, earthquake, flood, violence, fire, accident, all these killers lurk nearby. They strike when least expected—“at midnight”—and take their toll among both rich and poor
Job 34:21 “His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step.
Elihu adopts a new argument. He appeals to the omniscience of God as a guarantee that He will act justly. God knows each man’s ability, disposition, circumstances, and temptations. He will not make the mistake of placing undue affliction upon man.
Job 34:22 There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness, where evildoers can hide.
God’s omniscience is not only a protection to the righteous; it is a source of terror to the wicked (see Ps. 139:11; Heb. 4:13).
Job 34:23 God has no need to examine people further, that they should come before him for judgment.
Job 34:24 Without inquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place.
There is no need for God to make a protracted search of the lives of the wicked. He sees them at once, knows all their conduct, and may proceed against them without delay (see Ps. 75:7; Dan. 2:21).
Job 34:25 Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
Job 34:26 He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them,
God punishes the wicked openly, in the sight of their fellow men.
Job 34:27 because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways.
Job 34:28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard the cry of the needy.
Elihu views wicked men as oppressors. Job and his friends have exchanged charges and denials concerning this point (see chs. 22:5–10; 29:12).
Job 34:29 But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over individual and nation alike,
Elihu stresses God’s omnipotence. None can withstand God, neither man nor nation. Whether He blesses or curses, His actions are effective and incontrovertible (see Ps. 104:29; Rom. 8:31–34).
Job 34:30 to keep the godless from ruling, from laying snares for the people.
Job 34:31 “Suppose someone says to God, ‘I am guilty but will offend no more.
This verse introduces the development of a new idea. The purpose seems to be to inspire an attitude of humility on the part of Job. The ideal reaction to suffering, as conceived by Elihu, is summarized in the four statements of the afflicted person (vs. 31, 32). Elihu wishes Job to make such statements as these rather than to defend himself and insist on his own integrity. The sentiments suggested by Elihu are noble ones, and in accord with his conception of suffering as a discipline. He does not understand, however, the real reason for Job’s suffering. Job 34:32 Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.’
Job 34:33 Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know.
The purpose of the verse seems to be an appeal to Job to decide. Judging by the previous statements of Elihu, the decision he is urging is that Job confess his sins, acknowledge that God is justified in His judgments, and accept his suffering as discipline. Thus far Job has refused to compromise his consciousness of integrity by such a confession.
Job 34:34 “Men of understanding declare, wise men who hear me say to me,
This verse seems to be an introduction to a quotation in v. 35. The text may be translated, “Men of understanding will say to me, yea, every wise man that hears me will say.”
Job 34:35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
Elihu is trying to humiliate Job by reminding him how wise men look at him. To be poorly thought of by men of distinction is distressing in the extreme.
Job 34:36 Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man!
Elihu believes that Job deserves more affliction to purge him of what he, Elihu, considers his wicked ideas. The statement is harsh, and fits well into the pattern of expressions by the three friends.
Job 34:37 To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”
A mark of indignation or derision or mocking (see Num. 24:10; Job 27:23).