Job 34
CHAPTER 34
1. answered--proceeded.
2. This chapter is addressed also to the "friends" as the thirty-third chapter to Job alone.
4. judgment--Let us select among the conflicting sentiments advanced, what will stand the test of examination.
5. judgment--my right. Job's own words ( Job 13:18 , 27:2 ).
6. Were I to renounce my right (that is, confess myself guilty), I should die. Job virtually had said so ( Job 27:4 Job 27:5 , 6:28 ). MAURER, not so well, "Notwithstanding my right (innocence) I am treated as a liar," by God, by His afflicting me.
my wound--literally, "mine arrow," namely, by which I am pierced. So "my stroke" ("hand," Job 23:2 , Margin). My sickness ( Job 6:4 , 16:13 ).
without transgression--without fault of mine to deserve it ( Job 16:17 ).
7. ( Job 15:16 ). Image from the camel.
scorning--against God ( Job 15:4 ).
8. Job virtually goes in company (makes common cause) with the wicked, by taking up their sentiments ( Job 9:22 Job 9:23 Job 9:30 , 21:7-15 ), or at least by saying, that those who act on such sentiments are unpunished ( Malachi 3:14 ). To deny God's righteous government because we do not see the reasons of His acts, is virtually to take part with the ungodly.
9. with God--in intimacy ( Psalms 50:18 , Margin).
10. The true answer to Job, which God follows up ( Job 38:1-41 ). Man is to believe God's ways are right, because they are His, not because we fully see they are so ( Romans 9:14 , Deuteronomy 32:4 , Genesis 18:25 ).
11. Partly here; fully, hereafter ( Jeremiah 32:19 , Romans 2:6 , 1 Peter 1:17 , Revelation 22:12 ).
12. ( Job 8:3 ). In opposition to Job, Job 34:5 , will not--cannot.
13. If the world were not God's property, as having been made by Him, but committed to His charge by some superior, it might be possible for Him to act unjustly, as He would not thereby be injuring Himself; but as it is, for God to act unjustly would undermine the whole order of the world, and so would injure God's own property ( Job 36:23 ).
disposed--hath founded ( Isaiah 44:7 ), established the circle of the globe.
14, 15. "If He were to set His heart on man," either to injure him, or to take strict account of his sins. The connection supports rather [UMBREIT], "If He had regard to himself (only), and were to gather unto Himself ( Psalms 104:29 ) man's spirit, &c. (which he sends forth, Psalms 104:30 , Ecclesiastes 12:7 ), all flesh must perish together," &c. ( Genesis 3:19 ). God's loving preservation of His creatures proves He cannot be selfish, and therefore cannot be unjust.
16. In Job 34:2 , Elihu had spoken to all in general, now he calls Job's special attention.