Job 34

1 Elihu further answered and said:

2 "Hear my words, you wise men; Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.

3 For the ear tests words As the palate tastes food.

4 Let us choose justice for ourselves; Let us know among ourselves what is good.

5 "For Job has said, 'I am righteous, But God has taken away my justice;

6 Should I lie concerning my right? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'

7 What man is like Job, Who drinks scorn like water,

8 Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, And walks with wicked men?

9 For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing That he should delight in God.'

10 "Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: Far be it from God to do wickedness, And from the Almighty to commit iniquity.

11 For He repays man according to his work, And makes man to find a reward according to his way.

12 Surely God will never do wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice.

13 Who gave Him charge over the earth? Or who appointed Him over the whole world?

14 If He should set His heart on it, If He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath,

15 All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust.

16 "If you have understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words:

17 Should one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn Him who is most just?

18 Is it fitting to say to a king, 'You are worthless,' And to nobles, 'You are wicked'?

19 Yet He is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; For they are all the work of His hands.

20 In a moment they die, in the middle of the night; The people are shaken and pass away; The mighty are taken away without a hand.

21 "For His eyes are on the ways of man, And He sees all his steps.

22 There is no darkness nor shadow of death Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

23 For He need not further consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment.

24 He breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry, And sets others in their place.

25 Therefore he knows their works; He overthrows them in the night, And they are crushed.

26 He strikes them as wicked men In the open sight of others,

27 Because they turned back from Him, And would not consider any of His ways,

28 So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to Him; For He hears the cry of the afflicted.

29 When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble? And when He hides His face, who then can see Him, Whether it is against a nation or a man alone?--

30 That the hypocrite should not reign, Lest the people be ensnared.

31 "For has anyone said to God, ' I have borne chastening; I will offend no more;

32 Teach me what I do not see; If I have done iniquity, I will do no more'?

33 Should He repay it according to your terms, Just because you disavow it? You must choose, and not I; Therefore speak what you know.

34 "Men of understanding say to me, Wise men who listen to me:

35 'Job speaks without knowledge, His words are without wisdom.'

36 Oh, that Job were tried to the utmost, Because his answers are like those of wicked men!

37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; He claps his hands among us, And multiplies his words against God."

Job 34 Commentary

Chapter 34

Elihu accuses Job of charging God with injustice. (1-9) God cannot be unjust. (10-15) God's power and providence. (16-30) Elihu reproves Job. (31-37)

Verses 1-9 Elihu calls upon those present to decide with him upon Job's words. The plainest Christian, whose mind is enlightened, whose heart is sanctified by the Spirit of God, and who is versed in the Scriptures, can say how far matters, words, or actions, agree with true religion, better than any that lean to their own understandings. Job had spoken as if he meant wholly to justify himself. He that say, I have cleansed my hands in vain, does not only offend against God's children, Ps. 73:13-15 , but gratifies his enemies, and says as they say.

Verses 10-15 Elihu had showed Job, that God meant him no hurt by afflicting him, but intended his spiritual benefit. Here he shows, that God did him no wrong by afflicting him. If the former did not satisfy him, this ought to silence him. God cannot do wickedness, nor the Almighty commit wrong. If services now go unrewarded, and sins now go unpunished, yet there is a day coming, when God will fully render to every man according to his works. Further, though the believer's final condemnation is done away through the Saviour's ransom, yet he has merited worse than any outward afflictions; so that no wrong is done to him, however he may be tried.

Verses 16-30 Elihu appeals directly to Job himself. Could he suppose that God was like those earthly princes, who hate right, who are unfit to rule, and prove the scourges of mankind? It is daring presumption to condemn God's proceedings, as Job had done by his discontents. Elihu suggests divers considerations to Job, to produce in him high thoughts of God, and so to persuade him to submit. Job had often wished to plead his cause before God. Elihu asks, To what purpose? All is well that God does, and will be found so. What can make those uneasy, whose souls dwell at ease in God? The smiles of all the world cannot quiet those on whom God frowns.

Verses 31-37 When we reprove for what is amiss, we must direct to what is good. Job's friends would have had him own himself a wicked man. Let will only oblige him to own that he spoke unadvisedly with his lips. Let us, in giving reproof, not make a matter worse than it is. Elihu directs Job to humble himself before God for his sins, and to accept the punishment. Also to pray to God to discover his sins to him. A good man is willing to know the worst of himself; particularly, under affliction, he desires to be told wherefore God contends with him. It is not enough to be sorry for our sins, but we must go and sin no more. And if we are affectionate children, we shall love to speak with our Father, and to tell him all our mind. Elihu reasons with Job concerning his discontent under affliction. We are ready to think every thing that concerns us should be just as we would have it; but it is not reasonable to expect this. Elihu asks whether there was not sin and folly in what Job said. God is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works, Ps. 145:17 . The believer saith, Let my Saviour, my wise and loving Lord, choose every thing for me. I am sure that will be wisest, and the best for his glory and my good.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 34

In this chapter Elihu reassumes his discourse, and proceeds in his answer to Job, in which are first a preface exciting attention, Job 34:1-4; then a charge is brought against Job, expressed in or extracted from some words that dropped from his lips, not so well guarded, Job 34:5-9; a refutation of these expressions of his in a variety of arguments, Job 34:10-30; and the chapter is closed with some good advice to Job, Job 34:31-33; and with an earnest request of Elihu to men of understanding, to join with him in trying him to the uttermost, Job 34:34-37.