Job 34:21-31

21 "He has his eyes on every man and woman. He doesn't miss a trick.
22 There is no night dark enough, no shadow deep enough, to hide those who do evil.
23 God doesn't need to gather any more evidence; their sin is an open-and-shut case.
24 He deposes the so-called high and mighty without asking questions, and replaces them at once with others.
25 Nobody gets by with anything; overnight, judgment is signed, sealed, and delivered.
26 He punishes the wicked for their wickedness out in the open where everyone can see it,
27 Because they quit following him, no longer even thought about him or his ways.
28 Their apostasy was announced by the cry of the poor; the cry of the afflicted got God's attention. Because You Refuse to Live on God's Terms
29 "If God is silent, what's that to you? If he turns his face away, what can you do about it? But whether silent or hidden, he's there, ruling,
30 so that those who hate God won't take over and ruin people's lives.
31 "So why don't you simply confess to God? Say, 'I sinned, but I'll sin no more.

Job 34:21-31 Meaning and Commentary

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.

Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.