Job 34 Study Notes

34:1-2 Elihu appears to be playing on Job’s reference to his three friends as wise ones. Since they had failed to refute Job (32:12-13), however, perhaps all involved could benefit from words of wisdom from Elihu.

34:3-4 Elihu referred to Job’s earlier comments about the ear’s ability to test words much as the palate tastes food (12:11). Elihu was confident that his words would stand up to scrutiny.

34:5-6 Elihu summarized Job’s claims, which he was about to refute.

34:7-9 Elihu observed that Job was neither affected by the (justified) derision heaped upon him by others, nor was he above deriding others, especially God. In Elihu’s opinion, this showed that Job had assumed the stance of an evildoer (see 21:7-15), especially when he complained that being righteous gained a person nothing before God (9:15,29-31).

34:10-12 In returning to his opening issue about God’s justice (v. 5; cp. 32:2), Elihu denied Job’s claim that God was treating him unjustly (27:2). All three friends had repeatedly applied in rigid fashion the doctrine of equal divine retribution: blessings for righteousness, judgment for unrighteousness, each in its proper degree (Jr 25:14; 30:11). Eliphaz had likewise championed that thesis but insisted that God’s nature prohibited his wrongdoing (Dt 32:4; Ps 62:12; Jr 9:23-24). Elihu gave the implied answer to Bildad’s earlier rhetorical question (Jb 8:2-3). God could not and did not act unrighteously or unjustly (Ps 92:15; Rm 3:5-6).

34:13-15 Elihu declared that as a sovereign and omnipotent God, the Lord is not accountable to anyone. Job had admitted as much (9:12), but he had questioned God’s dealings with him (10:4-7). Elihu implied that for Job to question God was wrong and illogical. If God was sovereign, he had no reason to be unjust or show partiality. If mankind was dependent on God for sustenance, to question God’s authority and justice puts a person in danger of judgment for rebellion.

34:16-18 As Elihu saw it, a being who is not truly righteous and all-powerful would not be able to govern the world properly. Without a just and omnipotent God, life on earth would be characterized by injustice and chaos.

34:19-20 The rich and the poor are alike before God.

34:21-23 Elihu built on Job’s earlier remarks that God watches everything that men do on earth (7:20; 31:4). There is no place, however dark, where evildoers can escape God’s view. Job had asked for a court appearance in order to present his case before God (9:32-35; 13:18; 21:3-7; 31:35-37). As the omniscient, all-seeing Judge, he does not need to come to court to examine a person’s ways.

34:24-25 Elihu cited the example of wicked rulers. God did not need to launch an investigation of their deeds. He already knew everything.

34:26-28 God sees the godless ways of wicked rulers and hears the outcry of those whom they have oppressed. He judges wicked rulers and punishes them as a public example.

34:29-30 Job felt that at times the unrighteous seem to have God’s provision (12:6), but Elihu declared that such instances are illusions. Although God appears to ignore cases where wickedness prevails, he does see them. God’s intervention may appear to be slow in coming, but he will rectify the situation in accordance with his wise and sovereign disposition of earthly affairs (2Pt 3:8-9).

34:31-33 Rather than repenting, Job had claimed his innocence and righteousness (27:2-6; 31:35-37). God’s terms for the sinner’s forgiveness and restoration to his favor are conditioned upon the sinner’s repentance (22:21-27; 1Jn 1:8). Elihu challenged Job to consider his remarks and reply.

34:34-35 Job refused to speak, so Elihu declared himself the victor in his exchange with Job.

34:36-37 Elihu alluded to Zophar’s initial declaration that God had not punished Job to the full limit for his sins (11:4-6). Because he had refused to acknowledge his sins, Job was rebelling against God. Elihu observed that Job had shown contempt for his friends (see Lm 2:15) while condemning God with his speaking (Jb 16:12-17; 30:18-19). This put Job on dangerous ground (Ezk 25:6-7).