Job 34

1 And Elius continued, and said,

2 Hear me, ye wise men; hearken, ye that have knowledge.

3 For the ear tries words, and the mouth tastes meat.

4 Let us choose judgment to ourselves: let us know amount ourselves what is right.

5 For Job has said, I am righteous: the Lord has removed my judgment.

6 And he has erred in my judgment: my wound is severe without unrighteousness .

7 What man is as Job, drinking scorning like water?

8 , I have not sinned, nor committed ungodliness, nor had fellowship with workers of iniquity, to go with the ungodly.

9 For thou shouldest not say, There shall be no visitation of a man, whereas a visitation on him from the Lord.

10 Wherefore hear me, ye that are wise in heart: far be it from me to sin before the Lord, and to pervert righteousness before the almighty.

11 Yea, he renders to a man accordingly as each of them does, and in a man's path he will find him.

12 And thinkest thou that the Lord will do wrong, or will the Almighty who made the earth wrest judgment?

13 And who is he that made under heaven, and all things therein?

14 For if he would confine, and restrain his spirit with himself;

15 all flesh would die together, and every mortal would return to the earth, whence also he was formed.

16 Take heed lest he rebuke : hear this, hearken to the voice of words.

17 Behold then the one that hates iniquities, and that destroys the wicked, who is for ever just.

18 ungodly that says to a king, Thou art a transgressor, to princes, O most ungodly one.

19 as would not reverence the face of an honourable man, neither knows how to give honour to the great, so as that their persons should be respected.

20 But it shall turn out vanity to them, to cry and beseech a man; for they dealt unlawfully, the poor being turned aside .

21 For he surveys the works of men, and nothing of what they do has escaped him.

22 Neither shall there be a place for the workers of iniquity to hide themselves.

23 For he will not lay upon a man more .

24 For the Lord looks down upon all men, who comprehends unsearchable things, glorious also and excellent things without number.

25 Who discovers their works, and will bring night about , and they shall be brought low.

26 And he quite destroys the ungodly, for they are seen before him.

27 Because they turned aside from the law of God, and did not regard his ordinances,

28 so as to bring before him the cry of the needy; for he will hear the cry of the poor.

29 And he will give quiet, and who will condemn? and he will hide his face, and who shall see him? whether against a nation, or against a man also:

30 causing a hypocrite to be king, because of the waywardness of the people.

31 For one that says to the Mighty One, I have received ; I will not take a pledge:

32 I will see apart from myself: do thou shew me if I have done unrighteousness; I will not do any more.

33 Will he take vengeance for it on thee, whereas thou wilt put far ? for thou shalt choose, and not I; and what thou knowest, speak thou.

34 Because the wise in heart shall say this, and a wise man listens to my word.

35 But Job has not spoken with understanding, his words are not with knowledge.

36 Howbeit do thou learn, Job: no longer make answer as the foolish:

37 that we add not to our sins: for iniquity will be reckoned against us, if speak many words before the Lord.

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.