Job 34

1 Then Elihu said:
2 “Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning.
3 For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.
4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
5 “Job says, ‘I am innocent, but God denies me justice.
6 Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’
7 Is there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water?
8 He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with the wicked.
9 For he says, ‘There is no profit in trying to please God.’
10 “So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong.
11 He repays everyone for what they have done; he brings on them what their conduct deserves.
12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.
13 Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world?
14 If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit[a] and breath,
15 all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
16 “If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.
17 Can someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One?
18 Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
19 who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?
20 They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; the people are shaken and they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
21 “His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step.
22 There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness, where evildoers can hide.
23 God has no need to examine people further, that they should come before him for judgment.
24 Without inquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place.
25 Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
26 He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them,
27 because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways.
28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard the cry of the needy.
29 But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over individual and nation alike,
30 to keep the godless from ruling, from laying snares for the people.
31 “Suppose someone says to God, ‘I am guilty but will offend no more.
32 Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.’
33 Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know.
34 “Men of understanding declare, wise men who hear me say to me,
35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
36 Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man!
37 To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully 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.

Cross References 71

  • 1. S Job 32:10
  • 2. Job 12:11
  • 3. S Job 12:12; Hebrews 5:14
  • 4. 1 Thessalonians 5:21
  • 5. S Job 10:7; Job 33:9
  • 6. S Job 6:29; Job 27:2
  • 7. S Job 6:28
  • 8. S Job 9:21
  • 9. S Job 6:4; S Job 10:3; S Jeremiah 10:19
  • 10. S Job 9:21; S Job 15:16
  • 11. S Job 22:15; Psalms 50:18
  • 12. S Job 9:29-31; S Job 21:15; Job 35:3
  • 13. Job 32:10
  • 14. ver 16; S Job 12:12
  • 15. S Genesis 18:25
  • 16. ver 12; Deuteronomy 32:4; Job 8:3; Job 36:23; Psalms 92:15; Romans 3:5; Romans 9:14
  • 17. S Job 21:31; Psalms 62:12; S Matthew 16:27; Romans 2:6; 2 Corinthians 5:10
  • 18. Jeremiah 17:10; Jeremiah 32:19; Ezekiel 33:20
  • 19. S ver 10; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18
  • 20. S Job 8:3; Psalms 9:16; Colossians 3:25; 2 Thessalonians 1:6
  • 21. Hebrews 1:2
  • 22. Job 36:23; Job 38:4,6; Isaiah 40:14
  • 23. S Genesis 6:3
  • 24. S Numbers 16:22; S Job 27:3; Psalms 104:29
  • 25. S Genesis 6:13; Lamentations 3:22; Malachi 3:6; John 3:16
  • 26. S Genesis 2:7; Genesis 3:19; S Job 7:21; Job 9:22; Psalms 90:10
  • 27. S ver 10
  • 28. S Job 32:10
  • 29. ver 30; 2 Samuel 23:3-4; Proverbs 20:8,26; Proverbs 24:23-25; Proverbs 28:28
  • 30. ver 29; S Job 10:7; Job 40:8; Romans 3:5-6
  • 31. S Job 12:18
  • 32. Exodus 22:28; Isaiah 40:24
  • 33. Deuteronomy 10:17; S Job 13:10; S Acts 10:34
  • 34. S Leviticus 19:15; James 2:5
  • 35. S Job 10:3
  • 36. ver 25; S Exodus 11:4; S Job 20:8; Exodus 12:29
  • 37. S Job 12:19
  • 38. Jeremiah 32:19
  • 39. Job 31:4; S Job 14:16; Proverbs 15:3; S Hebrews 4:13
  • 40. Psalms 74:20; Psalms 139:12
  • 41. S Job 3:5; Amos 9:2-3
  • 42. S Genesis 3:8; S Job 11:20
  • 43. Psalms 11:4
  • 44. Job 11:11
  • 45. Isaiah 8:9; Isaiah 9:4; Jeremiah 51:20; Daniel 2:34
  • 46. Job 12:19
  • 47. Daniel 2:21
  • 48. S Job 11:11
  • 49. S ver 20
  • 50. Proverbs 5:21-23
  • 51. S Genesis 6:5; S Job 8:22; S Job 28:24; Psalms 9:5; Jeremiah 44:5
  • 52. Psalms 14:3; Psalms 28:5; Isaiah 5:12
  • 53. S 1 Samuel 15:11
  • 54. S Exodus 22:23; S Job 5:15; S Job 12:19; Job 35:9; James 5:4
  • 55. Psalms 28:1; Psalms 83:1; Psalms 109:1
  • 56. S ver 17; Romans 8:34
  • 57. Psalms 13:1
  • 58. Psalms 83:18; Psalms 97:9
  • 59. S Job 8:13
  • 60. S ver 17
  • 61. Psalms 25:15; Psalms 31:4; Psalms 91:3; Psalms 124:7; Psalms 140:5; Proverbs 29:2-12
  • 62. Psalms 51:5; Luke 15:21; Romans 7:24; 1 John 1:8,10
  • 63. Exodus 33:13; Job 35:11; Job 38:36; Psalms 15:2; Psalms 25:4; Psalms 27:11; Psalms 51:6; Psalms 86:11; Psalms 139:23-24; Psalms 143:8
  • 64. Job 33:27; S Luke 19:8
  • 65. S 2 Kings 17:13; Job 33:23; Job 36:10,15,18,21; Job 41:11; Job 42:6; Proverbs 17:23; John 3:8
  • 66. Job 35:16; Job 38:2; Job 42:3
  • 67. Job 26:3
  • 68. S Job 6:29; S Job 22:15
  • 69. S Job 27:23
  • 70. Job 35:16
  • 71. Job 23:2

Footnotes 1

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.

Job 34 Commentaries

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