Context:
Because
Elihu's speech covers six chapters, we provide this simple overview
to help the reader see where they are in each chapter:
Ch.32:
Introducing Elihu
Ch.33:
God IS a Communicator
Ch.34:
Job has got it wrong!
Ch.35:
Misguided Questions?
Ch.36:
God IS Just
Ch.37:
God IS Supreme
FRAMEWORKS:
Job 34: Elihu
– Part 3 of 6: Job has got it wrong!
[Preliminary
Comments: This chapter sees Elihu really moving into
the attack on Job, first of all asking them all to consider these
things [v.1-4]. But then he brings up two things he thinks Job
has said [which we'll consider at the end of the chapter], first
that God has denied him justice and, second, there's no point
in trying to please God [v.5-9]. To counter these misunderstandings,
he declares God's perfection [v.10-12], the God who is the all-powerful
Creator of all things [v.13-15], the perfect bringer of justice
[v.16-20], because He sees and knows all things [v.21-28]. If
He remains silent it is because He does not answer the unrighteous
but works to bring repentance in mankind [v.29-33] and so Job
has fallen into the trap of speaking beyond his knowledge and
is thus guilty of sin [v.34-37]. Much truth but little understanding
of what Job has been through.]
v.1-4
Elihu invites the other four to listen and consider
v.1
Then Elihu
said:
v.2
“Hear my words,
you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning.
v.3
For the ear
tests words as the tongue tastes food.
v.4
Let
us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together
what is good.
[Note:
Elihu asks them to each weigh up what he says to ascertain the
truth.]
v.5-9
Elihu challenges with truth and exaggeration
v.5
“Job
says, ‘I am innocent, but God denies me justice. [see
27:2]
v.6
Although
I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his
arrow inflicts an incurable wound.'
v.7
Is
there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water?
v.8
He keeps company
with evildoers; he associates with the wicked.
v.9
For
he says, ‘There is no profit in trying to please God.'
[Note:
He picks up on Job's grumbling about justice but then seems to
exaggerate
v.10-12
He declares God's integrity
v.10
“So
listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from
God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong.
v.11
He repays
everyone for what they have done; he brings on them what their
conduct deserves.
v.12
It
is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty
would pervert justice.
[Note:
Some great faith statements!]
v.13-15
He reminds them that God is all-powerful & wise Creator
v.13
Who appointed
him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world?
v.14
If it were
his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath,
v.15
all humanity
would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
[Note:
More faith declaration about the Creator.]
v.16-20
God is the bringer of perfect justice
v.16
“If you have
understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.
v.17
Can
someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and
mighty One?
v.18
Is he not
the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,' and to nobles,
‘You are wicked,'
v.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?
v.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.
[Note:
This all-knowing and all-powerful Creator must be the
only judge and judgment bringer who can be trusted.]
v.21-28
God who sees and knows everything is the bringer of justice and
judgment
v.21
“His
eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step.
v.22
There is no
deep shadow, no utter darkness, where evildoers can hide.
v.23
God has no
need to examine people further, that they should come before him
for judgment.
v.24
Without inquiry
he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place.
v.25
Because he
takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and
they are crushed.
v.26
He punishes
them for their wickedness where everyone can see them,
v.27
because they
turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways.
v.28
They
caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard
the cry of the needy.
[Note:
God sees and knows everything and brings justice & judgment
to the world.]
v.29-33
God judges justly when He finds repentance
v.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,
v.30
to keep the
godless from ruling, from laying snares for the people.
v.31
“Suppose
someone says to God, ‘I am guilty but will offend no more.
v.32
Teach me what
I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.'
v.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.
[Note:
God works to bring justice and repentance to mankind.]
v.34-37
Elihu's conclusion: Speaking beyond what he knows, Job has sinned
v.34
“Men
of understanding declare, wise men who hear me say to me,
v.35
‘Job speaks
without knowledge; his words lack insight.'
v.36
Oh, that Job
might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man!
v.37
To his sin
he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and
multiplies his words against God.”
[Note:
Elihu declares that Job has spoken without knowing the whole picture
[true] and thus verges on wickedness.]
[Concluding
Comments: In trying to assess the truth of what Elihu
says, it is perhaps wise to check Job's final six-chapter speech:
Ch.26
– Job simply affirms the Lord's sovereignty – nothing wrong there.
Ch.27
– he did say he was denied justice (true) but mostly spoke about
his enemies
Ch.28
– was all about where wisdom is found – nothing wrong there.
Ch.29
– was merely a nostalgic look at his past – ditto.
Ch.30
– merely considers the present where he is mocked etc. – ditto.
Ch.31
– merely runs through a list of sins he has NOT committed – ditto.
In
his last speech, therefore, Job had not been in the wrong. To
pick Job apart you would have to analyse the earlier chapters.]