Job chapter thirty four could be outlined:
Job is charged (Job 34:1-9)
God is not unjust (Job 34:10-15)
Evidence of God’s justice (Job 34:16-30)
Elihu reproves Job (Job 34:31-37)
Elihu continues to speak.
1 Elihu further answered and said: 2 "Hear my words, you wise men; Give ear to me, you who have knowledge. 3 For the ear tests words As the palate tastes food. 4 Let us choose justice for ourselves; Let us know among ourselves what is good. 5 "For Job has said, ’I am righteous, But God has taken away my justice; 6 Should I lie concerning my right? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ 7 What man is like Job, Who drinks scorn like water, 8 Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, And walks with wicked men? 9 For he has said, ’It profits a man nothing That he should delight in God.’ Job 34:1-9 (NKJV)
JOB IS CHARGED
In verse two Elihu is trying to get his hearers attention. One way to do that is by flattery. Look at what he calls his listeners:
1. Wise men.
2. Ones who have knowledge.
Verse three is a proverb. “Ears listen to words and absorb them – just like the tongue tastes food and desires it.” Good words tickle our ears. We like to hear good things about ourselves. How much better is it if we can hear words that lead to our advantage in life? Be careful in life – there is much information in life that does not lead to our advantage in Godly things. Who would go to a person for marriage counseling when that person has been divorced five times? Yet that is what is happening in our world today. We promote the perverse.
Let us be careful not to think that our ways are right – even if we are in the majority. If Moses had allowed the people to take a vote while they were in the wilderness – they never would have made it to the promise land - they would have returned to Egypt. We should choose justice for ourselves – but the only way to know justice is to follow the One who is just. We should choose that which is good – but the only way to do that is to follow the One who is completely good.
Elihu now states what he believes Job has claimed:
1. I am righteous.
2. God has taken away justice from me.
3. I will not lie in this matter.
4. There is no way to cure this situation.
5. I am righteous – in other words – I have not sinned.
In verses seven and eight Elihu says: “Who can listen to this stuff? Job is filling us with words that are foolish. He is not telling us the truth! Look – he needs to be put in the same category as those who sin openly against God. He holds hands with evil and wicked men. He is filling our ears with lies.”
In verse nine Elihu says: “Hasn’t Job told us – there in no profit in following God?”
Here are the accusations that Elihu is making against Job.
1. He is a liar
2. He is a sinner.
3. He keeps company with liars and sinners.
4. His words are completely false.
10 "Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: Far be it from God to do wickedness, And from the Almighty to commit iniquity. 11 For He repays man according to his work, And makes man to find a reward according to his way. 12 Surely God will never do wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice. 13 Who gave Him charge over the earth? Or who appointed Him over the whole world? 14 If He should set His heart on it, If He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath, 15 All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust. Job 34:10-15 (NKJV)
GOD IS NOT UNJUST
Verse ten begins with the word – “therefore” – in other words because of what I have just said something is about to take place. Because of the arguments laid before you – listen to me. Elihu gives here two arguments:
1. God does and will not commit wickedness.
2. God will never sin or commit iniquity.
Why? – in verse eleven Elihu gives us the answer. Because God fairly pays back man for what he does. Men are rewarded or punished according to the decisions that they have made.
There is some truth in Elihu argument. Men do reap what they sow. But as has been pointed out throughout this study on Job – bad things happen to good people. We live in a fallen world that has been infected and affected by sin. Due to the fall of Adam we all are touched. But for the grace of God – no one could stand before the Father. God does deal out justice but let us never forget He also deals out mercy.
In verse twelve Elihu emphases what he had said in verse ten:
1. God can never be wicked.
2. God can never pervert justice.
Both of the questions that Elihu asks in verse thirteen can be answered with two words – “no one”. No one put God in charge – He already is. No one appointed Him over His entire creation – by being Creator and Sustainer He already is over all. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. Again to answer Elihu’s two questions:
Who gave God charge over all the earth? No one.
Who appointed God over the entire world? No one.
Verses fourteen and fifteen Elihu makes his point. He says, “If God wanted to – if He set His mind on it – He could take away His Spirit – He could withdraw His breath and all flesh would perish. Every living thing would return to dust. Remember:
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7 (NKJV)
16 "If you have understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words: 17 Should one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn Him who is most just? 18 Is it fitting to say to a king, ’You are worthless,’ And to nobles, ’You are wicked’? 19 Yet He is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; For they are all the work of His hands. 20 In a moment they die, in the middle of the night; The people are shaken and pass away; The mighty are taken away without a hand. 21 "For His eyes are on the ways of man, And He sees all his steps. 22 There is no darkness nor shadow of death Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. 23 For He need not further consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment. 24 He breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry, And sets others in their place. 25 Therefore he knows their works; He overthrows them in the night, And they are crushed. 26 He strikes them as wicked men In the open sight of others, 27 Because they turned back from Him, And would not consider any of His ways, 28 So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to Him; For He hears the cry of the afflicted. 29 When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble? And when He hides His face, who then can see Him, Whether it is against a nation or a man alone?-- 30 That the hypocrite should not reign, Lest the people be ensnared. Job 34:16-30 (NKJV)
EVIDENCE OF GOD’S JUSTICE
In verse sixteen Elihu again appeals to his listeners to listen. He says to them, “If you are full of understanding – then listen to the words I have to say.”
Now he asks three (or four) questions:
1. Should a person who hates justice be a judge?
2. Will you condemn a person who is most innocent?
3. Is it right to talk about leader and say that he is worthless? (When God has appointed him in that position?)
4. Is it right to talk about the leaders of a nation and call them wicked?
Let me make some comments on the third question. Elihu thinks it would be totally improper to slander a leader – yet in our time and in our country we do it all the time. It is a gross sin of our nation. In the workings of God – He has placed leaders to be in the positions that they are in. Look at what Hebrews tells us:
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:17 (ASV)
What of Romans chapter thirteen verse one:
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Romans 13:1 (NKJV)
Or what of First Peter chapter two:
“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.” 1 Peter 2:13-14 (ESV)
Barnes says on this verse:
“There would be gross impropriety in arraigning the conduct of an earthly monarch, and using language severely condemning what he does. Respect is due to those of elevated rank. Their plans are often concealed. It is difficult to judge of them until they are fully developed. To condemn those plans, and to use the language of complaint, would not be tolerated, and would be grossly improper. How much more so when that language relates to the Great, the Infinite God, and to his eternal plans!” It may be added here, in accordance with the sentiment of Elihu, that people often indulge in thoughts and language about God which they would not tolerate respecting an earthly monarch.
Clarke says:
“Civil governors should be treated with respect; no man should speak evil of the ruler of the people. This should never be permitted. Even where the man cannot be respected, because his moral conduct is improper, even there the office is sacred, and should be reverenced. He who permits himself to talk against the man, would destroy the office and authority, if he could.”
Folks let us remember this goes for the leaders of our churches as well. God has placed your pastor in the position for a purpose.
31 "For has anyone said to God, ’ I have borne chastening; I will offend no more; 32 Teach me what I do not see; If I have done iniquity, I will do no more’? 33 Should He repay it according to your terms, Just because you disavow it? You must choose, and not I; Therefore speak what you know. 34 "Men of understanding say to me, Wise men who listen to me: 35 ’Job speaks without knowledge, His words are without wisdom.’ 36 Oh, that Job were tried to the utmost, Because his answers are like those of wicked men! 37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; He claps his hands among us, And multiplies his words against God." Job 34:31-37 (NKJV)
ELIHU REPROVES JOB
In verses thirty one and thirty two Elihu is telling Job to “fess up” – confess his sin. He tells Job to proclaim to God, “I have borne my punishment – I will do it no more. Teach me Lord what I have done wrong and I will do it no more.” The Message Bible says it like this:
"So why don’t you simply confess to God? Say, ’I sinned, but I’ll sin no more. Teach me to see what I still don’t see. Whatever evil I’ve done, I’ll do it no more.’ Job 34:31-32 (MSG)
In verse thirty three Elihu asks Job a question, “Should God have to live on your terms – or should you live on His? You are the only one who can make that decision. Therefore – make a choice.”
Men must choose their own path – no one can do it for them. Even if you choose to choose a path of isolation so that you don’t have to make many choices – you have made a choice. Life is full of choices. We all make decisions – and we will all stand or fall by them. Someone has said, “The decisions that we make – make us.”
Elihu now says in verses thirty four and thirty five, “Men who listen to me – men who have understanding tell me that You – Job – are speaking foolishness. You have no knowledge – you have no understanding of what is going on.”
What accusations? How often we assume – without first walking in other person’s shoes or having hard evidence. Folks let us be very careful here. When we make accusations – we are attacking the person’s character. When we tell a person that what they are saying to us in no way could possibly be the truth – we are calling that person a liar. If you don’t know it to be an absolute truth – them it possibly may be the truth and you are bearing false witness.
In verses thirty six and thirty seven Elihu now gives his verdict. “Let Job be tried to the utmost. Let him be found guilty. Let him be tried just like all wicked men should be tried. Let us add another item to his list of charges. He can also be charged with rebellion. He shakes his fist at God – he is in open rebellion with all that he has said.”
Oh Elihu what of the words,
"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ’Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5 (NKJV)
