Job34

Elihu begins by addressing wise men, refuting Job's claims of righteousness and God's injustice. He asserts God's absolute righteousness and power, stating that the Almighty never acts wickedly or perverts judgment. Elihu emphasizes that God renders to each person according to their ways and sees all their actions, punishing the wicked without partiality.

Elihu Appeals to the Wise

1
Elihu continued speaking:
2
"Hear my words, you sages! Listen to me, you who know so much!
3
For the ear tests words, just as the palate tastes food. ​
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Let's choose for ourselves what is just; let's decide among ourselves what is good.

Job's Words Are Condemned

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For Iyov says, 'I am in the right, but God is denying me justice. ​
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Against justice, I am considered a liar; my wound is mortal, though I committed no crime.'
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"Is there a man like Iyov, who drinks in scoffing like water,
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who keeps company with evildoers and goes with wicked men,
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since he thinks, 'It profits a person nothing to be in accord with God'? ​

God Is Absolutely Righteous

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"So listen to me, you men with sense! Far be it from God to do anything wicked! ​
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For he pays people back for what they do and sees that each gets what his conduct deserves. ​
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It is certain that God does nothing wicked; Shaddai will not pervert justice.
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Did someone else put him in charge of the earth? Who else established the entire world?
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If he were to take back man's heart to himself, if he gathered to himself his spirit and breath; ​
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all flesh would instantly perish, everyone would return to dust.

God's Impartial Rule and Justice

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"If you have any sense, [Iyov,] hear this; listen to what I am saying.
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Should a hater of justice be in control? If you wouldn't tell a king, 'You're a scoundrel!'or nobles, 'You are wicked men!'then you shouldn't condemn the Just and Mighty One, ​
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Consolidated into verse 17 by this translation.
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who is neither partial toward princes nor favors the rich over the poor, since they all are the work of his hands. ​
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They may die in a moment, in the middle of the night -the people are shaken and pass away, the mighty are removed without human hands.
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For he keeps watch on a person's ways; he sees his every step.
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There is no darkness, no death-like gloom, where wrongdoers can hide; ​
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for he doesn't give warning to people when they must appear before God in judgment.
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He shatters the mighty without needing to investigate and sets up others in their place.
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Therefore, aware of what they are doing, he overturns them by night, and they are crushed.
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He strikes them as if they were common criminals in the open sight of others,
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because they turned away from following him and gave no thought to any of his ways,
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thereby bringing before him the cries of the poor; and he hears the cries of the oppressed.
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"But if God is silent, who can accuse him; if he hides his face, who can see him? He may do this to nations and persons alike, ​
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so that godless men will not become kings, and the people will not be lured into traps. ​

A Call for Repentance

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"For has anyone said to God, 'I have been chastised without having offended; ​
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teach me what I have failed to see; and if I have done wrong, I will do it no more'?
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Must his rewards meet your approval? Well, you are the one who doesn't like them, so you, not I, should pick the alternative; come on, say what you think! ​
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Intelligent people will tell me, every wise man who hears me will say,
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'Iyov is speaking without thinking; his words lack discernment.' ​
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"I wish Iyov would be kept on trial forever, because he answers like wicked men. ​
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For now to his sin he adds rebellion; he [mockingly] claps his hands among us and keeps adding to his words against God."

Study Notes for Job 34

Verse 3

This verse uses a common poetic metaphor to encourage discernment, suggesting that just as the mouth tests food for quality, the mind must carefully evaluate the truth of the statements being made.

Verse 5

Elihu begins his critique by summarizing Job’s statements, accusing Job of claiming absolute righteousness while simultaneously charging God with injustice (cf. Job 9:20; 27:2).

Verse 9

Elihu interprets Job's despair as a statement that serving God or delighting in Him is ultimately futile since piety does not guarantee protection from suffering.

Verse 10

This is a fundamental theological assertion: God’s nature precludes Him from acting wickedly or committing iniquity. This serves as the bedrock for Elihu's entire defense of divine justice.

Verse 11

Elihu affirms the principle of divine retribution, arguing that God rewards or punishes human beings according to their actions. This directly challenges Job’s experience of innocent suffering.

Verse 14

This passage stresses God’s absolute sovereignty over creation. If God were to withdraw His life-giving Spirit and breath, all humanity would instantly perish and return to dust (cf. Ps. 104:29).

Verse 17

A rhetorical question asserting the necessity of justice in governance. If a ruler did not uphold right, they could not govern; therefore, God, the most just, must rule justly.

Verse 19

Elihu emphasizes God’s impartiality. Unlike corrupt earthly rulers who favor the rich or powerful, God judges all people equally, recognizing that all are equally His creation.

Verse 22

This verse affirms God's omniscience. No place, whether physical darkness or the 'shadow of death' (a poetic phrase for deep obscurity or despair), can hide the wicked from God’s sight.

Verse 29

This highlights God's absolute control over circumstances. Whether God grants peace or hides His face (a sign of displeasure), no human or national power can alter the divine decree.

Verse 30

The ultimate purpose of God’s intervention, even against nations, is often to prevent the reign of tyrannical or godless rulers ('hypocrites') who would corrupt the people.

Verse 31

Elihu suggests the proper response Job should have adopted: immediate submission, acceptance of chastisement, and a promise to cease offending God.

Verse 33

Elihu challenges Job directly: Job cannot dictate the terms of justice or compensation to God. God will judge according to His own wisdom, regardless of Job’s refusal or choice.

Verse 35

This is Elihu's central conclusion regarding Job’s arguments: they lack theological wisdom and are rooted in ignorance of God’s just character.

Verse 36

Elihu wishes for Job to continue being tested until he repents. He views Job’s defense of his own innocence as akin to taking the side of the wicked.

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