Job Chapter 34 — Elihu Defends God's Justice
Elihu continues his speech by asserting that God is perfectly just and cannot do wrong, critiquing Job for suggesting God has denied him justice.
1Moreover Elihu answered,
2“Hear my words, you wise men.
3For the ear tries words,
4Let us choose for us that which is right.
5For Job has said, ‘I am righteous,
6Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar.
7What man is like Job,
8who goes in company with the workers of iniquity,
9For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing
10“Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding:
11For the work of a man he will give to him,
12Yes surely, God will not do wickedly,
13Who put him in charge of the earth?
14If he set his heart on himself,
15all flesh would perish together,
16“If now you have understanding, hear this.
17Should even one who hates justice govern?
18who says to a king, ‘Vile!’
19He doesn’t respect the persons of princes,
20In a moment they die, even at midnight.
21“For his eyes are on the ways of a man.
22There is no darkness, nor thick gloom,
23For he doesn’t need to consider a man further,
24He breaks mighty men in pieces in ways past finding out,
25Therefore he takes knowledge of their works.
26He strikes them as wicked men
27because they turned away from following him,
28so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him.
29When he gives quietness, who then can condemn?
30that the godless man may not reign,
31“For has any said to God,
32Teach me that which I don’t see.
33Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it?
34Men of understanding will tell me,
35‘Job speaks without knowledge.
36I wish that Job were tried to the end,
37For he adds rebellion to his sin.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Job 34:12
“Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.”
This verse encapsulates Elihu's core argument that God's nature is fundamentally just.
Job 34:21
“For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his goings.”
It highlights God's omniscience and constant watchfulness over human actions.
Chapter Summary
Elihu addresses a group of wise men to examine Job's recent claims. He specifically focuses on Job’s assertion that he is righteous yet denied justice by God. Elihu argues that it is impossible for God to act wickedly or pervert justice because God is the supreme creator and sustainer of all life. He emphasizes God's omniscience, noting that God sees every path a person takes and requires no special inquiry to judge the mighty or the wicked. Elihu concludes that Job’s complaints stem from a lack of knowledge and that his continued questioning of God’s governance is a form of rebellion. The chapter reinforces the idea that God's authority is absolute and His judgments are beyond human reproach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Elihu addresses 'wise men' and 'men of understanding,' inviting them to listen to his arguments and judge for themselves whether Job's complaints against God are valid.
Elihu argues that God is inherently just and sovereign. He claims that Job is wrong to suggest God has been unfair, as God's power and position as Creator make it impossible for Him to act wickedly.
Elihu states that God's eyes are always on the ways of man and that no darkness or shadow is thick enough to hide workers of iniquity from His sight.
Study Note
Elihu shifts the debate from a personal dialogue to a public trial format, appealing to 'wise men' as a jury to evaluate Job's statements.
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