Job Chapter 34

From The Open Bible Project

34:1 Moreover Elihu answered,

34:2 "Hear my words, you wise men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.

(a) Which are esteemed wise by the world.

34:3 For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.

34:4 Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.

(b) Let us examine the matter uprightly.

34:5 For Job has said, 'I am righteous, God has taken away my right:

34:6 Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.'

(d) Should I say, I am wicked, being an innocent?
(e) I am more punished, than my sin deserves.

34:7 What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water,

(f) Which is compelled to receive your reproach and scorns of many for his foolish words.

34:8 Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men?

(g) Meaning that Job was like the wicked, because he seemed not to glorify God and submit himself to his judgments.

34:9 For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.'

(h) He wrests Job�s words who said that God�s children are often punished in this world, and the wicked go free.
(i) That is, live godly, (Genesis 5:22).

34:10 "Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

34:11 For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

34:12 Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.

34:13 Who put him in charge of the earth? or who has appointed him over the whole world?

34:14 If he set his heart on himself, If he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,

(k) To destroy him.
(l) The breath of life which he gave man.

34:15 all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.

34:16 "If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.

34:17 Shall even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?--

(m) If God were not just, how could be govern the world?

34:18 Who says to a king, 'Vile!' or to nobles, 'Wicked!'?

(n) If man by nature fears to speak evil of such as have power, then they should be much more afraid to speak evil of God.

34:19 Who doesn't respect the persons of princes, nor respects the rich more than the poor; for they all are the work of his hands.

34:20 In a moment they die, even at midnight. The people are shaken and pass away. The mighty are taken away without a hand.

(o) When they look not for it.
(p) The messengers of visitation that God will send.

34:21 "For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings.

34:22 There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

34:23 For he doesn't need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.

(q) God does not afflict man above measure so that he should have opportunity to contend with him.

34:24 He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place.

(r) For all his creatures are at hand to serve him, so that he needs not to seek for any other army.

34:25 Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

(s) Make it known that they are wicked.
(t) Declare the things that were hid.

34:26 He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;

(u) Meaning, openly in the sight of all men.

34:27 because they turned aside from following him, and wouldn't pay attention to any of his ways,

34:28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted.

(x) By their cruelty and extortion.

34:29 When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? Alike whether to a nation, or to a man,

34:30 that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.

(y) When tyrants sit in the throne of justice which under pretence of executing justice are hypocrites and oppress the people, it is a sign that God has drawn back his countenance of favour from that place.

34:31 "For has any said to God, 'I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.

(z) It only belongs to God to moderate his corrections, and not to man.

34:32 Teach me that which I don't see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?

(a) Thus Elihu speaks in the person of God, as it were mocking Job, because he would be wiser than God.

34:33 Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know.

(b) Will God use your counsel in doing his works?
(c) Thus he speaks in the person of God, as though Job should chose and refuse affliction at his pleasure.

34:34 Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:

34:35 'Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.'

34:36 I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.