Bible Commentaries
Job 34

Verses 1-37

Chapter 34

Furthermore Elihu went on then [Job didn't answer], he said, Hear my words, O ye wise men; give ear unto me, that have knowledge. For the ear tries words, as the mouth tastes meat ( Job 34:1-3 ).

That's a very picturesque phase, isn't it? The ear tries words even as your mouth tastes meat. You taste it, see what it's like. Your ears listen to it, you know, and judges it, see what it tastes like.

Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good. For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God has taken away my judgment. Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression ( Job 34:4-6 ).

This is what Job is saying. And then Elihu answers,

What man is like Job, who drinks up scorning like water? ( Job 34:7 )

Here you guys have been scorning him and the guy is just drinking it up like water. You ever see anybody like that? He's saying, "I'm righteous," you know. "I'm afflicted for nothing." This guy is just drinking up your scorn like water. Have you ever seen anybody like Job?

For he hath said, It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God. Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways. Yes, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment. Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world? If he set his heart upon man, if he gathers unto himself his spirit and his breath; All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust. If thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words. Shall even he that hates right govern? and will you condemn him that is most just? Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, You are ungodly? How much less to him that accepts not the persons of princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor? for they are all the work of his hands ( Job 34:9-19 ).

God has created all men. And we're really... Paul said, "Who are you, oh man, who judges another man's servant." Before his own master, he either stands or falls. God is able to make him to stand. We're not really to be guilty of condemning and judging our neighbor. "Judge not, lest ye be judged" ( Matthew 7:1 ). So Elihu is sort of pointing out this very same thing. God has made each man.

In a moment they will die, the people will be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without a hand. For his eyes are upon the ways of man, he sees his goings. There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God. He will break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead. Therefore he knows their works, he overturns them in the night, and they are destroyed. He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others; Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways: So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he hears the cry of the afflicted. When he gives quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hides his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a single individual: That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared. Surely it is necessary to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more: That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more ( Job 34:20-32 ).

So he's really saying to Job, "Now, Job, you'd be much better off to say to God, 'If I have borne this chastisement, I won't offend You anymore and, Father, show me what it is. Teach me if I've done inequity that I will do it no more.'"

Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether you refuse, or whether you choose; and not I: therefore speak what you know. Let men of understanding tell me, and let wise men hearken unto me. Job has spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom. My desire is that Job may be tried to the end because of his answers for wicked men. For he hath added rebellion unto his sin, he claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God ( Job 34:33-37 ).

Elihu is really laying it on. "Job, I wish God would even do worse to you, man. I wish He'd take you right out to the end. 'Cause here you are clapping your hands at us and yelling at us and this kind of stuff and telling us that God is not fair." "