Job chapter 34
Elihu arrogantly accuses Job of arrogance. Like a politician, Elihu lies in order to win his argument.
ELIHU ARROGANTLY ACCUSES JOB OF ARROGANCE
VERSE 1. Moreover Elihu answered,
VERSE 2. “Hear my words, you wise men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.
Hear my words. Elihu describes his talk as a defense of God’s justice.
However, it is not that. Not in the slightest. Elihu continues to attack Job, using theological terminology.
you wise men. Elihu is not speaking to Job. Rather, he is complaining about Job to the three “friends.”
VERSE 3. For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.
VERSE 4. Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.
VERSE 5. For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, God has taken away my right:
I am righteous. This is not true. Rather, Job said he was not aware of any sin that would trigger all his problems.
Elihu is like a politician who lies in order to win their argument.
VERSE 6. Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.’
VERSE 7. What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water,
VERSE 8. Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men?
VERSE 9. For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.’
he has said. Job did not say this. Elihu has spoken yet another lie.
VERSE 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.
far be it from God, that he should do wickedness. That is, the LORD God cannot do evil.
Elihu wishes this were true, and states it as a fact. However, God is completely free and may do as he wishes.
VERSE 11. For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
VERSE 12. Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
VERSE 13. Who put him in charge of the earth? or who has appointed him over the whole world?
VERSE 14. If he set his heart on himself, If he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,
VERSE 15. all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.
VERSE 16. “If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.
VERSE 17. Shall even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?—
VERSE 18. Who says to a king, ‘Vile!’ or to nobles, ‘Wicked!’?
VERSE 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.
VERSE 20. In a moment they die, even at midnight. The people are shaken and pass away. The mighty are taken away without a hand.
In a moment they die. Elihu is pleased that wicked people can perish at any moment, night or day.
However, that is true of every person, righteous or not. Anyone can die. At any moment.
VERSE 21. “For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings.
VERSE 22. There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
VERSE 23. For he doesn’t need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.
VERSE 24. He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place.
VERSE 25. Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
VERSE 26. He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
VERSE 27. because they turned away from following him, and wouldn’t pay attention to any of his ways,
VERSE 28. so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted.
VERSE 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,
VERSE 30. that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.
the godless man. The Hebrew word is khaneif. It means “irreligious person.”
VERSE 31. “For has any said to God, ‘I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.
VERSE 32. Teach me that which I don’t see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?
VERSE 33. Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know.
VERSE 34. Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:
VERSE 35. ‘Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.’
Job speaks without knowledge. Elihu continues to lie. And he continues to accuse Job of lying.
VERSE 36. I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.
VERSE 37. For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God.”
JOB
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Job’s Dark Night
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