God Watches Everything We Do
March 15, 2019
Commentary
Elihu turns to the three friends and speaks (v. 1). In this second speech, he sets himself up to defend God. God does not need help. He calls the wise to listen (v. 2) and test his words (v. 3). Elihu repeats Job’s words, yet he listened with his ears and not his heart, and his tone became harsh. Job claimed he had the right on his side and that God treated him unjustly (v. 5). Still, what happened seemed to challenge that claim (v. 6). Elihu asks if virtue has no reward (v. 7).
Elihu accuses Job of keeping company with the wicked, though there was no proof (vv. 8-9). He declares that God cannot do wrong. God repays each person according to his deeds and never acts unjustly (vv. 10-12). If God withdrew His Spirit, all would perish (vv. 14–15). Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, and Elihu each speak some truth, yet truth is mixed with wrong assumptions. Even if we know Scripture, our conclusions must agree with the Word of God. Again, Elihu urges them to hear him. If God is unjust, there could be no justice on earth. He shows no partiality and removes both strong and weak (vv. 16-20).
No darkness can hide evil (v. 22). God knows all and brings judgment in His time (vv. 23–26). People are judged for turning from Him and oppressing the poor (vv. 27–28). If He is silent, who can condemn Him (v. 29)? He acts in justice. Wicked rulers will not succeed (v. 30). Elihu challenges Job and says wise men would declare that he spoke without knowledge and wisdom (vv. 34–35). Elihu ends by saying Job added rebellion, shown by the clapping of hands (v. 37).
What is said of Job may be said of us. We often speak without knowledge and wisdom. A degree does not guarantee knowledge. When education becomes pride, it can take God’s rightful place.
Application
Do I listen with both ears and heart, or only with my own opinions? When I speak about God, am I humble or harsh? Do I assume I fully understand His ways? Nothing is hidden from Him. Am I living honestly before His eyes? I’ll guard my heart from pride. Teach myself to speak with knowledge, wisdom, understanding, and compassion.
Job 34:1–37 (NET)
1 Elihu answered:
2 “Listen to my words, you wise men; hear me, you learned men.
3 For the ear assesses words as the mouth tastes food.
4 Let us evaluate for ourselves what is right; let us come to know among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job says, ‘I am innocent, but God turns away my right.
6 Concerning my right, should I lie? My wound is incurable, although I am without transgression.’
7 Who is there like Job, who drinks derision like water?
8 He goes about in company with evildoers, he goes along with wicked men.
9 For he says, ‘It does not profit a man when he makes his delight with God.’
10 “Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wickedness, from the Almighty to do evil.
11 For he repays a person for his work, and according to the conduct of a person, he causes the consequences to find him.
12 Indeed, in truth, God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
13 Who entrusted to him the earth? And who put him over the whole world?
14 If God were to set his heart on it, and gather in his spirit and his breath,
15 all flesh would perish together and human beings would return to dust.
16 “If you have understanding, listen to this, hear what I have to say.
17 Do you really think that one who hates justice can govern? And will you declare guilty the supremely Righteous One,
18 who says to a king, ‘Worthless man,’ and to nobles, ‘Wicked men,’
19 who shows no partiality to princes, and does not take note of the rich more than the poor, because all of them are the work of his hands?
20 In a moment they die, in the middle of the night, people are shaken and they pass away. The mighty are removed effortlessly.
21 For his eyes are on the ways of an individual, he observes all a person’s steps.
22 There is no darkness, and no deep darkness, where evildoers can hide themselves.
23 For he does not still consider a person, that he should come before God in judgment.
24 He shatters the great without inquiry, and sets up others in their place.
25 Therefore, he knows their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
26 He strikes them for their wickedness, in a place where people can see,
27 because they have turned away from following him, and have not understood any of his ways,
28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he hears the cry of the needy.
29 But if God is quiet, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, then who can see him? Yet he is over the individual and the nation alike,
30 so that the godless man should not rule, and not lay snares for the people.
31 “Has anyone said to God, ‘I have endured chastisement, but I will not act wrongly any more;
32 teach me what I cannot see; if I have done evil, I will do so no more’?
33 Is it your opinion that God should recompense it, because you reject this? But you must choose, and not I, so tell us what you know.
34 Men of understanding say to me— any wise man listening to me says—
35 that Job speaks without knowledge and his words are without understanding.
36 But Job will be tested to the end, because his answers are like those of wicked men.
37 For he adds transgression to his sin; in our midst he claps his hands, and multiplies his words against God.”
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