341 Elihu continued: 2 "So, my fine friends - listen to me, and see what you think of this. 3 Isn't it just common sense - as common as the sense of taste - 4 To put our heads together and figure out what's going on here? 5 "We've all heard Job say, 'I'm in the right, but God won't give me a fair trial. 6 When I defend myself, I'm called a liar to my face. I've done nothing wrong, and I get punished anyway.' 7 Have you ever heard anything to beat this? Does nothing faze this man Job? 8 Do you think he's spent too much time in bad company, hanging out with the wrong crowd, 9 So that now he's parroting their line: 'It doesn't pay to try to please God'?
10 "You're veterans in dealing with these matters; certainly we're of one mind on this. It's impossible for God to do anything evil; no way can the Mighty One do wrong. 11 He makes us pay for exactly what we've done - no more, no less. Our chickens always come home to roost. 12 It's impossible for God to do anything wicked, for the Mighty One to subvert justice. 13 He's the one who runs the earth! He cradles the whole world in his hand! 14 If he decided to hold his breath, 15 every man, woman, and child would die for lack of air. God Is Working Behind the Scenes
16 "So, Job, use your head; this is all pretty obvious. 17 Can someone who hates order, keep order? Do you dare condemn the righteous, mighty God? 18 Doesn't God always tell it like it is, exposing corrupt rulers as scoundrels and criminals? 19 Does he play favorites with the rich and famous and slight the poor? Isn't he equally responsible to everybody? 20 Don't people who deserve it die without notice? Don't wicked rulers tumble to their doom? When the so-called great ones are wiped out, we know God is working behind the scenes. 21 "He has his eyes on every man and woman. He doesn't miss a trick.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 34:1-21
Commentary on Job 34:1-9
(Read Job 34:1-9)
Elihu calls upon those present to decide with him upon Job's words. The plainest Christian, whose mind is enlightened, whose heart is sanctified by the Spirit of God, and who is versed in the Scriptures, can say how far matters, words, or actions, agree with true religion, better than any that lean to their own understandings. Job had spoken as if he meant wholly to justify himself. He that say, I have cleansed my hands in vain, does not only offend against God's children, Psalm 73:13-15, but gratifies his enemies, and says as they say.
Commentary on Job 34:10-15
(Read Job 34:10-15)
Elihu had showed Job, that God meant him no hurt by afflicting him, but intended his spiritual benefit. Here he shows, that God did him no wrong by afflicting him. If the former did not satisfy him, this ought to silence him. God cannot do wickedness, nor the Almighty commit wrong. If services now go unrewarded, and sins now go unpunished, yet there is a day coming, when God will fully render to every man according to his works. Further, though the believer's final condemnation is done away through the Saviour's ransom, yet he has merited worse than any outward afflictions; so that no wrong is done to him, however he may be tried.
Commentary on Job 34:16-30
(Read Job 34:16-30)
Elihu appeals directly to Job himself. Could he suppose that God was like those earthly princes, who hate right, who are unfit to rule, and prove the scourges of mankind? It is daring presumption to condemn God's proceedings, as Job had done by his discontents. Elihu suggests divers considerations to Job, to produce in him high thoughts of God, and so to persuade him to submit. Job had often wished to plead his cause before God. Elihu asks, To what purpose? All is well that God does, and will be found so. What can make those uneasy, whose souls dwell at ease in God? The smiles of all the world cannot quiet those on whom God frowns.