341 Then Elihu continued and said , 2 "Hear my words , you wise men , And listen to me, you who know . 3 "For the ear tests words As the palate tastes food . 4 "Let us choose for ourselves what is right ; Let us know among ourselves what is good . 5 "For Job has said , ' I am righteous , But God has taken away my right ; 6 Should I lie concerning my right ? My wound is incurable , though I am without transgression .' 7 "What man is like Job , Who drinks up derision like water , 8 Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity , And walks with wicked men ? 9 "For he has said , ' It profits a man nothing When he is pleased with God .'
10 "Therefore , listen to me, you men of understanding . Far be it from God to do wickedness , And from the Almighty to do wrong . 11 "For He pays a man according to his work , And makes him find it according to his way . 12 "Surely e , God will not act wickedly , And the Almighty will not pervert justice . 13 "Who gave Him authority over the earth ? And who has laid on Him the whole world ? 14 "If He should determine e to do so, If He should gather to Himself His spirit and His breath , 15 All flesh would perish together , And man would return to dust .
16 "But if you have understanding , hear this ; Listen to the sound of my words . 17 "Shall one who hates justice rule ? And will you condemn the righteous mighty One , 18 Who says to a king , 'Worthless one ,' To nobles , 'Wicked ones '; 19 Who shows no partiality e to princes Nor regards the rich above the poor , For they all are the work of His hands ? 20 "In a moment they die , and at midnight e People are shaken and pass away , And the mighty are taken away without a hand . 21 "For His eyes are upon the ways of a man , And He sees all his steps .
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.