Job 34:10–12

Job had spoken so wrongly about God on the one hand, and on the other so lightly about the way wicked people do well in the world, that Elihu could not help saying, "He goes in company with scorners," with those who do evil, "and walks with wicked men." That was just the kind of talk that would please them. It was talk that would weaken conscience and encourage sinners, as much as it would grieve those who love God.

Elihu does not seem to be addressing the three friends as "wise men," nor any particular group. Some have thought he is speaking to the crowd that had gathered to listen to the argument. That may be true, but his words look like a general appeal to the judgment of the wise everywhere and for all time. Elihu is dealing with principles that apply to everyone. The examination of Job's attitude is only what prompted him to state them.

God is righteous: (a) Because He is God (verses 10-12). (b) Because of His kind care (verses 13-15). (c) Because of His greatness (verses 16-20). (d) Because He knows everything (verses 21-25). (e) Because of His judgment (verses 26-30).

The very fact that God exists denies that He is unrighteous. The One who is perfect in every way could not think or do evil. So James says, "God cannot be tempted with evil" (James 1:13). Mark this way of reasoning well. It turns away from all secondary causes, away from the hard problems and dark puzzles of the world, to Him who is light.

This way of thinking finds its rest in God; blessed rest. "Far be it from God to do evil." "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). The Almighty — the One with all power — can do everything, but "He cannot lie." "He cannot deny Himself." That is what makes His dealings with people perfectly and evenly just... This does not mean that Job's friends were right in their charges. It means that God is dealing with Job in complete justice, making him learn the lessons he needed. How could God act wickedly or twist what is right? He would not be God if that were possible.

Job should not have had the slightest doubt about this, no matter how much he had suffered... He does not say when God repays a man, because that depends on God's wisdom, which we cannot search out. But God will never do wickedly or pervert justice (v.12), the way Job had concluded God had done in his case.

If God were not righteous — indeed the very source of righteousness — how could He govern?... Elihu urges Job to understand that God is righteous, and that in His righteousness He can act as He wills... Since this is so, the true place for Job was confession.

Elihu's second speech aims to prove that no one may doubt God's fairness in government. It also aims to prove that Job, who dared to accuse that fairness, deserves serious blame for encouraging the evil and the scornful, in thought and word. God, sovereign in Himself, cannot err in His ways; He is righteous by His very nature. Abraham reasoned this way in Genesis 18:25, and so does every man, unless his mind and conscience are defiled. No one can even imagine injustice in the Almighty. His servants may fail — never the Fountain of all good.

"God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). The Almighty — the Omnipotent — can do everything, but "He cannot lie." "He cannot deny Himself." This ensures perfect, even justice in His dealings with men. He will repay a man's own work to him, and He will cause him to find the results of his own ways. This does not mean that Job's friends are right in their charges. It means that God is dealing in absolute justice with Job, and causing him to learn the lessons he needs.

Then he makes the simple, clear declaration, "Far be it from God to do wickedness, and from the Almighty to commit iniquity." Job should not have had the slightest doubt about this, no matter how much he had suffered. Whatever questions arose in Job's mind, the fact remains: "according to the work of a man he will repay him, and according to his ways he will make it befall him" (v.11). He does not say when God repays man. That timing depends on God's unsearchable wisdom. But God will never do wickedly or pervert justice (v.12), as Job had suggested God had done in his case.

Whether man sees it or not, every act of God and every permission of God is necessary, both in His dealings with a nation and with a man. "For His eyes are on the ways of man, and He sees all his steps. There is no darkness, and no shadow of death, where those who do evil may hide themselves." God's providence with the world and His discipline with His own children may take many forms — chastening, or even removal by death. Whatever the form, all His ways are in righteousness and truth.

As Galatians says, a man reaps what he sows. This, however, is not grace but government. Still, it is true of a saint as well as of a sinner. God has both kinds of dealing with the saints now — in grace, and in righteous government. I shall never reap the reward of my sins in eternal blessedness, for grace is infinite. But under righteous government I shall reap the reward of my wrongdoing down here.

Elihu urges Job to understand that God is righteous, and in His righteousness He can act as He will. "He will not lay upon men more than is right, that he should enter into judgment with God." Since this is so, the true place for Job was confession: "Surely it is right to say to God, I have borne punishment — I will not offend any more." These varied lessons are steps forward in the history of a soul. The account gives them to us as one continuous, unbroken story. But we must remember that there are often long and painful gaps while a soul learns each step.

Elihu deals fairly with Job's statements. He either quotes Job's words, sums them up, or draws the obvious conclusions. Job had declared again and again that he was righteous, or guiltless. This is the whole burden of his complaint against God. He had declared that God had taken away his judgment. He said he was innocent, so if he confessed sin he would be a liar. He said his wound cannot be healed, even though he has done nothing wrong.

"Far be it from God that He should do wickedness." "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all." The Almighty — the all-powerful One — can do everything, but "He cannot lie." "He cannot deny Himself." This ensures perfect, even justice in His dealings with men. He will repay a man his own work, and He will cause him to find the results of his own ways. This does not mean that Job's friends were right in their charges. It means that God is dealing with Job in absolute justice, so that he learns the lessons he needs. How could God act wickedly or pervert the right? He would not be God if this were possible.

Far be it from God [El] to do wickedness, and from Shaddai to do perverseness. For the work of man He reports to him, and causes each to find according to his way. Yes, truly, God [El] does not act wickedly, and Shaddai does not pervert the right. Who committed the earth to Him? And who established the whole world?

If God were not righteous — indeed, the fountain of righteousness — how could He govern? "Shall one who hates justice govern?" … Elihu urges Job to understand that God is righteous, and that in His righteousness He can act as He wills. He does not lay on anyone more than is right. Since this is so, the true place for Job was that of confession.

"For according to the work of a man He will repay him." Quite true. But God has His own time and His own way for everything. He acts even before that final repayment which awaits those who do evil: "Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice." Elihu holds to that, as we have seen — the greatness of God, who stoops down in mercy to bless man even in the sorrows of this world. He gives God His honour, and stands assured of His unbending righteousness.

If we lose faith in God's righteousness, what is left? … The effect of such teaching is that there is no profit in seeking to please God, or in having fellowship with Him. What a monstrous charge to fall from the lips of one who was a child of God! We can be thankful that Job's faith did not fail, despite this cloud of unbelief. But Elihu is faithful, so he must put the point of the knife on the festering sore. That sore is more serious than his physical illness.