Job 34:26–30

He shows what Job had got so badly wrong. First, in saying, "I am righteous"; and then for saying it was no use serving God. That shows how self-righteousness leads to unbelief and the deepest spiritual wickedness. God is then shown to be just in all His ways. Man may not see it, but there is a need for every act of God and every permission of God. That is true of His dealings with a nation and of His dealings with a single man.

"Therefore He knows their works" — He has no need to investigate them patiently first. He overthrows them, even in the night, when they think they are hidden from view, "and they are crushed." This often happens, but only when God decides it. So He may strike them in their wickedness where others can see, rather than in the dark. The reason is given at once: they turned aside from following Him, and had no regard for any of His ways. This was not true of Job, yet he had spoken in the way the wicked speak.

He takes account of their deeds. He overturns in a night, and they are crushed, as wicked, struck openly before others. He does this for their deliberate slight of Him and His ways, and to vindicate the poor and oppressed who cried to Him. So truly sovereign is He, and also just and merciful: nation or man makes no difference, since He is above both.

Elihu goes on to speak of the searching judgment of God. It is completely impartial: the rich are subject to it just as much as the poor. And there is no gloom or deep darkness where those who work evil may hide themselves. He went on to say that God's judgments are always right, and that He acts as seems good in His sight. He breaks in pieces and overthrows mighty men, yet on the other hand He hears the cry of the afflicted.

Elihu reminds his hearers in a few words of God's actual judgments. He strikes down evildoers who depart from Him; He remembers the cause of the poor and needy. So too, if He acquits and gives quietness, who can condemn? "It is God who justifies; who is to condemn?" And if He hides His face, who can look upon Him? This is true whether He deals this way with one person or with mankind in general. He puts down evil men so that they cannot trap the people.

If Job has unfairly charged God in this way, he has a most important lesson to learn. What is fitting for a man in his position? Should he boldly assert his own righteousness and accuse God? Or should he humbly admit that he was wrong to hold such thoughts, and pray, "Teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more"?

He takes notice of their deeds. He overturns them in a night, and they are crushed as wicked men. He strikes them openly before others, for their deliberate contempt of Him and His ways, and to vindicate the poor and oppressed who cried to Him. He is truly sovereign, and at the same time just and merciful. It makes no difference whether a nation or a single man is in view, for He is above both. He acts so that no corrupt man may reign and trap the people.

These were those who oppressed the poor.

"Yet He is not partial to princes, nor does He regard the rich more than the poor" (v.19). Job had been rich, but he should have observed that God did not favour him above others who were poor. In fact, he imagines that God showed partiality by allowing him to suffer rather than others. But this only exposed his lack of discernment. However, all men are "the work of His hands." God is doing a very wise work with every individual.

Elihu goes on to speak of the searching judgment of God. There is no darkness or deep shadow where those who do evil may hide themselves. He went on to say that God's judgments are always right. He acts as seems good in His sight, breaking in pieces and overthrowing mighty men, yet on the other hand hearing the cry of the afflicted.

Lastly, Elihu with few words reminds his hearers of God's actual judgments. He strikes evildoers who depart from Him; He remembers the cause of the poor and needy. So too, if He acquits and gives quietness, who can condemn? "It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn?" (Rom. 8:33-34). If He hides His face, who can look upon Him?

Do you want to know what God thinks of such behaviour? Then listen to these words of holy indignation: "Behold, the wages of the labourers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts." (James 5:4) "The Lord of hosts" hears the cry of the wronged and disappointed labourer. God will not let anyone heartlessly toss aside the claims of the poor.

Did God hear the cry of the poor? Yes indeed! Did God hear the complaints of Job? Job did not think so. But God does hear, and He will answer in His own time and way… At the moment God had not given quietness to Job, though He certainly did so later.

Then he shows another side, when God gives quietness. God, after all, is always above the devil, despite his restless wickedness. Not only above man, but above Satan and all his power.

If He acquits, gives quietness, who can condemn? "It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn?" (Rom. 8:33-34). If He hides His face, who can look upon Him? He may deal this way with a single individual, or with mankind in general. He puts down evil men so that the people are not ensnared by them.

He may give quietness to the afflicted, and who then can disturb it? He may hide His face from the wicked, and who then can behold Him? And this is true whether a nation is in question or only an individual.

In the goodness of God no external complications arose while Josiah was engaged in his good work. The movements of nations are under divine control. Elihu said truly: "When He gives quietness, who can make trouble?" and he added that this applies to nations as well as to individual men. ... In Jehoshaphat's reign "the realm was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around" (2 Chron. 20:30). ... Is it not better to trust God than to seek safety in treaties and alliances?

God uses each of these cases to put the hypocrite in his place (v.30). A hypocrite would like to hold the place of authority. But his thoughts are moved by his feelings, not by faith. So God's sovereign wisdom defeats him, because God works in a way that does not pamper men's feelings. People are then not trapped by the hypocrite, if they simply believe God.

Did God hear the cry of the poor? Yes indeed! Did God hear the complaints of Job? Job did not think so, but God does hear, and He will answer in His own time and way. Elihu had good reason to ask, "When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble?" (v.29). At the moment God had not given quietness to Job, though He certainly did so later. On the other hand, when God hides His face, who then can understand Him, whether a nation or an individual? God does either of these things when He pleases, and submission to Him is the only proper response from man.

How beautiful and quiet all this is in the middle of utter ruin and confusion. "When He gives quiet, who then can trouble?" Gideon has found the God of peace, and we see him, the accepted worshipper. He is hidden in the secret of God's presence from the pride of man and the strife of tongues.

Lastly, Elihu with few words reminds his hearers of God's actual judgments. He strikes evildoers who depart from Him. He remembers the cause of the poor and needy. So too, if He acquits and gives quietness, who can condemn? "It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn?" (Rom. 8:33-34). He puts down evil men so that the people are not ensnared by them.

The mighty are removed — and not by a human hand. For all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do: the ways of a man and all his steps. He does not need to look at a man a second time before that man goes before God in judgment. Without further scrutiny, He is entitled to break the mighty and to set up others in their place. He takes notice of their deeds and overturns them in a night. They are crushed as wicked and struck openly in front of others. This is for their deliberate slighting of Him and His ways, and in vindication of the poor and oppressed who cried to Him. So truly sovereign is He, and at the same time just and merciful. Nation or man makes no difference, since He is above both — so that a corrupt man may not reign and the people are not ensnared.

Elihu goes on to speak of the searching judgment of God, which is completely impartial. The rich are answerable to it just as much as the poor. Also there is "no darkness, nor shadow of death," where those who do evil can hide themselves. He may hide His face from the wicked — and who then can behold Him? And this is true whether a nation is in question or only an individual.

God uses each of these cases to put the hypocrite in his place (v.30). A hypocrite would like to have the place of authority, but his feelings move his thoughts, not faith. So God's sovereign wisdom defeats him, because God does things in a way that does not pamper men's feelings. People then are not snared by the hypocrite if they simply believe God.

A king may have his faults, but his office is one that demands reverence from men. We are not only to fear God but to honour the king.

If Job has unfairly charged God in this way, he has a most important lesson to learn. What is fitting for someone in his position? Bold claims of self-righteousness and accusations against God? Or the humble admission that he was wrong to harbour such thoughts, with the prayer, "Teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more" (v.32).