Job 34:1

Having asked Job to speak if he had anything to say, Elihu rightly tells him, "if not, listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom" (v.33). Job then had nothing to say. No doubt he recognised that Elihu's message was higher than he had considered, and he wisely chose to listen.

And now, Job, what have you to say to all this? Elihu desires to bring out Job's true condition — he would not justify his wrong, but treat him with all fairness. He pauses for a reply: Job is not to be coerced, but does he not agree with what has been said? May we not interpret his silence as an acknowledgment of the truth of what we have been dwelling upon?

The wording of the first verse of chapters 34, 35 and 36 divides Elihu's address for us. That leaves only his introduction to the friends and to Job (chapters 32 and 33:1-7), which we mark off from his first main argument (Job 33:8-33). So his address falls into five parts. (1) The emptiness and failure of the controversy (Job 32 — 33:7). (2) God's purpose in chastening (Job 33:8-33). (3) His character vindicated (Job 34). (4) His testing of men (Job 35). (5) His working among men and in nature (Job 36, 37).

The main theme of this chapter is the defence of God's character against Job's slurs. By implication, if not in so many words, Job had charged God with injustice. This is the main concern with Elihu. He is not taken up with arguments about the terrible crimes the friends charged Job with. He makes no guesses, no hints, no abuse. His appeal is to man's reason. He states his facts and presses that God's character must be recognised, and he defends that character from several points of view. He ends this part with a deliberate but gracious appeal: Job should take the place of the lowly learner, so that he may profit from his chastening.

The next point with Elihu is that God must be righteous. Job had said that he himself was righteous, and that God had taken away his judgment. If God were not righteous — indeed, the very fountain of righteousness — how could He govern? ... Elihu urges Job to understand that God is righteous and in His righteousness He can act as He will. Seeing this to be so, the true place for Job was confession.

Job made no response, so Elihu took up his speech again. As Job 34:2 shows, he now had a larger audience in view. He addressed the three friends too, and any others standing by. He challenged them: did they have the wisdom and knowledge to test words and choose what is good and right? He knew well that the effect of sin is to pervert man's judgment and blind him to what is right.

Some have thought he is speaking to the crowd that had gathered to listen to the dispute. That may be true. But the words look like a general appeal to the judgment of the wise, everywhere and for all time. Elihu is handling principles that apply to everyone. What prompts him to speak them now is his examination of Job's attitude.

He blames Job out of sheer faithfulness, mixing his reproof now and then with all these gracious words. Is not this too a needed and happy lesson for our souls? ... Elihu's speech was always, we may say, "gracious, seasoned with salt." That seasoning is not missing in this chapter.