Job 34:16

It seems Elihu is not speaking to the three friends as "wise men," nor to any particular people. 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 wise people everywhere and for all time. Elihu is dealing with principles that apply to everyone. He brings them out here because he is examining Job's attitude.

He quotes Job's own words (Job 12:11), which look like a proverb. He reminds his hearers that the ear takes in words and tests them, just as the mouth takes in and tastes food. So let them join him as he searches out whether Job's charges are true or false. In the same way our Lord appealed to His hearers, "Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?" and the apostle says, "I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say."

Elihu was a man like Job, but God had given him wisdom. It was enough to let him probe the depths of the illness Job suffered from. It was enough to show Job something of the righteousness of the One he was charging with unfair and harsh dealings. Elihu speaks of the righteousness of God, and out of the whirlwind the Lord speaks of His power. But the true Mediator displays both the righteousness and the power of God, and the love of His heart too, which is the source of all He does in His ways with us.

Job 34 — Elihu's next point 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 fountain of righteousness — how could He govern? ... "Who gave him charge over the earth?" Elihu urges Job to understand that God is righteous, and in His righteousness He can act as He will.

God gives an impulse to all the heavenly bodies, and the earth among them. He gave them their motion; but then it is God who keeps it up. Men attribute this to secondary causes... God keeps everything going. If God withdrew the direct action of His power for one moment, everything would collapse. That is what Elihu teaches here. "If he should set his heart to it and gather to himself his spirit and his breath, all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust. If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say. Shall one who hates justice govern?" He shows how monstrous it is for Job to find fault with God.

Elihu now refutes these implied and direct charges against God. He will vindicate His character... God is righteous: (a) Because He is God (vv. 10-12). (b) Because of His generous care (vv. 13-15). (c) Because of His greatness (vv. 16-20). (d) Because of His all-knowing eye (vv. 21-25). (e) Because of His judgment (vv. 26-30).

In this section Elihu reminds Job of the dignity and greatness of God. If it is wrong to question the uprightness of a king, and to call him worthless, who will dare to charge the All-just One with evil? He looks on princes and paupers alike, and all are the work of His hands. Their life hangs on His will; in a moment He can cut them off — will we think of such a One as fickle, uncertain or unfair?