Job 34:2

We may well suppose a pause. Was there anything to be answered now? Had they gained a better knowledge of the truth? We must wait for this. Not that Job may not have profited a little, but I fear that we cannot hope it of his friends. Until conscience judges self before God, the mind works for nothing in God's field. Be sure of this: real, steady blessing never comes unless we are broken down ourselves.

Since Job made no reply, Elihu resumed his discourse and, as Job 34:2 shows, had a larger audience in view. He also spoke to the three friends and any other bystanders. 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 twist man's judgment and blind him to what is right.

It seems Elihu is not addressing the three friends as "wise men," nor any particular people. Some have thought he is speaking to the crowd that had gathered to listen to the dispute. That may be true. But the words seem to be a general appeal to the judgment of the wise everywhere and for all time. Elihu is dealing with principles that apply everywhere. The immediate reason for stating them is the examination of Job's attitude.

Since Job had wisely held back from speaking, Elihu makes an appeal to all his hearers, as to wise men (v.2). This reminds us of 1 Corinthians 10:15, "I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say." Having heard Elihu's first words, Job and his friends were wise to listen rather than to speak. They had knowledge enough to know that their knowledge was lacking. But in listening they could test the words of Elihu. He was fully willing for them to make that test (v.3), just as the taste tells whether food is good or not.

The main theme of this chapter is defending God's character against Job's accusations. By implication, if not in so many words, Job had charged God with injustice. This is Elihu's main concern. He does not argue about the terrible crimes the friends charged against Job. He makes no guesses, drops no hints, throws no abuse. His appeal is to man's reason... His appeal to reason, joined with the plain truth about God's nature, leads to a weighty conclusion: Job is the wrongdoer, not God.

"For Job has said, I am righteous" (vv. 2-5). And he was, in the sense in which his three friends denied it; but he was not righteous in glorifying God. No, he found fault with God.

He blames Job out of real faithfulness, mixing correction now and then into all these gracious words. Is this not a needed and happy lesson for our souls too? This is just what the apostle pressed on the Colossians, briefly and forcefully. Elihu's speech was always, we may say, "with grace, seasoned with salt." The seasoning is not missing in this chapter.

He was no flatterer of his hearers, or else he would have been an unworthy witness to the truth... No flatterer can be a faithful preacher of God's message, but the one who would be kept from it must live in the fear of God all day long, or he will be betrayed by the fear of man, or by greed, into what is so hateful to God and so harmful to men.