Job 34:20

Elihu now refutes these implied and direct charges against God. He will defend God's character… He goes into the case fully, and we may note the various parts of his answer. God is righteous: (a) Because He is God (vv. 10-12). (b) Because of His kind care (vv. 13-15). (c) Because of His greatness (vv. 16-20). (d) Because He knows everything (vv. 21-25). (e) Because of His judgment (vv. 26-30).

"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 engaged in a very wise work in dealing with every individual.

In this portion Elihu reminds Job of the dignity and greatness of God. If it is wrong to question the uprightness of a king, to call him Belial, who will dare to charge the All-just with evil? He looks upon princes and paupers alike, and all are the work of His hands. Their life hangs upon His will; in a moment He can cut them off — will we think of such a One as fickle, uncertain or unfair? Pagan nations did picture their gods this way, but for those who know the true God, how impossible it is to have such thoughts.

Men do not have authority over their own lives. In a moment they die, in the middle of the night. The people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away without a hand (v.20). Whatever man may think or say about this, his utter helplessness is evident.

Every now and then God does allow it. And what is the effect? A revolution. People do not know why it happens. But when men keep crying for some change, or something new, God allows it to come, and they are overwhelmed.

Death comes in a moment. The night is half over when a people is shaken and passes away, and the mighty are removed, and not by hand. Everything lies bare and open to the eyes of the God we deal with — the ways of a man and all his steps. No darkness or deep shadow is thick enough to hide those who do evil. He does not need to look a second time at a man before that man goes to God in judgment. He has the right, without further examination, to break the mighty and set up others in their place.

God gives the push to all the heavenly bodies, the earth among them. He gave them their motion, but it is God who keeps it going. Men put this down to natural causes… God it is that keeps everything going, and if God were to withdraw for a moment the immediate action of His power, everything would collapse. That is what Elihu teaches here.

Lastly, in a few words, Elihu reminds his hearers of God's actual judgments. He strikes evildoers who turn away from Him. He remembers the cause of the poor and needy. And if He acquits a man and gives him quiet, who can condemn?… He puts down evil men so that the people are not ensnared by them.