Job Chapter 34



Well, Elihu proceeds (Job 34), and now he blames Job again. He says, "Hear my words, ye wise men, and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat. Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good. For Job hath said, I am righteous" (vers. 2-5). And he was, in the sense in which his three friends denied; but he was not righteous in glorifying God. No, he found fault with God. "For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment. Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression." Well, he says that is insufferable; such language is highly improper. "What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water "; for there was a good deal of the pride of his heart that came out in Job. "Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity." He says: 'It is bad enough for unbelieving men to say something like that; but you - Job!' "Therefore hearken unto me," etc. Now he appeals to Job. "Who has given him a charge over the earth, or who has disposed all the world?" Who is one that has committed anything to him, to dispose of the whole world? Who has done that for God? "If he set his heart upon man" - He has only to leave man, and he perishes.

You see, Elihu had not in the least that idea which many pious men have now, that all the world goes on well by the principle of gravitation. Well, there is not a doubt God gives an impulse to all the heavenly orbs, and the earth among the rest. He gave them their motion; but then it is God who keeps it up. Men attribute this to second causes. But it is not in the way of motion to be perpetual. That is all a great mistake; there is no such thing, and 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. "If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath - all flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust. If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words. Shall even he that hateth right govern?" That is, he shows the monstrousness of Job finding fault with God. "And wilt thou condemn him that is most just?" "Why," he says, "it is not fit to say so to a king." 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. Here you have it. He was anything but, what people call, in these days, "a liberal." "Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked?" etc. (vers. 18-21), Every now and then God does allow, and what is the effect of it? A revolution. People do not know why it is; but when men are always crying for some change, or something new, God allows it to come, and they are overwhelmed. It is the very thing that they do not want; because the upshot, almost always, of a revolution of men against government is that there is a worse government that follows. But there is a true despot at the same time flattering the people while he is taking advantage of them in every possible way. "For he will not lay upon man more than right," etc. (vers. 23-27).

Then he shows another side, when God gives quietness. God, after all, spite of the restless wickedness of the devil, is always above him. Not only above man, but above Satan and all his power. "When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only; that the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared. Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement" - that is what he was pressing upon Job. "I will not offend any more" etc. (vers. 29-36). Job had spoken very unguardedly. "For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God."