Job 34:1-30
Q.1. What accusations did Elihu make against Job? How did Elihu commend God’s record of justice? What did he say about God’s sovereign right? – (Job 34:1-15)
According to Elihu, Job had claimed – 5 … `I am righteous, But God has taken away my right; 6 … My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ (Job 34:5-6). By defending himself, Job had attracted the derision of his friends, who believed that he was not as innocent as he claimed, and that there was a reason for his suffering (Job 34:7-9). Elihu strongly defended God’s record of justice – 10 … Far be it from God to do wickedness, and from the Almighty to do wrong. 11 “For He pays a man according to his work and makes him find it according to his way. 12 “Surely, God will not act wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice (Job 34:10-12). He asserted God’s right to do as He pleases (Job 34:13-15). It is hard to disagree with Elihu’s view of God. However, this was not the way Jesus treated the suffering whom He encountered, while walking upon earth (c.f. Mt.9:35-36).
Q.2. Why did Elihu dismiss Job’s pleas? What made his view of God’s control over man clinical? Was Elihu fair to Job when he spole the truth? – (Job 34:16-30 c.f. Eph.4:29; Col.4:6)
Q.2. Why did Elihu dismiss Job’s pleas? What made his view of God’s control over man clinical? Was Elihu fair to Job when he spole the truth? – (Job 34:16-30 c.f. Eph.4:29; Col.4:6) = Elihu rightly presented God as perfect and righteous. By comparison, all people come short of His standard – the wicked and even the righteous. Therefore, we should never view man on the same level (Job 34:16-20). We cannot deceive God – 21 “For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, and He sees all his steps. 22 “There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves (Job 34:21-22). Elihu implied that God had found unrighteousness in Job, as He had with the wicked, and that was the reason for his demise (Job 34:24-27). We have no right to complain when God’s ways are hidden from us (Job 34:28-30). God is righteous altogether. It is His prerogative to withhold our requests from us. Elihu’s explanations lack the grace that Christian’s are to display in their interaction with others (c.f. Eph.4:29; Col.4:6).