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34:1 Furthermore Elihu answered and said, 34:2 Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
34:3 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
34:4 Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.
34:5 For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.
34:6 Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.
34:7 What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? 34:8 Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
34:9 For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
34:10 Therefore hearken unto me ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
34:11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
34:12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
34:13 Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world? 34:14 If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; 34:15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
34:16 If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
34:17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just? 34:18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly? 34:19 How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
34:20 In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
34:21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
34:22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
34:23 For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.
34:24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
34:25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
34:26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others; 34:27 Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways: 34:28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
34:29 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: 34:30 That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
34:31 Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more: 34:32 That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
34:33 Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
34:34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.
34:35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
34:36 My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.
34:37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.


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Everything King James Bible:Job
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Job
Book: Job
Chapter: 34

Overview:
Elihu accuses Job of charging God with injustice. (1-9) God
cannot be unjust. (10-15) God's power and Providence. (16-30)
Elihu reproves Job. (31-37)

1-9 Elihu calls upon those present to decide with him upon
Job's words. The plainest Christian, whose mind is enlightened,
whose Heart is sanctified By the Spirit of God, and who is
versed in the Scriptures, can say how far matters, words, or
actions, agree with true religion, better than any that lean to
their own understandings. Job had spoken as if he meant wholly
to justify himself. He that says, I have cleansed my hands in
vain, does not only offend against God's children, Ps
73:13-15, but gratifies his enemies, and says as they say.

10-15 Elihu had showed Job, that God meant him No hurt By
afflicting him, but intended his spiritual benefit. Here he
shows, that God did him No wrong By afflicting him. If the
former did not satisfy him, this ought to silence him. God
cannot do wickedness, nor the Almighty commit wrong. If services
now go unrewarded, and sins now go unpunished, yet there is a
Day coming, when God will fully render to every Man according to
his Works. Further, though the believer's final condemnation is
done away through the Saviour's Ransom, yet he has merited worse
than any outward Afflictions; So that No wrong is done to him,
however he may be tried.

16-30 Elihu appeals directly to Job himself. Could he suppose
that God was like those earthly princes, who hate right, who are
unfit to rule, and prove the scourges of mankind? It is daring
presumption to condemn God's proceedings, as Job had done By his
discontents. Elihu suggests divers considerations to Job, to
produce in him high thoughts of God, and So to persuade him to
submit. Job had often wished to plead his cause before God.
Elihu asks, To what purpose? All is Well that God does, and will
be found So. What can make those uneasy, whose souls Dwell at
ease in God? The smiles of all the world cannot quiet those On
whom God frowns.

31-37 When we reprove for what is amiss, we must direct to what
is good. Job's friends would have had him own himself a wicked
Man. Elihu will only oblige him to own that he spoke unadvisedly
with his lips. Let us, in giving reproof, not make a matter
worse than it is. Elihu directs Job to humble himself before God
for his sins, and to accept the Punishment. Also to pray to God
to discover his sins to him. A good Man is willing to know the
worst of himself; particularly, under affliction, he desires to
be told wherefore God contends with him. It is not enough to be
sorry for our sins, but we must go and Sin No more. And if we
are affectionate children, we shall Love to speak with our
Father, and to tell him all our mind. Elihu reasons with Job
concerning his discontent under affliction. We are ready to
think every thing that concerns us should be just as we would
have it; but it is not reasonable to expect this. Elihu asks
whether there was not Sin and folly in what Job said. God is
righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his Works, Ps
145:17. The believer saith, Let my Saviour, my Wise and loving
Lord, choose every thing for me. I am sure that will be wisest,
and the best for his Glory and my good.

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